Hello,

I have fairly recently started learning ballroom dancing, and already have an offer for a partner to train for competitions with. I am wanting opinions from those experienced in this area on whether it's a good idea to team up straight away, or better to learn on your own to start with (in terms of speed of learning)?

Thanks,
"Novice"

Both.

You need a partner or at least a friend to practice with outside of class.

But you also need to do some learning on your own, and dancing with a variety of people is also good.

Who says you can't do both? Try the partnership, but also make some time for a bit of practice (or even lessons) on your own.

If you want to compete then the best advice is dance with your partner to get fimiliar with each others dancing..

Private lessons is the way to go bro!

Remember, bad social dancing gets into your body just as fast as good 'real' dancing, so I suggest finding someone to partner with and practice as much as possible. if you are a leader, in a year or two you can try doing leading on others - by that time you'll be strong enough not to be pulled and contorted by others. In the meantime, you have plenty of work to do with a regular partner.

Remember, it's a journey, not a destination.

Oh, and don't be swayed by nondancers - they'll say "I follow anything' (but they only 'follow' mirror image social movement) or they'll say "i've taken lessons for xx years' (when it was 4 group classes each year, and then social dancing).

Without any shadow of even the slightest doubt, you should team up with a partner to learn. Good partnerships are precious. Take the chance