Competing looks complicated from the outside, but a first competition is simpler than you would think. Here is everything you need to know.
In the Start class, performances are not placed in order and no results are calculated. A single adjudicator assesses the performance on their own assessment form. So there is no placing to be nervous about — the point is to find out what competing feels like.
There are six dances: waltz, tango, quickstep, samba, cha cha cha and jive. They are danced one after another, and you can enter anything from one to six of them — for the rest you wait at the edge of the floor. The figures allowed are those of the easiest classes, so what you have learned in your lessons is enough. There are no qualifying rounds, and at most ten couples or solo dancers are on the floor at a time. You move up to class E in time, on your coach’s recommendation.
Three things need to be in order before you can enter.
An entrant in the Start class must be a member of a dance club. Agree with your coach which event you are entered in and which dances you will dance — both are given at the time of entry.
No competition licence is required for the Start class. A licence that includes insurance is recommended for everyone, but instead of one an accident insurance policy that covers injuries sustained in competition is enough. A competition licence and an entry in the federation's competitor register only become relevant when you move up to class E.
Entries to the Start classes are made on the organiser's own form; all other classes go through DanceCore. The entry fee is set by the organiser. Instructions and deadlines are on the Club Competitions page and update there straight from the federation's calendar.
There is no actual dress code for the Start class. A tidy dance outfit with dance shoes or gymnastics slippers is enough. You do not need to buy a competition costume for a first competition.
In the official classes, dress is regulated, and the rules get stricter the younger the age group. In class E, decorations and glitter are not allowed. In the Children and Juvenile 1 events make-up is forbidden as well, and long hair is worn in a ponytail or a bun. The exact limits are in the federation’s dress rules.
One rule applies to everyone: no outdoor shoes are allowed in the school, so bring indoor shoes. Using tanning sprays on the school premises is forbidden.
The terms you will hear at the venue and see in the schedule. The Finnish word is given as well, because that is what is printed in the schedule and announced in the hall.
The full rules are on the Finnish DanceSport Federation’s website. The documents themselves are in Finnish.