YOUTH
Youth Salsa Couples
Youth Salsa Duet Shines
Youth Salsa Shines Teams
Youth Salsa Solo
Youth Latin Couple
Youth Latin Duet Shines
Youth Latin Shines Teams
Youth Latin Solo
SALSA
Amateur Salsa Freestyle
Open Salsa Freestyle
Amateur Salsa Jack & Jill
Open Salsa Jack & Jill
Amateur Salsa Couples
Pro-Am Salsa Couples
Semi Pro Salsa Couples
Professional Salsa Couples
Masters Salsa Couples
Amateur Salsa Solo
Semi Pro Salsa Solo
Professional Male Salsa Solo
Professional Female Salsa Solo
Masters Salsa Solo
Amateur Salsa Duets
Semi Pro Salsa Duets
Open Salsa Duets
Pro/Am Salsa Duets
Open Salsa Shines Teams
Open Salsa Teams
Open Showcase Salsa Teams
BACHATA
Amateur Bachata Freestyle
Open Bachata Freestyle
Amateur Bachata Jack & Jill
Open Bachata Jack & Jill
Open Bachata Shines Teams
Open Bachata Teams
Open Showcase Bachata Teams
KIZOMBA ALL STYLES
Amateur Kizomba Fusion Freestyle
Open Kizomba All Styles Freestyle
Amateur Kizomba Fusion Jack & Jill
Open Kizomba All Styles Jack & Jill
ZOUK
Open Zouk Freestyle
Novice Zouk JnJ
Intermediate Zouk JnJ
LATIN
Open Latin Ultimate Social Dancer JnJ
Amateur Latin Couples
Pro-Am Latin Couple
Semi Pro Latin Couples
Professional Latin Couples
Masters Latin Couples
Amateur Latin Solo
Semi Pro Latin Solo
Professional Male Latin Solo
Professional Female Latin Solo
Masters Latin Solo
Amateur Latin Duets
Pro-Am Latin Duets
Semi Pro Latin Duets
Open Latin Duets
Open Latin Shines Teams
Open Showcase Latin Teams
COMPETITOR DIVISION
You must choose ONE Division for the whole event, from the 5 available below.
Note: You only need to meet One criteria to move up to the next Division. Exception for Masters as noted below.
YOUTH
17 years or less at the date of the competition.
Note: Youth dancers aged 17yrs can choose to enter as a Novice or an Amateur instead of Youth, but not both, with the exception being that Youth dancers 17yrs may enter in Open Shines Teams and still compete in Youth categories.
AMATEUR
18+ years
Defined as a dance STUDENT who engages in dancing strictly as an avocation and/or recreational activity only and does not make a living from or receive financial (monetary) gain from any dance related activities. Dance related activities include teaching, performing, judging, dance studio ownership/management, etc. A student who actively partakes in the preparation and teaching of classes and/or teams on a regular basis in any style of latin dance, regardless of whether or not they receive financial compensation is NOT an amateur.
SEMI-PRO
18+ years
Defined as a person who:
– actively partakes in the preparation and teaching of classes and/or teams on a regular basis in any style of latin dance regardless of whether or not they receive financial compensation for these activities
– has previously received or currently receives financial (monetary) compensation for latin dance related activities (e.g. teaching, performing, judging), but does these activities on a part-time/casual basis and makes the majority of their income in another profession.
NOTES:
The definition of Amateur and Semi-Pro may differ from that in overseas competitions such as the World Salsa Solo (Brisbane). This is to encourage Amateur dancers into competition by reducing the likelihood they will be competing against their teachers. Dancers who do not fit the Amateur definition in the NZ Latin Dance Championships may still meet the Amateur definition in international competitions.
Individuals who meet the definition of Semi-Pro for any Latin and/or Brazilian style must compete as Semi-Pro for all styles (i.e., someone who is considered Semi-Pro for Bachata cannot enter a Salsa category as an Amateur).
PROFESSIONAL
18+ years
Defined as a person who receives financial compensation for dance related activities (e.g. teaching, performing, judging) and makes the majority or entirety of their income from these activities
MASTERS
40+ years
Those who are 40+ may additionally enter one other status level (ie. Amateur or Semi-Pro) except for the Professional level, if they meet the criteria, and can compete in both Masters and that level over the weekend.
GENERAL RULES FOR ALL COMPETITORS
The NZ Latin Dance Championship is open to all NZ and International competitors.
Competitors must finalise their registration by 1pm FRIDAY OCTOBER 25th. This includes completion of a registration form, payment of entry fees, and submission of music if entering a choreographed section.
Competitors cannot use the same choreography in more than one category (e.g if they use a routine for Pro-am, they cannot use that same routine in Amateur Couple), or use the same choreography previously used at the NZLDC in the same category.
Competitors may enter as many Categories as they are eligible to compete in, but they can only enter ONCE in each Category Section, with the exception of Professional competitors in Pro-Am, who can compete multiple times with different Amateur partners. The Amateur can only enter once in each of the Pro-Am categories. Competitors may also enter in multiple TEAMS if they are representing different schools.
There must be a minimum of 3 registered entries in each category to proceed. If the category has less than 3 entries the organisation reserves the right to merge that category with another. Team leaders/competitors will be notified where applicable.
No props are allowed. A prop is defined as any object, other than your costuming. However, as soon as any part of your costume is detached from the body (e.g. jacket, hat, wig, etc) it is also classified as a prop.
MUSIC RULES FOR CHOREOGRAPHIES
Youth
1.10 - 1.30mins
Adult Solos and Duets
1.10 - 1.30mins
Adult Couples and Teams
1.30 - 2mins
Themed Showcase Teams
1.45 - 3mins
Do not include your entrance and/or exit in your music cut as this will be considered part of the song length. Tracks which run over / under these time limits by up to 10 seconds will be subject to a 5 point deduction, with a further 1 point deduction for every 10 seconds thereafter.
MUSIC SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 1pm Friday OCTOBER 25
If your music is not submitted by the deadline your registration will be considered invalid and you will forfeit your registration fee and be unable to compete in that category. There will be no re-submissions of music after the deadline.
Remixed music is allowed so long as there is a clear and recognizable base rhythm and signature beat of the chosen style.
There is no mixing of dance styles in routines except for Showcase categories.
A maximum of 2 songs can be used in the music cut of any given choreography.
Please upload your music via our registration app, labelled with your NAME / TEAM and CATEGORY. We will send you a confirmation that your song has been received, it will be the competitors responsibility to make sure their music meets the criteria.
You must bring an electronic copy of your music on competition day on a clearly labeled USB.
DEFINITIONS
PRO-AM (Teacher-Student)
Defined as a partnership between a Professional or Semi-Pro dancer and Amateur dancer as defined under DIVISIONS. In Pro-Am categories only the Amateur dancer is judged. However, errors made by the Professional/Semi-Pro dancer can result in a deduction in score if they affect or detract from the Amateur’s performance.
Cabaret
Routines must be 50% recognizable partner dancing (minimum). Tricks and lifts are allowed. The remaining 50% can be made up of tricks, flares, dips and shines. A maximum of 8 bars/32 Beats/4 counts of 8 are allowed for continuous turns. More than this will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score. Timing of the dance style chosen must maintain consistent for the duration of the routine.
Classic
Routines must be 50% recognizable partner dancing (minimum). A maximum of 6 tricks are permitted, but no lifts. The remaining 50% can be made up of tricks, flares, dips and shines. One foot must remain on the floor at all times even during tricks. If both feet of either partner leave the floor via the assistance of the other partner, it will be considered a lift and there will be a 2-point deduction from the final score. Timing of the dance style chosen must maintain consistent for the duration of the routine.
Tricks
A trick is defined as any movement that requires the support of the other partner to maintain. This is regardless of whether the feet remain on the floor or not. One foot must remain on the floor at all times during tricks. If both feet of either partner leave the floor via the assistance of the other partner, it will be considered a lift. For back-to-back tricks to be considered only one trick they need to flow seamlessly and purposefully from one element to the other, cannot change direction, and they should not occupy more than 2 counts of 8.
Dips – Defined as a trick in which one partners centre is lowered relative to their standing position but in a manner in which they could support themselves if the other partner did not.
Drops – Defined as a trick in which one partners centre is lowered relative to their standing position such that they could not support themselves if the other partner did not.
Leverage Moves – Defined as a trick in which both partners remain upright but the balance of either dancer is compromised without the support of the other dancer.
Lifts
Refers to any movement where both feet leave the floor with the assistance of one’s partner. A lift can be a sequence of acrobatic movements in which one dancer lifts, and in many cases, holds their dance partner above the floor. A lift is considered an elevation in which both feet are off the floor at some point during the move, and any part of the body of one dancer touches the body of the other to assist. For back-to-back lifts to be considered only one trick they need to flow seamlessly and purposefully from one element to the other, and they should not occupy more than 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). It will not be considered as a lift when the dancer raises both feet on their own without contact with the other dancer.
Props
Defined as any object carried by a performer which does not form part of their costume. This includes any part of a costume that is detached, whether intentionally or accidentally, from the body (e.g., jacket, hat, wig, etc). If, in a couples or teams section, an item of clothing is removed from one dancers body by another dancer (e.g., taking a hat off another dancer) this is also classified as a prop.
COMPETITION RULES
FREESTYLE CATEGORIES
Freestyle categories are entered with a partner and will be judged on the ability to connect, improvise and display skills on the social dance floor such as:
• Lead / follow techniques
• Correct and consistent timing
• Musicality, creativity, styling
• Technique – emphasis on grounded movements, floor craft also considered
• Lifts are not permitted. Tricks and dips, with the follower keeping one foot on the floor, should be used sparingly to compliment the music and fit with timing
Individual shines are permitted but the use of choreographed sections are discouraged.
Leaders and followers may not switch roles between partners during the category.
Judging is Ranked only, no individual scoring is done for any Freestyle and Jack & Jill section. Music will be selected by the organizers and 2 songs will be played at different tempos for each round. Each song will be approximately 1.30 – 2.00 minutes
All couples will be on the dance floor at the same time, and asked to rotate positions between songs. If there is more than 6 couples in a category, there will be a Qualifier Round which will run in heats with the top 6 couples moving on to the Finals. In this case competitors overall score will be the average of their Heat and Final score.
Smart dress/ costumes are encouraged.
JACK & JILL CATEGORIES
These categories are entered without a partner, as random partners will be rotated. The same limitations / rules apply for this section as for the Freestyle section above.
Jack n’ Jill categories are scored using a ranking system only. Leaders and Followers will be ranked separately and for each song they dance to.
CHOREOGRAPHED CATEGORIES
GENERAL
Soloists, duets, couples and teams will perform one at a time to their chosen music. Music must meet duration and genre requirements.
There are no restrictions on the combinations or moves that can be used. For all partnered categories, shines and tricks are permitted however refer to the definitions of CLASSIC and CABARET for restrictions.
Competitors will be judged on presentation including costuming. Each costume malfunction will result in a 1 point deduction from the final score.
Salsa Choreographies
The chosen Salsa rhythm (e.g. On1 or On2) must be maintained throughout the routine. Competitors can choose to break forward or back, as long as this is consistent throughout the routine. Failure to maintain consistency will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score.
Competitors will not be penalised if they change their break step to accent musicality, as long as it is purposeful and returns to their main break step.
Salsa routines must be 100% recognisable Salsa dancing. The use of afro/rumba cannot exceed 30% of the routine.
Latin Choreographies
Latin routines must be 100% recognisable Latin dancing of the genre chosen. The judges appreciate the diversity of Latin dance genres; therefore, all styles of a given genre may be mixed within a routine (e.g Bachata routines may be a mixture of Dominican, Sensual, Fusion, Moderna, Urban, etc).
CATEGORY SPECIFIC RULES
Salsa, Latin DUETS
Duets are permitted up to 3 connected/assisted moves. Connection time between individuals for these moves should not exceed 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). Any such moves executed simultaneously or as a group will only be counted as one connected/assisted move, so long as it is executed within the allowable two counts of eight.
An excess of 3 connected/assisted moves will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score. Connected moves that exceed 2 counts of 8 will result in a 2-point deduction.
Salsa, Latin COUPLES
Choreographies may either be CLASSIC or CABARET.
Shines are permitted however no more than 30% of the choreography. More than this will result in 2 point penalty deduction from the final score.
Salsa, Bachata, Latin SHINES TEAMS
Youth dancers 17yrs are permitted to compete, but should not make up more than 30% of team members, they will be judged the same as Adult dancers.
Shines Teams are permitted up to 3 connected/assisted moves – moves that require physical connection between any 2 dancers. Connection time between dancers for each connected/assisted move should not exceed 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). Any such move that is executed simultaneously, with no break between connection/assistance shall count as one connected/assisted move as long as it does not exceed 2 counts of 8.
An excess of 3 connected/assisted moves, and connected/assisted moves that exceed 2 counts of 8 will each result in a 2-point deduction from the final score.
Each school may have 1 or more teams in this Category ONLY if there is a completely different set of eligible team members per routine. Minimum of 3 members in a Shines Team.
Salsa, Bachata, Latin COUPLES TEAMS
Choreographies may either be CLASSIC or CABARET.
Couples Teams must have a minimum of 3 couples per team (a Couple is defined as 1 leader with 1 follower). Teams must perform as couples in a lead/follow format.
Each school may have 1 or more teams in this Category ONLY if there is a completely different set of eligible team members per routine.
Salsa, Bachata, Latin SHOWCASE TEAMS
No restrictions on tricks, lifts, flares, dips, or connection points within the team members.
Showcase Teams must have a minimum of 3 couples per team (a Couple is defined as 1 leader with 1 follower). Teams must perform as couples in a lead/follow format.
Minimum time limit is 1 minute 45 seconds, maximum time limit is 3 minutes.
Each school may have 1 or more teams in this Category ONLY if there is a completely different set of eligible team members per routine.
CODE OF CONDUCT, TERMS & CONDITIONS
The NZ Latin Dance Championships strives to be a positive, family friendly, safe and inclusive event. Any competitor that does not adhere to the General Rules, Code of Conduct and Terms & Conditions of the Championships may be subject to disqualification from the competition, forfeiture of fees and any right to any prizes or awards presented. Any kind of harassment: verbal, physical or sexual will not be tolerated and the competitor will be disqualified and asked to leave the premises immediately.
Moves that depict or imply violence, sexual assault or degradation is not permitted and will be penalised (or disqualified). This includes performing moves that simulate sexual acts, hitting ones partner, throwing them to the ground, and pulling their hair.
Selected costumes must cover all personal anatomy and be of an appropriate and suitable style as not to cause offence, regardless of personal tastes. We encourage modesty, and tastefully covered costumes that are age appropriate. For the Youth Division, we require appropriate dress as children and youth.
Judges decision is final. Please be respectful in asking for feedback and information from the judges after the competition. In the event of any dispute, final decision will be made by the Competition Director and the Head Judge.
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Competitor Registration fees and Spectator ticket purchases to the New Zealand Latin Dance Championships are completely non-refundable under any circumstances, including no shows, ill health, missed flights, change of mind and forfeiture of your category due to rules violations or disqualification.
Promotions, Photography and Video Recording
By participating or attending the NZ Latin Dance Championships (NZLDC) Competitors and Attendees grant permission for NZLDC to capture and publish any photo/video taken of them at the event for promotional, editorial, or commercial purposes, without any fees, consent or compensation. Participants acknowledge that NZLDC owns the rights to all photos/videos captured during the event, and release them from all liability.