Rules & Regulations

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The FL Sunshine Challenge competition will adhere to the current USA Dance DanceSport Rulebook. All competitors should refer to the rulebook prior to completing the entry form and competition. 

ELIGIBILITY

All competitors MUST be members of USA Dance, or other member organization of the WDSF and WDO in good standing. You can sign up for membership through the USA Dance website. 

You may be asked to show your USA Dance Membership Card at Pre-Registration.

Newcomer Couples of which neither member has ever danced as an amateur couple in a ballroom competition are eligible to dance in Newcomer events (in which only the first 5 figures in a bronze syllabus are allowed). Competitors who qualify for Newcomer events may choose to dance in ONLY Newcomer events or in both Newcomer AND Bronze syllabus events.

Both partners must be eligible for each event they enter. 

AGE CLASSIFICATIONS

All age classifications are as of December 31, 2024:

Pre-teen I - The elder partner is 9 years old or younger

Pre-teen II - The elder partner is 10 or 11 years old

Junior I - The elder partner is 12 or 13 years old

Junior II - The elder partner is 14 or 15 years old

Youth - The elder partner is 16 to 18 years old

Under 21 - The elder partner is 16 to 20 years old

Adult - The elder partner is 19 years old or older

Senior I - One partner must be 35 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 30

Senior II - One partner must be 45 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 40

Senior III - One partner must be 55 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 50

Senior IV - One partner must be 65 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 60

Senior V -One partner must be 75 years old or older, the other partner must be at least 70

Freestyle-Showdance/Cabaret - Both partners must be 16 years old or older
 

Pre-Teen I, Pre-Teen II, Junior I, Junior II and Youth may dance their age division and one division higher.

Seniors may dance their age division and one division lower.
 

Per USA DanceSport rules, rest time will be allowed between rounds of any one event. In the interim, we will run other events, such as the same event for different age categories. Competitors that register for events in more than one age category should consider that the events would probably be run back-to-back.

EVENT FORMAT

Each event will consist of one, two, three, four, or five dances danced in succession without leaving the floor. The best-combined score for all dances will determine places in that event. Awards will be presented to the top six couples in each event. We may cancel/combine events with fewer than three [3] entries.

The competition is organized into Syllabus and Open events. Syllabus events are offered in the following proficiency levels: Newcomer (1st five figures of Bronze), Bronze, Silver and Gold.  Open events are offered in proficiency levels of Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship.  

Competitors may enter up to two consecutive proficiency levels in each style or discipline with the same partner at the minimum level for which they are qualified and one higher (e.g., Newcomer and Bronze, Bronze and Silver, Silver and Gold, Gold and Novice, Novice and Pre-Champ, Pre-Champ and Champ.)

INIVIGILATION & FIGURES

No lifts are permitted in any division except Freestyle Showdance.

No props are allowed in any division.

In American Smooth and Rhythm Syllabus events, figures from any recognized published syllabus are acceptable, including NDCA, ISTD, North Am. Dance Society, Arthur Murray, Fred Astaire and Pan-Am. See USA Dance website for a sample syllabus. In Smooth Newcomer and Bronze events, competitors must use closed footwork; continuity styling will be penalized.

In International Standard and Latin Syllabus events, only approved figures are allowed.

All Syllabus Viennese Waltz, Mambo and Paso Doble event competitors are restricted to any syllabus level figures.

All closed syllabus events will be invigilated using the current USA Dance Syllabus list of elements and restrictions.  Penalties may be given without warning for any syllabus infractions.

DRESS/COSTUMES

Please refer to the current USA DanceSport Rulebook Edition for specific costume regulations. Dresses have to create the characteristic shape for each discipline and dresses and make-up have to respect the age and level of dancers. Costumes are recommended for Youth, Adult & Senior, Novice, Pre-Championship and Championship events.

Risk Liability Disclaimer: 

By entering into the competition or attending any USA Dance Events, it is understood, and you acknowledge that there are risks associated with dance and this event, which include by not limited to personal injury, risk of loss, or damage to property. USA Dance 6010; the Tallahassee Senior Center cannot be held liable for personal injury, risk of loss or damage to personal or stolen property, this includes risks associated with dance and this event, which include by not limited to personal injury, risk of loss, or to COVID-19, sustained by persons attending the event but not limited to, Board of Directors, volunteers, employees, vendors, sponsors or any other person acting on behalf of USA Dance, Inc, USA Dance 6010; and the Tallahassee Senior Center. 

Participates voluntarily enters the Competition, Dance Camp/Workshops; and/or Social Dances assumes all these risks. Participates hereby swears that to the best of their knowledge they are physically and mentally to participate in this event. 

The Tallahassee Senior Center is a non-smoking establishment. 

USA Dance is not responsible for loss or theft of articles left in hotels, changing rooms, ballrooms, parking lot or other event facilities.  

The ballroom is cool; please dress warmly as no outer-wear jackets or coats and no large bags or backpacks are permitted in ballroom.

Persons not conforming to acceptable standards of behavior may, at the sole discretion of the chapter or event organizer, be asked to leave the event venue premises.