Faqs

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What is WestCoastSwing?

WestCoastSwing is a partner dance which originates from the USA. It's origins can be traced back to 1940s or even earlier. It is still evolving today and a lot of it's current popularity relates to it's contemporary styling, inspirational, young champions and use of modern rnb music. WestCoastSwing is danced along a slot (a straight line) and a lot of its look stems from its emphasis on elasticity, stretch and compression. It is also recognised by its smoothness and stylish syncopations. Although there is a lot of flexibility and creativity, initially it is important to understand and internalise the patterns and footwork counts. WestCoastSwing is a very pure lead and follow dance but the role that the follow plays is much more significant than in many other partner dances. This is one reason why so many women find it so liberating and exhilerating.

What is WestCoastSwing BootCamp?

Most of us are familiar with the bootcamp concept. Originally army associated it is now frequently seen in other areas (including mainstream business, reality tv talent shows and in US it is common for dance events). For us bootcamp is all about hardwork, no-pain-nogain atmosphere, firm but supportive instructors, shared experience with like minded individuals and perhaps most importantly the feeling of reward associated with successfully passing through bootcamp.

Why did you develop WestCoastSwing BootCamp?

Quite simply we love dancing WestCoastSwing and want to see more people enjoy it. It is a wonderful addition to your dance repertoire in its own right but it also adds elements of musicality and frame back into your other dancing. We also want to get beginners dancing WestCoastSwing more quickly and with more confidence. Due to it’s more technical and precise nature WestCoastSwing can initially be quite a steep learning curve even for a reasonable modern jiver.

Why is WestCoastSwing BootCamp different from other programmes?

Intensity - We believe you need to dance an awful lot of WestCoastSwing to feel the dance and get some confidence in it. Our one day bootcamp includes 6 hours of WestCoastSwing tuition in one hit. With the included post tuition practica and decaDance evening freestyle event add another 5 or 6 hours to that total! Most beginners workshops are only a couple of hours and even a starter course will only be maybe 5 or 6 hours spread over probably a couple of months.

Learning tools - Even with the best will in the world we all forget probably 80% of what we have been told. We will provide a clear set of notes which will demystify WestCoastSwing and consolidate the teaching and will be a useful reference.

Teachers - We deliberately partnered with teachers who not only are internationally respected but are an experienced partnership equally strong individually and together. This will accelerate the learning for both lead and follows. The combination of their fantastic teaching and our more intensive and structured syllabus will we believe help to deliver some breakthrough results.

Socialising -This weekend will also be fun! After the tuition we will all go for a nice meal in a sectioned off area of a local pub/restaurant. The day will end with a very special decaDance where will be joined by another 100 or so dancers for a great late night multiple room freestyle. A key highlight will of course be where Paul and Catriona will perform their breathtaking cabaret.

Who is WestCoastSwing BootCamp aimed at?

ANYONE who has ever harboured a burning desire to dance this smooth beautiful dance AND is willing to put in the effort required to make that desire a reality. You may have seen it danced at a dance freestyle, taken a taster class or two at a dance weekender or seen an inspiring You Tube video of the top US pros.

Is WestCoastSwing BootCamp for me?

To help answer this we have given you a little checklist to consider:

Required

Desire! You will need to work hard and probably suffer a bit of frustration along the way to make the most out of the weekend.

Stamina and Concentration. We will cover A LOT of ground on this day and Paul and Catriona teach clearly, patiently but very efficiently. There is no padding or waffle. You will be on your feet a long time so obviously need to be fit and healthy. You also need to be able to concentrate and focus on the techniques and concepts.

Not Required at all

Any previous experience of WestCoastSwing. The course is designed for total beginners. Of course improvers are welcome and will still benefit from revising their technique with such fantastic teachers. The best westcoastswing dancers still spend an lot of time perfecting and refining the steps and patterns you will learn at bootcamp.

A partner. You do not need to book with a partner although if you can do it does help balance lead and follows. We will rotate classes throughout and much of the teaching in fact splits leads and follows anyway.

Not Required but can sometimes be helpful

Any previous partner dance experience. You do not NEED to have experience of other dance styles to enjoy and become confident in WestCoastSwing. Many people successfully start their partner dance journey with WestCoastSwing and never dance another style.

Similarly, many social dancers of other styles enjoy the fresh challenge WestCoastSwing provides. If you have danced other styles before you may find it helpful at the start. Some general concepts (like frame, posture, connection, lead +follow) are similar and some steps may even look familiar. However you must be prepared to start with an open mind and accept that it is a different dance and you will be a beginner again.

Do I need a partner?

See above

Do I need to be a dancer?

See above.

How will the teaching be structured?

Teaching will be aimed at getting you familiar with the basic musicality, patterns and footwork to start WestCoastSwing. We will then expand on these basics with a number of stylish and useful variations. You will also importantly learn the tools/tips to confidently string them together and freestyle. The precise syllabus will be published in advance and handouts will reflect this.

Paul and Catriona advocate rotation of partners but you can of course practice with your partner between the teaching sessions. You also will spend a lot of time learning separately the lead and follow roles. We will recap previous learnings at all stages and try and link relevant elements together.