Dance – Acrobatic Rock and Roll
All sports are very difficult, but I think dance, especially Acrobatic Rock and Roll, is one of the most challenging ones. Many people don’t even consider dance as a sport, but they really don’t know how much strength and concentration it takes to dance. You have to pay attention to the rhythm of the music and to all the other team members or partners you are dancing with. You must be truly hard-working to become a good dancer and to get in a good team or to get a partner. It varies but normally there are trainings almost every day, even at weekends before competitions. All in all, you have to be really committed if you want to start this sport. If you are still interested, read on!
What is Acrobatic Rock and Roll?
Acrobatic Rock and Roll is a competitive and performative type of partner or group dance, which originated from lindy hop. The choreographies are usually very fast, athletic and physically demanding. There are two types of group formations: small (4-6 members) and big (8-12 members). Every group performance has a theme and matching costume that the coaches come up with.
Categories
There are different categories both in formation and in pair. Group competitions have children, junior and adult categories, while in partner dance there is children, junior, B-Class and Main Class. In B-Class there is footwork without acrobatic, and in Main Class there is footwork with acrobatic. The categories are determined by age.
Alex Deli was my secondary coach and my role model whom I always looked up to. He started Acrobatic Rock and Roll when he was 14 years old, and he still hasn’t stopped doing it. He knows how to treat children, and he is also loved by them.
Competitions
There are also several types of competitions: Home Competition, Regional Competition, National competition, European Championship and World Championship. Dancers must collect points to be allowed to enter the European and the World Championships.
Leaderboard
Hungary and Russia lead the leaderboard every year. They are the best dancers in Acrobatic Rock and Roll.
Szupergirls, adult big formation. The best-known and most successful Hungarian team in the history of Acrobatic Rock and Roll.
Personal experiences
I started Acrobatic Rock and Roll when I was 7 years old, and didn’t stop until I was 13. Those 7 years were the most memorable, most exciting and best years of my life.
I danced in pair with my brother and in formation in a big group, the theme of which was The Hunger Games. I achieved good results in both. With the group I took part in a European and in a World Championship in Switzerland and in Prague, where we finished seventh and eighth.
I recommend Acrobatic Rock and Roll to those who are looking for adventure, who want a lot of new experiences, who like to be in company and meet new people, who are persistent, hardworking and can withstand disappointments. In Hungary, one of the best associations is Rock and Magic SE, which I can honestly recommend if you want to join the dancers’ world. The coaches are friendly and caring, but they can also be very strict. Don’t worry, it’s necessary if you want to be a good dancer!
Sources:
cover photo: Rock and Magic SE
