Dancing in the Rain!

Not so sunny Whitby

This morning the car turned north up the A1 to Whitby. This is a very much looked forward to event on the calendar although today the weather didn’t exactly give us a warm welcome with rain all the way. Nevertheless, there was a warm and friendly welcome when we arrived in the beautiful Spa Ballroom.

At this event we usually just have a team of adult competitors but for the first time we were joined by Tabatha and April who danced as a couple in all the juvenile events within their age group. This meant they had to learn to dance together the waltz, quickstep, tango, cha cha cha, jive and samba. An achievement before the day had even begun!

The day started with the ballroom section and the largest entry of the day was the Open Adult waltz and quickstep which started off with 30 couples.  Andrew & Dawn, Paul & Karen, Craig & Karly and Chris & Serena all made it to the last 13 couples. Andrew & Dawn made it one round further to the semi final and Chris & Serena made it two rounds further making the final, being placed a very worthy 5th. In the age categories, Paul & Karen won their event with Chris & Serena 5th and Andrew & Dawn also won their age group. In the children’s events, Tabatha & April were recalled twice in the open under 12yrs, making the semi final. In the juvenile all girls they were also recalled twice, to make the final, being placed 6th and in the 8-9yrs they came 4th. 

It was then time for the sequence events. In the Adult Sindy Swing, all four couples made it to the semi final. Then three couples progressed to the final. With Andrew & Dawn coming 2nd, Craig & Karly 6th and Paul & Karen 7th.

It was then time for the ‘fun’ Mayfair quickstep competition, where we had some new partnerships, Karly with April, Chris with Dawn, Andrew with Serena, Craig with Tabatha, Paul with Julie (Craig’s Mum) and Karen with Rob (Karly’s Dad). Everyone entered into the spirit of the event. Nearly everyone got a recall. Then progressing another round to the semi final were Chris & Dawn, Andrew & Karly, Craig & Tabatha and Rob & Karen. Making it one more round to the final were Chris & Dawn finishing 6th and Andrew & Serena finishing 2nd.

It was then the last section of the day, the Latin American. The Open Adult rumba and jive was again the largest event with everyone getting at least a recall and Craig & Karly, Paul & Karen and Andrew & Dawn reaching the semi final. In the ages groups, Andrew & Dawn won their event. Paul & Karen were 2nd in their event with Chris & Serena coming 5th. 

Tabatha and April changed roles for the Latin American events with April taking the lead role this time. They came 7th in their age group, achieved a recall in the all girls event and worked their way through two recalls in the under 12yrs open event.

Overall, it was a lovely day, the atmosphere was warm and friendly with great music inspiring both the dancers and supporters alike.

Then after a long day of dancing we went for our usual reward of fish and chips at the Magpie. Why is it fish always tastes better at the seaside??

This type of event is going to be repeated twice in 2020 in April and again in October therefore, we hope there will be lots of enthusiasm to join the group for a lovely day out of dancing at the seaside.

All eyes are now turning towards Blackpool, with the sequence championships next weekend closely followed by the medallist grand finals at the end of the month…..keep dancing!!!!!