General Rules Applicable to All Competitors

 

This competition is open to any South Island based dancer (defined as someone who has resided in the South Island for at least 6 of the past 12 months).

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Note: For 2024 we are opening Youth categories only to competitors from all of New Zealand.
 
Competitors can only enter ONCE in each category. For freestyle categories, dancers may only enter once for any given style (i.e., if a competitor enters Amateur Salsa freestyle they cannot enter Open Salsa Freestyle). The exception to this is Pro-Am Freestyle categories.

There must be a minimum of 3 registered entries in any given category for the category to take place. If the category has less than 3 entries, the organisation reserves the right to merge that category with another. Notice will be given to team leaders/competitors about this where applicable.
 
Competitors cannot compete in a category using the same choreography as previous years of the South Island Latin Championship (or the South Island Salsa Competition) in that same category.

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Heel caps MUST be worn on the dance floor at all times when heels are being worn.

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Code of Conduct

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SILC strives to be an inclusive competition. Any competitor that does not adhere to the General Rules, Code of Conduct and Terms & Conditions of the competition may be subject to disqualification from the competition and therefore forfeit 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.

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Moves that depict or imply violence, sexual assault or degradation are not permitted and will be penalised (from penalty to disqualification). This includes performing moves which simulate sexual acts, hitting ones partner, throwing them to the ground, and pulling their hair.

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Selected clothing must cover all personal anatomy and be of an appropriate and suitable style as not to cause offence, regardless of personal tastes. For the Youth category, we require appropriate dress as children and youth. Modest, and tasteful costumes that will not cause offence and are age appropriate are encouraged.

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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, the final decision will be made by the Head Judge. 
 

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Competitor Definitions

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All dancers must meet the criteria for any category in which they are registering. If you are uncertain, please contact the organisers for clarification.

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Youth

17 years or less at the date of the competition.

 

NOTE: Youth dancers aged 17 years may choose to compete in either youth or adult categories but not both with the exception being that youth dancers can compete in the Youth categories and also complete in the Open Salsa Shine and Open Latin Shine teams as per the category rules.

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Amateur

17+ 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 in any style of latin dance on a regular basis, regardless of whether or not they receive financial compensation is NOT an amateur.

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Semi-Pro

17+ years

Defined as a person who:

• actively partakes in the preparation and teaching of classes and/or teams in any style of latin dance on a regular basis 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 differs from that in larger competitions such as the World Salsa Solo (Brisbane). This is a deliberate decision by organisers 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 South Island Salsa Competition 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 Kizomba cannot enter a Salsa category as an Amateur).

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Professional

17+ 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.

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Pro-Am

17+ years

Defined as a partnership between an amateur dancer and a semi-pro or professional level dancer as defined above. In Pro-Am categories only the amateur dancer is judged. 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.​

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Music Guidelines

 

Music lengths are below. Music that exceeds or subceeds these lengths will be penalised. The competition organisers reserve the right to not accept choreographies with music in excess of these lengths.

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Youth

• All youth choreos (1.10 - 1.30mins)

Adult

• All adult solos (1.10 - 1.30mins)

• All adult duets (1.10 - 1.30mins)

• All adult couples (1.30 - 2.00mins)

• All adult teams (1.30 - 2.00mins)

• Themed showcase teams (1.45-2.30mins)

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Music lengths are considered from the first discernible audio to the last. Do not include your entrance and/or exit in your music cut. Tracks which run over 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.

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A maximum of 2 songs can be used in the music cut of any given choreography. 
 
All routines must be 100% recognisable music specific to the genre being performed. Remixed music is allowed so long as there is a clear and recognizable base rhythm and signature beat of the chosen style.

 

​Competitors will need to send a copy of their competition music to the organisers by the closing of registration date. If music is not submitted by this time, your registration will be considered incomplete.

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Please note that we will not accept any re-submissions of music after the cut-off date. 

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On the day of the competition, competitors must bring a backup of their music, clearly labelled, on a USB. The DJ will not slow down or speed up your music for you.

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Division Definitions, Rules and Judging Criteria
 
Definitions

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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.

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Continuous Turns

Refers to turns, travelling or on-the-spot, that continue without pause for more than 1 bar/4 beats/one count of 4. A maximum of 4 bars/16 Beats/2 counts of 8 are allowed for continuous turns. More than this will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score.

 

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.  

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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.

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Rules

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Freestyle Categories

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Rules Applicable to all Freestyle Categories

 

• All freestyle categories are lead/follow categories (not choreographed). Freestyle categories will be judged on an ability to connect and improvise with one's partner and display connection, timing, technique and musicality.​

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• The lead and/or follow positions may be performed by any gender however the lead and follow role must not switch between partners during the category. ​

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• Freestyle categories are scored using a ranking system. Couples will be ranked for each song they dance to. ​

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• There are no restrictions on the combinations/moves that couples use. For amateur freestyle sections Judges will prioritise clean basic moves and connection over complex turn patterns.

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• Freestyle categories are JUST DANCING categories. Lifts are not permitted. Tricks are permitted as follows:

 

• Amateur Freestyle Categories (Salsa/Bachata)

Tricks are not permitted, with the exception of dips. Dips are permitted, as long as both dancers keep at least one foot on the ground).

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• Open Freestyle Categories (Salsa/Bachata/Kizomba)

​Tricks (dips, drops and leverage moves) are permitted as long as both dancers keep at least one foot on the ground).
 

• ​Pro-Am Freestyle Categories (Salsa/Bachata)

Tricks (dips, drops and leverage moves) are permitted as long as both dancers keep at least one foot on the ground).

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In all cases. Ticks should be used sparingly to compliment the music and fit with timing. Excessive choreography will be penalised.

 

• Individual shines are permitted; however, competitors are encouraged to use these sparingly in order to show creativity and musicality. The use of choreographed shines in Freestyle categories is discouraged.

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• Dancers will compete on the dance floor together to DJ selected music applicable to the chosen category: Salsa, Bachata, or Kizomba.

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• The approximate length of each song will be 1.30 - 2.00 minutes and will be selected by the organisers. ​

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• Music tempo for freestyle sections will be a mixture of slow and medium for Amateur Categories and slow, medium and fast for Open Categories. Tracks will be selected to allow competitors to showcase the diversity of Latin dance genres.

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• Dancers will be asked to rotate from front to rear of stage between songs to ensure all competitors are given time at front of stage. Dancers who fail to change positions or who move positions during the song to the detriment of other couples will be penalised.​

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• If there are more than 6 couples registered in any freestyle category, the category will consist of Heats and a Final. Heats will contain a maximum of 6 couples, and each heat will consist of 2 pieces of music of approximately 1:30 – 2:00 minutes. The top 6 couples in each category will progress to the Final. In this case competitors overall score will be the average of their Heat and Final score.

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• If the category has less than 6 registered couples, couples will compete directly in a Final. The Final will consist of 2 pieces of music of approximately 1:30 – 2:00 minutes.  In this case competitors overall score will be that of their Final score.

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• The Freestyle Category is a formal competitive category and costumes are encouraged.

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Jack & Jill Rules

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• All General Rules applicable to Freestyle Categories are applicable to Jack n’ Jill categories.

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• These categories are entered without a partner. Partners will be rotated during the category. 

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• The lead and/or follow positions may be performed by any gender however the lead and follow role must not switch during the category.

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• 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.

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• Lifts are not permitted. Tricks (dips, drops and leverage moves) are permitted as long as both dancers keep at least one foot on the ground).

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Choreographed Categories

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General Rules Applicable to all Choreographed Categories

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In all choreographed categories, soloists, couples or teams will perform one at a time to their chosen music. Music must meet duration and genre requirements (refer to Music Guidelines above).

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There are no restrictions on the combinations or moves that can be used. For all partnered categories, shines and tricks are permitted. Refer to the definitions of CLASSIC and CABARET for restrictions on shines and tricks.

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Competitors will be judged on presentation which is inclusive of costuming. Each costume malfunction will result in a deduction of 1 point from the final score.

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Salsa Choreographies

In choreographed Salsa routines, the chosen Salsa rhythm (e.g., On1 or On2) must be maintained throughout the routine. Failure to maintain the chosen Salsa rhythm will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score.

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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.

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NOTE: 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.

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All Salsa routines must be 100% recognisable Salsa dancing (for Salsa routines, the use of afro/rumba cannot exceed 30% of the routine).

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Latin Choreographies
Latin routines must be 100% recognisable Latin dancing of the genre chosen. The judges will appreciate the diversity of Latin dance genres; therefore, all styles of a given genre may be mixed within a routine (for instance, Bachata routines may be a mixture of Dominican, Sensual, Fusion, Moderna, Urban, etc).

 

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Choreographed Categories: Category Specific Rules 

 

Solos (Youth/Amateur/Open)
Routines may be either CLASSIC or CABARET routines.

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Duets (Youth/Amateur/Open/Pro-Am)
Routines may be either CLASSIC or CABARET routines.

 

Both dancers will be judged with the exception being Pro-Am duets in which only the amateur dancer is judged.

 

Duets are permitted up to 3 connected/assisted moves – moves that require physical connection between the 2 dancers. The connection time between the 2 dancers for each connected/assisted move should not exceed 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). Any connected/assisted 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 the allowable 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). 

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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.

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Lifts and Tricks are permitted; however, it is important to note that these will be categorised as connected/assisted moves.

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Open Choreographed Couples (partnered)
Routines may be either CLASSIC or CABARET routines. Open to either Salsa or Latin Dance Styles.

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A maximum of 2 counts of 8 (16 beats) are allowed for continuous turns. More than this will result in a 2-point deduction of the final score. 

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Shines Teams (Youth/Open)
Routines may be either CLASSIC or CABARET routines.

 

Youth Latin Dancers (17 years or younger) are permitted to compete in open shine teams categories, but should not make up more than 30% of the team members. Youth dancers will be judged as equivalent to Adult dancers.

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Shines Teams are permitted up to 3 connected/assisted moves – moves that require physical connection between any 2 dancers. The connection time between the 2 dancers for each connected/assisted move should not exceed 2 counts of 8 (16 beats). Any connected/assisted 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 the allowable 2 counts of 8 (16 beats).

 

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 likewise result in a 2-point deduction.

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Lifts and Tricks are permitted; however, it is important to note that these will be categorised as connected/assisted moves.

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​Couples Teams (Salsa/Latin)

​Routines may be either CLASSIC or CABARET routines.

Open to any Couples Team that is comprised of a minimum of 3 couples per team (a couple is defined as defined as 1 leader and 1 follower). Teams must perform as couples in a lead/follow format. The lead and follow positions are not gender specific but must not switch during the choreography.

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​Showcase Teams

Open to any Showcase Shines Team that is comprised of a minimum of 3 dancers or any Showcase Couples Team that is comprised of a minimum of 3 couples per team (a couple is defined as defined as 1 leader and 1 follower).

 

Couples teams must perform as couples in a lead/follow format. The lead and follow positions are not gender specific but must not switch during the choreography.

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Youth Latin Dancers (17 years or younger) are permitted to compete in this category, but should not make up more than 30% of the team members. Youth dancers will be judged as equivalent to Adult dancers.

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For Showcase Shines Teams, there are no restrictions on the number of connected/assisted moves (moves that require physical connection between any 2 dancers) that can be used, however the time for which any connected move is undertaken should not exceed 30% of the choreography. The connection time between the 2 dancers for each connected/assisted move should not exceed 2 counts of 8 (16 beats).

 

An excess of connected/assisted moves will result in a 2-point deduction from the final score. Connected moves that exceed 2 counts of 8 will likewise result in a 2-point deduction.

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There are no restrictions on the number of lifts and tricks that may be used within the choreography however these should not exceed 30% of the choreography. For Showcase Shine teams it is important to note that these will be categorised as connected/assisted moves.

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Scoring Criteria

Refer to the following criteria and weighting

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