Saturday 7 October brought more fun to the Rivoli Ballroom in South East London, with over 100 participants coming through the door to either compete or spectate in the 12th Annual Fun Competition,aimed at same sex dancers and mixed couples. This relaxed and fun atmosphere gives first time competitors the opportunity to compete, without the whole experience being as overwhelming or scary as it can quite often be when you compete at a regular competition either here in the UK or overseas.
Competition organiser, Vernon Kemp said: “This competition also gives experienced competitors who, for one reason or another, no longer have a regular partner and no longer compete, a chance to get back on the dance floor perhaps with a sequence dance or a single dance test. Through change partner competitions and line dance categories, participants are able to complete even if they don’t have a partner, so it really is easily accessible to everyone!” Vernon went on to say: “The competition was a huge success, fulfilling its aims and encouraging dancers old and new to the floor”.
The competition has a single adjudicator, and this year the team was delighted that Jill Kemp (Fellow and Examiner IDTA with no relation to Vernon!) was willing to oversee such a busy schedule. Jill told us: “I had a wonderful afternoon and have never seen so many happy dancers in a competition.” It’s no surprise this is called a ‘Fun Competition’ when it seems to be the place to be to strut your stuff on the dance floor amongst friends, old and new. There is always a ‘starter’ category, which is solely for dancers who have never completed in any type of Ballroom or Latin competition. We were delighted to see completely new winners from London and Shropshire take first place in the Waltz and Cha Cha Cha section of this programme. We love seeing new couples, even if they only decide to compete on the day – it’s really that spontaneous!
Pete Meager, Publicity Secretary – UKSSDC says: “Attracting new social dancers into the competitive circuit is very important to us. We spend a huge amount of resource attracting new couples to the floor and are absolutely delighted when new partnerships are formed at the fun competition which then produce some highly successful results on the day”.
The Fun Competition will be back again in October 2018, and we look forward to seeing many new comers as next year’s registration. Further details will be available nearer the time at www.funcompetition.co.uk