Competition Events

There are 8 events in this year’s SJC.

Below are the specific guidelines for each division, please read carefully before registering. Aerials are allowed in all events unless otherwise stated.

Like a Virgin: If you’ve never before felt the thrill of entering a swing competition, then you are a competition virgin and eligible for this division! It doesn’t matter how long you have been dancing for, as long as you’ve never competed before (excluding Jack n Jill comps). You must enter as a couple and dance Lindy Hop. Everyone will dance on the floor at the same time in an all-skate.
BPM Range: Medium paced track
Format: All-Skate for 90sec – 2 mins

Showcase: This is an exciting division for individual couples to strut their best by choreographing their own routine to the music of their choosing. Maximum time is 2 mins and 30 seconds for each performance. Swing styles are assumed . This may include Lindy Hop, Balboa, Shag, 20’s Charleston and Blue.

Slow Swing: This division is all about expressing and bringing out the subtleties of the music, now that you have the time and skill to do it. Speed demons, this is not the event for you. Think gentle Lindy more than blues. You must enter as a couple.
BPM Range: less than 130bpm
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 1 blues phrase per spotlight. Each couple will get 2 spotlights (blues phrasing = 6 × 8’s per phrase).

Strictly Lindy: This division is for the pure Lindy lovers. Couples get on the floor and dance Lindy Hop to the music provided. You must enter as a couple.

BPM Range: 160 – 200bpm
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 2 phrases per spotlight. Each couple will get 3 spotlights. There may be a short all-skate before and after the phrase-by-phrase format. Only the final all-skate will be judged.

Fast Foot: This is NOT a Strictly Lindy event. The more Shag, Balboa and 20’s Charleston dancers, the more interesting the event. Dance the style of your choice, or mix them all up! This division is all about speed and style! You must enter as a couple.

BPM Range: 250bmp +
Format: Phrase-by-phrase = 2 phrases per spotlight. Each couple will get 3 spotlights. There may be a short all-skate before and after the phrase-by-phrase format. Only the final all-skate will be judged.

All Balboa Jam: Balboa lovers, this is your chance to showcase this shuffly dance we love so much. This division is not necessarily about pace, it’s about style and finesse and your chance to demonstrate an understanding of what Bal is all about! You must enter as a couple and dance Balboa (Pure Bal and/or Bal-swing) to the music provided.

BPM Range: 180 – 220bpm
Format: Single Spotlight of 60-90 seconds. There may be a short all-skate before and after the phrase-by-phrase format. Only the final all-skate will be judged.

Solo Charleston: It’s solo… it’s Charleston… there are no other rules! We’ll provide the music and using a phrase-by-phrase format competitors will bust it out with their best 20’s Charleston moves. Depending on the number of competitors, there may the need for heats and a final. The crazier, the better!

Jack and Jill: This event is for everyone and anyone of any level to jump in, and have some fun. In a Jack n Jill dancers are judged on their ability to lead/follow. Dancers will also be expected to dance lindy hop and will be judged accordingly as per the judging criteria. You enter as an individual and you don’t know who your partner will be… it’s completely random!

Heats: Your partners will be determined randomly. You will dance to 3 tracks, of various tempos – with a different partner each time. You will be judged individually.
Note: There are 20 lead places and 20 follow places available in the Jack and Jill heat. Places will be filled on a first come first served basis, so get in quickly!

Finals: Your competition number will be pulled out of a hat to determine your final partner. All couples will dance in three sections: all-skate, spotlight, all-skate…all approximately 60 sec long. You will be judged as a team.

Informal Events:
There are no rules, no judging criteria, no entry fee and no trophy… You just need to turn up on the night, put your name on the list and go for it. Judged by audience appreciation.

Heel Slide: Who can slide on their heels unassisted for the longest? Audience will be the judge, so make them love you!

Please read the Competitor Information and Judging Criteria before registering for any event. Please contact us if you have any queries.