General Guidelines:

Contestants must be 18 years or older to compete in our pro or open competition divisions.
Competitors will be one Male Leader and one Female Follower except in Pro-Am where same sex is permitted.

Contestants must be 10 years or older to compete in our Pro Am Divisions.
Contestants must be 18 years or older to compete in our Classic, Showcase or Strictly Swing Divisions.

Contestants competing in Jack & Jill must conform to the World Swing Dance Council guidelines and points system.

Contestants must be 17 or under to compete in Junior Divisions.

Contestants may apply for exceptions, the decisions of the event director and chief judge are final.

To Receive WSDC points, a division must have a minimum of 5 couples. Maximum number of entries will be the decision of the promoter. The promoter has the option to offer to run a division with less than 5 couples and if the division is offered with less than 5 couples, you will not be entitled to a refund of competition fees.

Who Can Compete? River City Swing is open to all dancers who want to compete. Dance divisions have been offered to fit any dance level or age. Find below a brief description for each level and category.

DANCE LEVEL

Newcomer: Must have no WSDC points, for the beginner that has not placed in competition.

Novice: No WSDC points required normally for dancers new to competition.

Intermediate: Must have a minimum of 20 WSDC points.

Advanced: Must have a minimum of 25 intermediate points

Juniors jack & Jill and Pro Am Jack & Jill are considered open level

Invitational: dancing at advanced level or above, by invitation only.

DIVISIONS

Jack & Jill: Dance partner is randomly assigned.

Strictly Swing: A couple dancing (no random assignment).

Pro Am: Amateur dancer competing with a Professional instructor, judging only the amateur.

AGE CATEGORY

Junior: Between 8 to 17 years of age, with the exception of Pro Am between 10 to 17 years of age.

Sophisticated, 35 years of age and up.

Masters, 50 years of age and up.

NOTE: With the exception of juniors dancers are allowed to enter open age competitions within their dance level.

All other rules listed apply. Judges decisions are final. In the unlikely case of ties in scores, the contest will be decided by the Chief Judge’s score.  Deductions or demotions for violations of rules are applied by the Chief Judge from indications and observations of the judges.

Multiple Division Entry:

Rule #1 - You may not dance with the same partner in more than one division of the same style of dance, unless by luck of the draw in a J&J you happen to draw one of your partners. You may dance a Pro/Am Division and a non-Pro/Am Division with the same partner as long as all other rules are observed.   You may enter another Division of the same dance style with a different partner so long as all other rules are observed.

Rule #2 - You may not dance in two divisions with the same routine.  

Rule #2A - You may not dance in two divisions with the same partner.
Rule #3 – You may dance an age division and a level division of J&J or Strictly Swing.  You may not dance 2 Strictly Divisions of the same style of dance with the same partner. You may only dance one age division of your choice and qualification. (i.e. you may dance one open division and one age division if you are eligible)

Strictly Swing Division:

Swing dancing that encourages lead and follow partner dancing at its best. Although swing includes amalgamations and patterns that are familiar to many dancers, the essence of lead and follow must be maintained in and out of these patterns. Strictly Swing division is not meant for long and extended pre-choreographed phrases. Choreography "on the fly" is the objective. Drops, leans, circular movements and other partner weight support moves are allowed as long as both partners keep at least one foot on the floor.

1. Length of performance is at the promoter’s discretion.

2. Costumes are not allowed. However, matching or complementary outfits suitable for social dancing are acceptable.

3. This division will be danced in heats and/or spotlight at the promoter’s discretion.

4. Couples must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short break-a-ways, and recoveries.

5. Pre-choreographed routines are not allowed.

6. Dancers must maintain their own physical contact with the floor during partner weight support moves.

7. At most five partner weight support moves are permitted.

Effective January 1st, 2011 WSDC has made changes see below.

 

This new structure and points recorded/tracked will be effective January 1, 2011.   With the increasing amount of competitors and often “uneven” numbers within a competition (i.e. more followers than leaders), it has been decided that the WSDC will recognize and award the Tier points based on the number of individual competitors.  If within one competition there are Tier 1 amount of leaders but Tier 2 amount of followers, points will be awarded separately for leaders and followers in finals.   This new point structure is from this date forward, and past points will not be affected.  These Tiers are based solely on the number of competitors and not the size of the event. The Competitor's Points Registry is meant as a tool to assist both the Promoter and the Contestant.