Think back to your first competition, what did you wish you'd known before your first competition that you only found out at the competition ? Looking for some first time competing advice, gottas etc. This is more geared towards amateur american smooth and maybe rhythm style competition events, but i am sure any styles advice will apply.
What competition did you compete in as first timer ? Why ?

Say you were in my shoes, what questions would you ask as a newcomer ?

Timing: yes its important, though it's not everything. If you look really really good and are off time in pre-bronze, there are judges who may assume it's a fluke and call you back for another chance in the next round. Waltzes with confusing melodies often have a fairly clear drum hit or piano chord going "_ 2 3" underneath, so you can listen for that. Also, go over to the 'music store' on this site and listen to lots of the preview clips and practice counting the timing.

Dress: be neat. Girls, make sure you can dance in it. Guys, do NOT wear a tux or suit jacket unless it was specially made by a dance tailor, a normal one will ruin your posture completely. You can look very sharp is a simple black vest or sweater over a white dress shirt and tie. Everyone who is not completely bald would benefit from hairspray or gel.

Presentation: Smile! I know it doesn't seem important, but it is. Also practice walking onto the floor together and bowing together at the end.
Winning is ultimately a matter of looking like you know what you are doing - even if you don't.

Figures: better to use the smallest number possible and do them well than to attempt lots of things with poor form.

Don't give up: I've been recalled to the next round even after bumping into a judge!

Food: Eat breaksfast, even if you don't normally (though your really should). Have something you can take in with you - energy bars or something, even if you have to smuggle it in and eat it when no one is looking - you don't want to stand around all morning waiting for your event to be called at any second and end up dancing sometime in the afternoon on an empty stomach.

Finally, don't worry - it will be over in 120 seconds or less!

By nature i am very hard on myself. I will have to read a lot of jokes before the comp so that i can smile.
I have done a showcase before and that was just about as disaster as can be..... we started off doing a cha-cha basic step on tango music ("Dance with me" song) because we practiced a rigid routine and when the song started a few seconds late due to a poor DJ, we were in trouble. He did not feel comfortable messing with the routine.

Let's see - 2000 CityLights ball in San Francisco. Still my favorite, for the smallness of it.

I got lucky to fall in with an instructor, who doesn't feel that he needs to take advantage of his students by charging an arm and a leg to compete.

But I wish I knew then, what I know now. How to dress, do hair, and makeup. I was hopeless.

Also, that Smooth and Rhythm Pro/Am's are typically the first events in the morning. I've been to at least one comp that I or my friends had to be on the floor at 7am.

And oh yeah, no matter how good you think you did, your first competition tape is going to be an eye-opener, if you haven't seen yourself on tape before. Remember, turning to my instructor, while watching some other dancers near my skill level, and going, "please, oh, please, tell me I dance better than that!!" He couldn't. But I'm still glad I did it when I did.

The butterflies and shakes hit me after the first dance, but you do well if your friends can't tell.

And you will wish that you had signed up for some more dances. I only did 3 dances, was done dancing in 6 mins after an 1.5 hour prep and an 1 hr drive. Was done by 8:15 am, all dressed up and nowhere to go.

But luckily, I had competition which isn't always the case.

Overall results:
(Calm and collected)
Am Waltz newcomer - 2nd out of 3.
(Butterflies hit)
Am Tango newcomer - 2nd out of 2.
(Flubbed the tango so bad, that I basically didn't care about the foxtrot and just danced it and had fun.)
Am Foxtrot newcomer - 1st out 3.


Hope this helps,
-TheDitz

What dances did you compete in ? Those that you felt comfortable with, or did you try to compete in as many dances as possible ? What about competing at different levels (newcomer/bronze etc) of the dances... would it be a good idea to give say,4 dances a try, all at newcomer level, to just get the experience of a first time competition ? I would assume that the first dance will be full of butterflies but by the third one, one would be more comfortable ?

Wow! I don't want to sound like a veteran, but I barely remember my first comp (1983-84???). I guess, as I think back, the most helpful information is knowing basically what the judges look for. It would have been nice to have had better knowledge on costumes, shoes, etc. At one comp. (Pro/Am) I went into a triple spin (already dizzy - I still haven't mastered spotting) and ended up face to face with a judge instead of my instructor. All I could do was turn around towards my instructor and just keep going. I was shocked when they called my number for first place! I'll never forget that as long as I live. A few years ago I read a website where they list all the things judges look for in a comp. It was quite informative.

Try to relax and have fun.

Don't be too hard on yourself (or your partner) over your mistakes. Nobody else knows your choreography, so don't get upset when you or your partner forgets (and they will) part of the routine.

Blair

Some questions may be:
1) Will we be dancing in only Am/Am and/or Collegiate comps?, or in Pro/Am comps?, or both? Now that the NDCA requires all Am/Am couples (except for student/student) to sign up for their membership. These questions are a must. Answers: If only dancing in Am/Am and/or Collegiate comps- you need to become a USABDA member (USABDA.org). If only dancing in Pro/Am comps (as an amateur couple)- you need to become a member of the NDCA (NDCA.com), as a student/student couple- no membership is needed, In my opinion, student/student is not suggested, as it can be very expesive (paying for each entry) and in most cases dancing uncontested and danced within the Pro/Am heats. If dancng in both competitions- sign up for both USABDA and NDCA memberships.
2) What to wear? Answers: When competing (as a newcomer)- most comps do not allow costumes- use ideas from other post(s) answers. It is very important that you find out what the dress code is. If competing from a studio- make sure that you ask or get a copy of that competition's dress code. You can also find out on the competition website. As a spectator, or when not competing- For men- I suggest a dressy casual to a shirt/tie/jacket or combination, thereof. Banquet/Black Tie evenings- wear a tux or a nice suit. For ladies- a dressy pair of slacks and top/skirt combination. For Banquet evenings- wear a nice cocktail/ evening gown or a nice suit set. It is air conditioned in the ballroom, and gets very cold at times- bring a (studio) jacket, sweater, scarf, etc. to help stay warm. I highly do not recommend T-shirts, jeans, or sneakers in the ballroom at any time. Have respect for yourself and/or studio by dressing nicely.
3) When (day(s)/time(s))do I dance? This information can be found beforehand on the competition website under schedule. You won't get an exact time, but a good estimate. This is helpful when packing for the comp, looking to sightsee, take a nap, go for a swim, get breakfast/lunch/dinner, etc. A more definite time schedule/entry times can be found in the competion program.
4) Why am I paying a certain amount to dance/compete/spectate when others at different studios are paying more/less? Answer: Ask your studio owner/director and/or instructor. You have a right to know what you are paying for and why.
Other helpful tidbits:
1) When you arrive at the competition and pick up, make sure that you go through the program and mark/highlight when you are dancing and that all of your entries are listed and in the correct age level and dance level- if not, let your instructor know which ones are incorrect. If not with a studio- go to the competition registrar. Do this as soon as possible, as changes need to be made well in advance of event(s).
2) Be in the ballroom at least 1/2 hour before your event and ready to dance. Some comps run early, and can run an event up to 1/2 hour before scheduled time. Also event times/changes sometimes change. These changes are posted in and around the ballroom areas and are noted by the MC.
3) Scores/placements are usually posted in the ballroom areas shortly after awards have been given out. Scoresheets can be copied by hand if posted on wall, or copy machine- for a small fee.

My first competition was not too long ago, but the things I wish I had known up front:

1. how to dress (what is appropriate, what's in the rules concerning clothes, what's "in", what's "out")
2. how things worked (the different rounds, the seperated disciplines, the divisions etc.)
3. what to bring (extra pins, extra panty, something do drink/eat etc.)
4. time table

That's just on the top of my head

"Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." - Horace