Gillingham 2011
 Text By Suzanne Woodward |
Stirring in a lovely warm bed with the sun beating through the curtains is exactly what was needed on the morning of Sunday 10th April. With two young children, a 9.00am lie in is something that very rarely happens in our household, but thanks to a wonderful husband I was provided with a tonic which I had no idea would be good enough to carry me through the course of the busy day ahead.
Glorious sunshine certainly set the scene for the day and after a morning spent enjoying home life, I set off for the journey to Gillingham. Accompanied by a good friend, the journey took an hour and a half but seemed like half the time with a good old natter!
Being the third DanceRite competition of 2011 and the 6th competition that I have participated in, I am confident that I have remembered everything. Dresses? Check! Shoes? Check! Make up? Check! I am sure the question “Have I remembered everything?” also swirls around every dancer’s head. Or does it?
Pulling into a parking space at Medway Park Leisure Centre in Gillingham, the familiar site of beautiful people starts to make me feel at ease. Making our way to the “dancing destination” was as exciting as ever and after easily locating DanceRite’s area, I settle down amongst friendly faces. However, there is one question which I have to ask myself; “Has the dance floor “grown” since last year?” Watching the juniors, they seem to be getting lost in Gillingham’s Bermuda Triangle.
Time was ticking along nicely with juniors still competing and I find myself bopping away to the tunes being danced to by them. Looking around, I observe a number of other waiting participants as guilty as me! Foot tapping, hip swinging and shoulder bopping – it is all happening! Or maybe it is just nerves!
At 4.45pm the warm up is announced and within seconds the floor is crowded.
In the DanceRite Zone and with an entourage of 33 people including 26 competitors, I look around to see a maze of colour and sparkle glistening back at me. I smile. Let the show begin!
Some excited, some nervous, the DanceRite competitors take to the floor and as always, the dancing is of an exceptionally high standard. The effort that an individual puts into each move is like that of a foal taking its first steps into the world. The concentration on performing correctly, yet endeavouring to remember to enjoy the experience at the same time, is an exhausting task.
However exhausting, one cannot deny that the overall experience of every competition is completely different and is personal to each individual.
Overall, a very successful day with excellent results. A total of 41 medals were won with 8 first places. I believe that a special congratulations should go to Sandy who achieved first place in both Ballroom and Latin.
Well done to you all and, of course, a special thanks to the two people who make it all possible, Fredric and Vicki.
Roll on Hove!
Pictures
Result
Social Dance Test |
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Under 35 |
Ballroom |
Latin |
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| Elizabeth | |||
| Lauren | 1 | ||
| Matilda | 7 | ||
| Natalia | 6 | ||
| Nicole | |||
| Rachel | 5 | 4 | |
| Roman | 3 | ||
| Stuart | 6 | ||
Over 35 |
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| Amanda | 3 | ||
| Carl | |||
Over 50 |
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| Lindy | 2 | 1 | |
| Norma | |||
Pre Bronze |
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Under 35 |
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| Victoria | 2 | 6 | |
Over 35 |
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| Jo | 3 | 5 | |
| Julie | 4 | ||
| Simon | 5 | ||
| Suzanne | 1 | 6 | |
Over 50 |
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| Florence | 4 | 3 | |
Bronze |
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Under 35 |
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| Christopher | |||
| Lauren | |||
Over 50 |
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| Mike | 1 | 7 | |
| Teresa | 3 | 3 | |
Silver |
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Under 35 |
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| Joanna | |||
| Nicole | 5 | ||
Over 35 |
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| Amanda | 2 | 1 | |
Gold |
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Under 35 |
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| Christine | 5 | 5 | |
Over 35 |
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| Sandy | 1 | 1 | |
Couples |
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| Chris/Elizabeth | 6 | ||
| Roman/Natalia | 2 | 4 | |
| Amanda/Victoria | 5 | ||
| Jo/Christine | 6 | 6 | |
| Simon/Suzanne | 3 | ||
| Mike/Teresa | 3 | 5 | |
| Sandy/Julie | 1 |