"If the young dont get involved the sport will wither."

There's two different things going on, which we shouldn't confuse.

On the one hand, there are small eltist efforts to train a handfull of athletic young dancers. This is getting a lot of press in top (or near-top) divisions, but it's "you're nobody if you don't start by 15" message is perhaps one of the most harmfull things that has ever happened to ballroom.

On the other hand, there are collegiate type programs involving large numbers of relatively "average" students and younger adults, in a more sustainable and non-elitist approach to ballroom. Also some similar broad based youth programs that are more about participation than cutthrough competition. These are one of the more positive things to happen as they promise a future pool of involved adults at all age levels.

Instead of arguing around and around in circles go to a country that produces a multitude of young dancers and copy. I'm talking about Russia. If you look at the results in Europe you will see what I mean. For one thing how do they manage to send such a hugh team to the German Championship . This involes housing, feeding, chaperoning travel and so on.

It could be, a permanent trend, but if it is I think ballroom will loose a lot of its traditional ideas.

Instead, I'm hoping that the trend slows to the point where there is a wider distribution of ages in the open elgibility category. And renewed interest on some of the dance qualities that typical come from long experience - the things that the kids overlook in trying to be fast and flashy.

The best age for starting to dance is --- the age you are today! Go for it and enjoy!

Ellen: Hooray for you !!. Have the mindset to do what you want to do today for tomorrow is too late. Let the young have their day and then learn from them for they are the fruits of our labors, they are the freshest fruit on the tree.Plant the seed (Teach them the basics) water them along the way, watch them grow, be proud they kick your butts,humble them by asking them for help. Owen

In another place I pointed out that in my country in a competition over 50% of the field are over 35. This is if you count Juvenile Junior, Youth and Adult as one. The good thing that could come out of this is that the Seniors will create a flow on, and encourage their grandchildren to take up the sport. And who knows they may compete.In my humble opinion this needs to be looked at and in some way encouraged. I only wish those at the top would get off their behinds and do something positive.

Don: I couldnt agree more. Most "Problems" start at the top. Complacency reins when one is the leader. When the leaders stop learning then they become targets of unrest. If they continue to learn and adapt then harmony continues. Owen