I have been training for compettion for about 2 years. I have done some pro-am. I would love to have a partner. Does the word competition scare you guys off or what? Where are all the men who want to compete??? Any creative suggestions on how to find a partner for competitions???? Always on the lookout.

That's not entirely true...I would consider competition :). Poking around occasionally, and I'm sure everyone else here with infinitely more experience will tell you, finding a partner is the single most hard thing to do. I'll leave the suggestions to the pros and the 'seasoned' amatuers. However, I would like you to know that ther are guys out there who do consider competing...

For every hour you lessoned with a coach, some amateur has put in 3 or 4 hours practicing, so you are probably newcomer level (but your 'pro' dancing was at a higher level). This is due to the fact that dancesport is a peer to peer sport; an artform/sport that takes training and skills that take time and repetition, and not something you do an hour or two a week.

If you 'try out' with a beginner man, he will of course not feel like your coach, but he WILL be at your level - think of it as a 'reality check' that that is the way YOU feel when a high level leader dances with you. You then will see that you have lots of work to do. And then - go witht he beginner man. He's really at your level, and you will progress very quickly when you have a partner to give YOU feedback and train with.

Don't be discouraged by this commentary - many folks look at pro-am as simply a nice diversion ala 'pottery class' or some such diversion - so you are going to have some bumps along the way (the amateur partner, for example, does not have to tell you that you are good, but a coach needs to make you fell good to keep the lessons going). it is infinately more rewardingm though, to dance well...

Try to work on becomming a really, really good follower. Be light and responsive. Have impeccable technique.

And display an attitude that is compatible with amateur competition dancing. Seem patient, ready to put in lots of work, ready to endlessly review basics.

The biggest mistake you could make would be to expect to dance the same way in amateur competitions you do in pro-am. Rather, to do well in amateur comps you both really have to know all the details. Expect to dance a much lower level - probalby basic syllabus - in amateur comps until you have won a few times.