How long until you enter comps

[Cornish Pixie]

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

[RobC]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

That's going to be a completely individual thing - depend on how quickly you learn, how good your partner is, whether you need lots of confidense to perform infront of a crowd or are a natural performer, ...... the list goes on. Personally, I had done over 4 years of competitive Ballroom dancing before even starting any Jive, so I entered the first Jive comp that came along.

As for a good first time competition, Blackpool is fabulous but the sheer size can be overwhelming for the new competitor, so I would suggest one of the smaller ones such as Bristol or Brighton (or Scotland ? Never been, so can't comment).
I'm not going to comment on the Ceroc comp, as my feelings on that subject are too well known on this forum.

[Minnie M]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

IMHO if you are asking you are not ready

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

I entered my first competition when I'd been dancing 7 months. I was complete rubbish, went out in the first round of the intermediate and the DWAS and had a fabulous day

I say enter the intermediate and enter the DWAS if you can dance a bit. Don't expect to come anywhere, just join in and have a fab time - in fact, that's pretty much what I do nowadays. Sometimes I get a medal, sometimes I don't - and loads of times I've come 4th

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

A good first-time competition for you might be the LeRoc South West Challenge, held in Bristol in July. It's quite low-pressure, with only a dozen or so competing, and is held in the middle of a normal dance night.

I had been dancing for 18 months when I entered this one, and it took another 2 years before I got through to the finals

[ChrisA]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

IMHO if you are asking you are not ready

Can't agree with this, I'm afaid

I was asking, this time last year. People had been encouraging me, but I was very hesitant. I was ready to enter, just not ready to win, not that I am now. But having done five competitions this year I've got a huge amount out of the whole deal, and I regret none of it.

As Rob says, it's very much down to the individual - but it also depends what you want to get out of it. If you want to win, it's very unlikely you will, on your first attempt... but if you want to learn lots and have a tiring but fun time, then you almost certainly will, and it will make you better for the next comp.

Even practising for a few sessions with a regular partner, possibly even with a video camera, you'll start to find things you can improve, go back over and work on, without having to wait until another appropriate partner or track comes along. And the improvement that comes from practising for a comp will also improve your social dancing.

So I'd say, if the idea appeals, go for it. It doesn't matter if you go out in the first round, you'll have had a fun time and learned loads.

Chris

[Dreadful Scathe]

Originally Posted by ChrisA

Can't agree with this, I'm afaid

I'd agree with Chris not agreeing I think you sound unsure so best thing is to enter an intermediate competition as a taster and see how you feel after. You may discover you need more practice or you may hate it but it will be different for everyone. I'm certainly not a natural performer so its taken me lots of dancing in competitions to get better at er...dancing in competitions. Strangely I have no problem dressing as a woman - maybe its the disguise that gives me more confidence .

[Cornish Pixie]

Originally Posted by Minnie M

IMHO if you are asking you are not ready

I know i asked for an opinion but how do you konw if you have never seen me dance?

[ElaineB]

Originally Posted by Dreadful Scathe

I'd agree with Chris not agreeing I think you sound unsure so best thing is to enter an intermediate competition as a taster and see how you feel after. You may discover you need more practice or you may hate it but it will be different for everyone. I'm certainly not a natural performer so its taken me lots of dancing in competitions to get better at er...dancing in competitions. Strangely I have no problem dressing as a woman - maybe its the disguise that gives me more confidence .

And very nice legs, but I think your razor was blunt!


Elaine

[TheTramp]

Entered the intermediate at the Ceroc Champs in London after 1 year of dancing, and the advanced the following year. Back then, there was only that competition running. Bit more choice now...

Trampy

[Gadget]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

I know i asked for an opinion but how do you konw if you have never seen me dance?

Ahhh young glasshoppa, you need to watch more kung-fu movies:
"master, how will I know when I am ready?"
"you will know"
"but master, how will I know?"
"If you have to ask the question, then you are not ready to recieve the answer."

[Cornish Pixie]

Originally Posted by Gadget

Ahhh young glasshoppa, you need to watch more kung-fu movies:
"master, how will I know when I am ready?"
"you will know"
"but master, how will I know?"
"If you have to ask the question, then you are not ready to recieve the answer."

Great answer.

[Jive Brummie]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

Just wondering how long the men were jiving for until they enter competitions and what is a good first time competition.

See, I think if you're at the stage where you are asking, then it's obviously playing on your mind that you are good enough to go for it?

So, enough of the umming and arr-ing boy, get your darn ass on the floor and strut your stuff.....

Ave-It!! (I have no idea what this means but it seems common amongst the young thrusters of today)

Oh yeah, and enjoy it.

JB

[philsmove]

Originally Posted by Nick M

A good first-time competition for you might be the LeRoc South West Challenge, held in Bristol in July. It's quite low-pressure, with only a dozen or so competing, and is held in the middle of a normal dance night.

Another Bristol completion specifically run for intermediates is "Best in the West"
Fairly low key and great night out even you are not placed

Go for it Young man, we all look forward to meeting you

[ElaineB]

Originally Posted by philsmove

Another Bristol completion specifically run for intermediates is "Best in the West"
Fairly low key and great night out even you are not placed

Go for it Young man, we all look forward to meeting you

Oy! I competes in Advanced now you know!

Elaine - follower of fantastic advanced leader and winner of South West Challange 2004 (first won by some guy called Nigel!) and winner of the Best in the West 2004!

I thank you


Elaine

[Daisy]

We (Ray & I) were entered for the Ceroc Champs back in 2000 after dancing for only 3 months. We entered the beginners (now non-existant, which is a shame) and we WON.

From then on we were bitten by the competition bug....I guess we are born performers......either that or mad (soooo much stress). Anyway, here we are nearly 5years later and were still at it.

It's a tough business and we have been lucky, although we have worked hard for success too. Your chances of getting placed, let alone winning are not good at first but aim high all the same......no point in doing it otherwise.

Watching competition videos will give you lots of ideas about whats involved.

Good luck

Jane

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by thewurlitzerrocks

I know i asked for an opinion but how do you konw if you have never seen me dance?

But we have seen other people dancing in competitions. If you can stay on the beat for a whole track you have a good chance of getting through the first round of the intermediate

[Lynn]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

If you can stay on the beat for a whole track you have a good chance of getting through the first round of the intermediate

Even I managed it! (I had a fab partner though )

[Andy McGregor]

Originally Posted by Lynn

Even I managed it! (I had a fab partner though )

Lynn was fabulous in the second round of the intemediate, Lynn danced so well I'm surprised we didn't get through to the next round as well

We'll, hopefully, do much better next year

[philsmove]

Oy! I competes in Advanced now you know!

Elaine - follower of fantastic advanced leader and winner of South West Challange 2004 (first won by some guy called Nigel!) and winner of the Best in the West 2004!

I thank you

Oops




But, thewurlitzerrocks, don’t let the fact you are competing with Simon and Elaine put you off entering a completion