I actually compete country and not ballroom. In UCWDC, there's a 30-39 age class separate from the open levels.

My partner and I are trying to get good enough to be competitive in the open divisions before we hit the 40-49 class .

Gilbert,
I do not know the reason that Latin technique is ignored. I am only going by what I see in the professional and amateur competitions at the championship level. When the UK and World Latin professional Champion can appear at an large comp and dance only the Gold syllabus and take first place leads me to believe that he feels the same as I. I have shown tapes of that competition to both dancers and nondancers and they all have commented on what great dancers that couple were and how good they looked compared to the competition.

Gilbert- My wife and I dance the 9 American and the 10 International. We favor The Smooth (Open)and Standard (Gold)dances, but also enjoy the Rhythm (Gold)and Latin (Silver). We will soon be starting new open routines in Rhythm to catch up with our Smooth- to make it a true 9 Dance. It takes more time than 2 hours. We usually practice one and sometimes two styles each time- usually a run through with corrections, until routine(s) feel better. On lessons, we spend one to two hours on a single dance.

David,
So are you saying that the judges don't pay as much attention to technique in latin as they do in standard? I would like to know why if this is the case.

here's a question for everyone:

How many of you compete in both the standard and the latin? For those of you that do, is it difficult to keep all 10 dances well practiced? I've only learned six right now and I barely have enough time to get through all of them in two hours.

Gilbert

Belle1,
My partner and I are both over 50 and we have had to compete in A due to no one in over 35 or over 50 categories. We have placed 4th in a field of 7 in A with a second in foxtrot. Age is not always a limitation. Occasionally, age prejudice sways the judges decision and we find ourselves in last place. I am referring to standard not latin where older dancers always look heavy. Present day latin is designed for the young people, unfortunately. If technique was considered, in latin as it often is in standard then age would not be a factor.

I started dancing/competing when I was 25. Now, at 11 years later, I still compete, at higher levels (PreChamp/Champ in Amer. Smooth, Sil/Gold in Intl Standard, Gold/Novice in Amer. Rhythm, and Silver in Intl Latin). We compete in the 'A'&'B'age groups. We realize that we're not 18 or 25, for that matter, but feel that we can still compete competitively against them. We'll find out after next weekend at Nationals. I feel that it is more of a motivation and 'going to win' factor than it is an age factor. A couple needs to be motivated and to keep their goal in mind at all times, especially when practicing and competing.
Belle1- at 33, you should still be dancing at the 'A' age level, wait a couple more years, then you can join us older folks. Good luck to all, competitors and social dancers, keep in mind your goals, to have fun, and to enjoy this wonderful sport/art.

Hi Gilbert:

24 years old is not too old at all. I wish I were your age again!! So much more I could do, if I were 24. Keep dancing pal !!!

Regards,

Keh Gough

I didn't start until I was 27, and I am competing this year at 33.

Your question is really, could you make the top level? I can't answer that question for you, but I can tell you this: if you really love to dance and love to compete, it won't matter if you're in the top open levels or in the old people's division (like me LOL), it still feels good to be the best. And even though you might not get international accolades, you're still a big fish in the pond.

BTW, my instructor started at age 20 and was a champion at the highest levels of Country dance by age 27. I'm sure a lot of open ballroom competitors are in their 30s, so you're not too far behind in time. I think at the highest levels it's less a matter of time and more a matter of pure, raw talent and plain old good luck!