COMPETITIONS FOR BEST OF THE BEST
The Best of the Best Event is a World Swing Dance Council (“WSDC”) Registry Event with points allocated in the Jack & Jill competitions! (Excluding Sophisticated)
POINT TIERS & POINTS AWARDED CHART Tiers are defined only by the number of Competitors (see Tier size below) in a specific Jack and Jill division at a WSDC Registry Member Event, and not by the size of the event. The greater the number of Competitors within a division, the higher the Tier, and the greater the points potential. The Points Award per Tier chart lists the points awarded to a Competitor according to their placement in the finals.
POINT TIERS & POINTS AWARDED CHART Tiers are defined only by the number of Competitors (see Tier size below) in a specific Jack and Jill division at a WSDC Registry Member Event, and not by the size of the event. The greater the number of Competitors within a division, the higher the Tier, and the greater the points potential. The Points Award per Tier chart lists the points awarded to a Competitor according to their placement in the finals.
COMPETITIONS: JACK & JILL COMPETITION
Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight skills in spontaneous WCS dancing and the ability to dance well with a variety of partners. Competitors enter as individuals, are randomly assigned partners, and dance to music pre-selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ. Competitors must enter as either "leaders" and/or "followers" regardless of gender. This event is gender neutral but once a competitor enters a division as a leader or follower they must remain that throughout the whole of the event.
DRESS PANTS/SLACKS & BUTTON UP SHIRTS are a requirement of competing in all Jack & Jill divisions. Jeans or Tee Shirts will get a penalty or disqualification.
The Best of the Best West Coast Swing Jack & Jill guidelines:
CATEGORIES:
Newcomer
A person eligible to compete in the Newcomer division is someone who has been dancing West Coast Swing for less than 12 months and has not earned any Novice points.
Novice Category
A person should compete in Novice if they have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category. If a person is competing in the Intermediate (or Higher) Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Intermediate Jack & Jill requirements individually (i.e. they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category.
Competitors are eligible to move to Intermediate with 16 Novice points. At 30 points, the competitor must begin competing in Intermediate.
Intermediate Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the Intermediate if they have earned 16 or more Novice points. Competitors should compete in Intermediate if they have already competed at the Intermediate level and/or hold Intermediate points (and don't qualify for a higher category). If a person is competing in the Advanced/All-Star Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Advanced/All-Star Jack & Jill requirements individually (i.e. they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category. Competitors are eligible to move to Advanced with 30 Intermediate points. At 45 Intermediate points the competitor must move to Advanced.
Advanced Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the Advanced Category if they have earned 30 or more Intermediate points. Competitors should compete in Advanced if they already have competed at the Advanced level and/or hold Advanced points (and don't qualify for a higher category). Competitors can move to All Star with 45 Advanced points that have been achieved in the last 36 months. Advanced dancers that have achieved 60 points in the last 36 months must move to All Star.
All-Star Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the All-Star Category if they have already earned 45 or more Advanced points. Competitors should compete in All-Star if they already have competed at the All-Star level and/or hold All-Star points (and don't qualify for a higher category).
Sophisticated Category (not WSDC)
The Sophisticated Category is an additional fun division for persons over the age of 35 years! No World Swing Dance Council points will be allocated in this category. Persons over 35 years can dance in their respective category level as well as the Sophisticated Category.
Pro-Am Jack & Jill (Maximum of 16 leads and 16 follows)
The division is a fun division for Amateur leads & follows at the Novice and Intermediate level. Amateur dancers will dance with professionals in the preliminary rotation. The final will be an all skate. The best 3 Amateur leads and follows will be awarded trophies.
Please note that each category will only proceed if 5 or more leads and 5 or more follow pre-register for the relevant category.
STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION
The Strictly Swing Competition is a social dancing competition where the competing couples choose their own partner and enter as a couple. It is meant to be fun & to show off how well you can lead & follow.
The Best of the Best Strictly Swing guidelines:
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
Couples should compete in Novice if both dancers have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category.
Intermediate Category
Couples should compete in Intermediate if one or both dancers qualify for the Intermediate Jack & Jill Competition.
Advanced/All-Star Category
Couples should compete in Advanced/All-Star if one or both dancers qualify for the Advanced Jack & Jill Competition or higher.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR JACK & JILL & STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION:
Spotlight dances (one couple on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Advanced and All-Star divisions only. Semi-spotlight dances (3-5 couples on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Novice, Intermediate, and Pro-Am divisions followed by an 'All Skate' round.
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings of each category.
To enter the Jack & Jill or Strictly Swing please pre-register online when you purchase your event pass. In the event of changes to your competition entry please email BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com.
Competition Entry fees: Please note that the competition entry fees are already included in the Full Pass price. If you haven't purchased a full event pass then you will need to pay the nominated fees for the individual event.
PRO-AM Routine Division
This division is designed to develop routine dancers and showcase an amateur dancing with their Professional instructor.
Pro-Am routine division must contain 80% WCS content.
Lifts and Aerials are not allowed. Drops are permitted. Each Pro is limited to three (3) students.
To qualify for this Pro/Am Routine Category, there must be an instructor/student relationship. An Amateur is someone who HAS NOT RECEIVED payment for teaching or for teaching privates. A Professional is someone who HAS RECEIVED payment for teaching group classes, private lessons or been paid for a dance show or demonstration in the last three years.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
RISING STAR ROUTINE COMPETITION-Dancer Eligibility
To participate in the 2019 Rising Star Tour (RST), each dancer must
1. Planning Ahead. Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on time for all meetings & competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.
2. Knowing the Rules. All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the contestant meeting for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be asked at the contestant meeting or addressed in advance to the Contest Coordinator or the Chief Judge.
3. Be Prepared to Compete. Competitors should be present in the main ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers – please keep them safe for the duration of the event.
4. Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct. Competitors must demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on & off the competition floor. Competitors must also refrain from any behaviour that the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behaviour may result in disqualification.
5. Discussing the Competitions Only Where Appropriate. Competitors may only discuss the competitions with the contest officials or judges using appropriate channels. Please do not approach judges seeking advice on their decisions.
6. Waiver. By entering any of the competitions above you expressly grant the directors of Best of the Best, and it's assignees, licensees, vendors, and legal representatives the unlimited right and authority to use your name and any photograph or video recording of your participation at Best of the Best in any and all media, in whatever manner, for any lawful purpose, without any obligation to you. You further agree for yourself and your heirs, executors and administrators, to waive and release any and all rights for damage you might have against the Directors of Best of the Best for any injuries and damages you may suffer by participating in this event and during your travel to and from the event.
WORLD SWING DANCE COUNCIL POINTS ALLOCATED:
Points are awarded and then recorded by the World Swing Dance Council for the winners and place getters (and possibly finalists) of the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced Jack & Jill Competitions. (Points are not recorded for the Strictly Swing Competitions).
The WSDC then tracks points for every competitor and these points are used to identify the category a person should compete in.
There must be a minimum number of five couples per category for points to be recorded.
Eligibility for each category will be applicable at the time of the competition and WSDC Points will be checked on the day of the competition if they need to be clarified.
You may be able, based on availability, to enter the competition upon arrival at the event during check-in at the Best of the Best Registration Desk if you haven't already pre-registered (no exceptions will be made if the contest registration has already closed). Any changes to your pre-registration can be made at the event by attending the Competition Registration Desk.
If you want to enter a category for which you do not meet the entry requirements stated or want to change categories, you may submit a petition. Please indicate same on your entry form at the time of competition registration.
Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. (Please do not attend minutes before the closing of registration!)
Petitions for reclassification will be reviewed by the Contest Coordinator, in consultation with the Chief Judge & it will be approved or denied based on your reasons and dance history. Contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome 'should it not be granted'.
The Organiser reserves the right to re-classify any contestant for any reason.
It is the Organisers goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair & appropriate classification using the honour system.
In the event that competitors classify themselves incorrectly, & the error is discovered before the start of the competition in question, they will be given the option to reclassify themselves correctly or withdraw.
If you have competed previously in a WSDC event and you are unsure of points you may have, and therefore you would like to check on the amount of points you have, please see the http://www.worldsdc.com/registry-points/ and search for your name under the Points Registry Search section and click Find Dancer
Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight skills in spontaneous WCS dancing and the ability to dance well with a variety of partners. Competitors enter as individuals, are randomly assigned partners, and dance to music pre-selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ. Competitors must enter as either "leaders" and/or "followers" regardless of gender. This event is gender neutral but once a competitor enters a division as a leader or follower they must remain that throughout the whole of the event.
DRESS PANTS/SLACKS & BUTTON UP SHIRTS are a requirement of competing in all Jack & Jill divisions. Jeans or Tee Shirts will get a penalty or disqualification.
The Best of the Best West Coast Swing Jack & Jill guidelines:
- No lifts are allowed (lifts will be determined as both follow’s feet leaving the ground).
- Dancers will be judged individually in the the preliminary heats and semi-finals and as a couple in the final.
CATEGORIES:
Newcomer
A person eligible to compete in the Newcomer division is someone who has been dancing West Coast Swing for less than 12 months and has not earned any Novice points.
Novice Category
A person should compete in Novice if they have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category. If a person is competing in the Intermediate (or Higher) Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Intermediate Jack & Jill requirements individually (i.e. they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category.
Competitors are eligible to move to Intermediate with 16 Novice points. At 30 points, the competitor must begin competing in Intermediate.
Intermediate Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the Intermediate if they have earned 16 or more Novice points. Competitors should compete in Intermediate if they have already competed at the Intermediate level and/or hold Intermediate points (and don't qualify for a higher category). If a person is competing in the Advanced/All-Star Strictly Swing competition but does not meet the Advanced/All-Star Jack & Jill requirements individually (i.e. they are dancing up because of their partner), that person may compete in this category. Competitors are eligible to move to Advanced with 30 Intermediate points. At 45 Intermediate points the competitor must move to Advanced.
Advanced Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the Advanced Category if they have earned 30 or more Intermediate points. Competitors should compete in Advanced if they already have competed at the Advanced level and/or hold Advanced points (and don't qualify for a higher category). Competitors can move to All Star with 45 Advanced points that have been achieved in the last 36 months. Advanced dancers that have achieved 60 points in the last 36 months must move to All Star.
All-Star Category
A person is eligible to commence competing in the All-Star Category if they have already earned 45 or more Advanced points. Competitors should compete in All-Star if they already have competed at the All-Star level and/or hold All-Star points (and don't qualify for a higher category).
Sophisticated Category (not WSDC)
The Sophisticated Category is an additional fun division for persons over the age of 35 years! No World Swing Dance Council points will be allocated in this category. Persons over 35 years can dance in their respective category level as well as the Sophisticated Category.
Pro-Am Jack & Jill (Maximum of 16 leads and 16 follows)
The division is a fun division for Amateur leads & follows at the Novice and Intermediate level. Amateur dancers will dance with professionals in the preliminary rotation. The final will be an all skate. The best 3 Amateur leads and follows will be awarded trophies.
Please note that each category will only proceed if 5 or more leads and 5 or more follow pre-register for the relevant category.
STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION
The Strictly Swing Competition is a social dancing competition where the competing couples choose their own partner and enter as a couple. It is meant to be fun & to show off how well you can lead & follow.
The Best of the Best Strictly Swing guidelines:
- Slacks/Dress Pants & Button Up Shirts are required when competing.
- No choreography is allowed, and the dance should be spontaneous lead and follow style
- No 'costumes' are allowed. Matching or complementary (classy) outfits are acceptable.
- Drops, leans, circular movements & other partner weight support moves are allowed if both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.
- The competitors will not know the music they are dancing to and the music will be randomly selected by the Best of the Best Head DJ.
CATEGORIES:
Novice Category
Couples should compete in Novice if both dancers have earned fewer than 15 Novice points and do not otherwise qualify for the Intermediate category.
Intermediate Category
Couples should compete in Intermediate if one or both dancers qualify for the Intermediate Jack & Jill Competition.
Advanced/All-Star Category
Couples should compete in Advanced/All-Star if one or both dancers qualify for the Advanced Jack & Jill Competition or higher.
GENERAL COMPETITION INFORMATION FOR JACK & JILL & STRICTLY SWING COMPETITION:
Spotlight dances (one couple on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Advanced and All-Star divisions only. Semi-spotlight dances (3-5 couples on the dance floor at a time) will be held for the Novice, Intermediate, and Pro-Am divisions followed by an 'All Skate' round.
Trophies will be awarded to the first 3 placings of each category.
To enter the Jack & Jill or Strictly Swing please pre-register online when you purchase your event pass. In the event of changes to your competition entry please email BestoftheBestWCS@gmail.com.
Competition Entry fees: Please note that the competition entry fees are already included in the Full Pass price. If you haven't purchased a full event pass then you will need to pay the nominated fees for the individual event.
PRO-AM Routine Division
This division is designed to develop routine dancers and showcase an amateur dancing with their Professional instructor.
Pro-Am routine division must contain 80% WCS content.
Lifts and Aerials are not allowed. Drops are permitted. Each Pro is limited to three (3) students.
To qualify for this Pro/Am Routine Category, there must be an instructor/student relationship. An Amateur is someone who HAS NOT RECEIVED payment for teaching or for teaching privates. A Professional is someone who HAS RECEIVED payment for teaching group classes, private lessons or been paid for a dance show or demonstration in the last three years.
Music must be no less than 2 minutes and no more than 3 minutes.
RISING STAR ROUTINE COMPETITION-Dancer Eligibility
To participate in the 2019 Rising Star Tour (RST), each dancer must
- Be eighteen (18) years or older by the end of any qualifying event during the tour year. Please check with individual event directors if they will allow dancers 15-17 years old to participate in the Rising Star (RS) division without tour points.
- Never have placed or made a qualifying final of a NASDE Classic or Showcase division.
- Not have Champion or Invitational WSDC points within the last ten (10) years.
- Never have won the RST top point award in previous seasons.
- Individuals may petition the RST committee no less than seven (7) days prior to the event at which they wish to compete.
- Never have placed top three (3) in the US Open RS division.
- Individuals may petition the RST committee no less than seven (7) days prior to the event at which they wish to compete.
- Win the RST top point award for 2020.
- (or) Place top two (2) in the 2020 US Open Swing Dance Championship RS Classic division or RS Showcase division.
- (or) Choose to dance in the NASDE Tour in the hopes of acquiring NASDE points
- As Rising Star is a cash Prize Division, the fee is not included in the Event Pass and must be paid to compete. If there are insufficient competitors to make the division, then the competitor can perform their routines and receive judge’s feedback on their performance and the entry fee will be refunded.
1. Planning Ahead. Competitors should check the weekend schedule in advance in order to arrive in time to meet registration deadlines. They should bring appropriate competition attire. They should also plan ahead so as to be on time for all meetings & competitions. Competitors are responsible for checking at the event for any changes to previously announced schedules, which are always subject to change.
2. Knowing the Rules. All competitors should read these rules carefully prior to attending the contestant meeting for their competition. Competitors are responsible for adhering to these rules whether they have read them or not. Questions about the rules should be asked at the contestant meeting or addressed in advance to the Contest Coordinator or the Chief Judge.
3. Be Prepared to Compete. Competitors should be present in the main ballroom at least 15 minutes prior to the start of their competition. Competitors are responsible for their bib numbers – please keep them safe for the duration of the event.
4. Demonstrating Good Sporting Conduct. Competitors must demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on & off the competition floor. Competitors must also refrain from any behaviour that the judges deem inappropriate. Failure to adhere to this code of behaviour may result in disqualification.
5. Discussing the Competitions Only Where Appropriate. Competitors may only discuss the competitions with the contest officials or judges using appropriate channels. Please do not approach judges seeking advice on their decisions.
6. Waiver. By entering any of the competitions above you expressly grant the directors of Best of the Best, and it's assignees, licensees, vendors, and legal representatives the unlimited right and authority to use your name and any photograph or video recording of your participation at Best of the Best in any and all media, in whatever manner, for any lawful purpose, without any obligation to you. You further agree for yourself and your heirs, executors and administrators, to waive and release any and all rights for damage you might have against the Directors of Best of the Best for any injuries and damages you may suffer by participating in this event and during your travel to and from the event.
WORLD SWING DANCE COUNCIL POINTS ALLOCATED:
Points are awarded and then recorded by the World Swing Dance Council for the winners and place getters (and possibly finalists) of the Novice, Intermediate & Advanced Jack & Jill Competitions. (Points are not recorded for the Strictly Swing Competitions).
The WSDC then tracks points for every competitor and these points are used to identify the category a person should compete in.
There must be a minimum number of five couples per category for points to be recorded.
Eligibility for each category will be applicable at the time of the competition and WSDC Points will be checked on the day of the competition if they need to be clarified.
You may be able, based on availability, to enter the competition upon arrival at the event during check-in at the Best of the Best Registration Desk if you haven't already pre-registered (no exceptions will be made if the contest registration has already closed). Any changes to your pre-registration can be made at the event by attending the Competition Registration Desk.
If you want to enter a category for which you do not meet the entry requirements stated or want to change categories, you may submit a petition. Please indicate same on your entry form at the time of competition registration.
Competitors must submit such petitions at the contest registration desk prior to the earliest registration deadline for the competition(s) in question. (Please do not attend minutes before the closing of registration!)
Petitions for reclassification will be reviewed by the Contest Coordinator, in consultation with the Chief Judge & it will be approved or denied based on your reasons and dance history. Contestants will be notified as quickly as possible of the outcome 'should it not be granted'.
The Organiser reserves the right to re-classify any contestant for any reason.
It is the Organisers goal to encourage all competitors to assign themselves to a fair & appropriate classification using the honour system.
In the event that competitors classify themselves incorrectly, & the error is discovered before the start of the competition in question, they will be given the option to reclassify themselves correctly or withdraw.
If you have competed previously in a WSDC event and you are unsure of points you may have, and therefore you would like to check on the amount of points you have, please see the http://www.worldsdc.com/registry-points/ and search for your name under the Points Registry Search section and click Find Dancer
Attendance Disclaimer (Purchasing a Pass of Any Type is acceptance of this disclaimer)
-I understand West Coast Swing is a physical activity undertaken by choice at my own risk and I hereby release Best of the Best WCS, any Best of the Best WCS staff (paid or unpaid) and/or any independent contractor engaged (paid or unpaid) by Best of the Best WCS from any claim, demand, action, suit, cause of action and/or liability in relation to any damage, injury or loss suffered whether or not arising as a result of the negligence of, or breach of duty by, Best of the Best WCS, and or any paid or unpaid Best of the Best WCS staff and/or any independent contractor engaged by Best of the Best WCS.
-I understand that no alcohol may be brought into the ballroom other than that purchased at the venue, and doing so puts future events at risk, and that if caught I may be asked to leave the event with no refund given.
-I understand that it is my responsibility if I choose to compete to ensure my own safety and that of other competitors, as well as treating other competitors respectfully. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification from competitions at the discretion of the event directors and head judge.
-I understand that there is strictly a no refund policy. Tickets may be transferred and the transfer process is the ticket holders’ responsibility.
-Social pass holders are not permitted in ballroom during workshops and are not allowed to be a part of the Hollywood Style Red Carpet Event without purchasing the Hollywood Style Red Carpet Event add on.
-Thursday Intensive, Thursday Workshop/Dance Party, Sunday Communal Dinner, Meals and Accommodation are paid separately to Event passes.
-Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and supervised at all times.
-I understand West Coast Swing is a physical activity undertaken by choice at my own risk and I hereby release Best of the Best WCS, any Best of the Best WCS staff (paid or unpaid) and/or any independent contractor engaged (paid or unpaid) by Best of the Best WCS from any claim, demand, action, suit, cause of action and/or liability in relation to any damage, injury or loss suffered whether or not arising as a result of the negligence of, or breach of duty by, Best of the Best WCS, and or any paid or unpaid Best of the Best WCS staff and/or any independent contractor engaged by Best of the Best WCS.
-I understand that no alcohol may be brought into the ballroom other than that purchased at the venue, and doing so puts future events at risk, and that if caught I may be asked to leave the event with no refund given.
-I understand that it is my responsibility if I choose to compete to ensure my own safety and that of other competitors, as well as treating other competitors respectfully. Failure to do so may result in the disqualification from competitions at the discretion of the event directors and head judge.
-I understand that there is strictly a no refund policy. Tickets may be transferred and the transfer process is the ticket holders’ responsibility.
-Social pass holders are not permitted in ballroom during workshops and are not allowed to be a part of the Hollywood Style Red Carpet Event without purchasing the Hollywood Style Red Carpet Event add on.
-Thursday Intensive, Thursday Workshop/Dance Party, Sunday Communal Dinner, Meals and Accommodation are paid separately to Event passes.
-Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and supervised at all times.
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2019 All-Star Champions
Zac Skinner & Maddy Platts |