Hello fellow dance lovers! Am I right in assuming that Blackpool is the toughest competition out there? What does a dancer have to do to be eligible to compete at it? My instructor will be competing at Blackpool soon. I've seen him in competition at the Championship level here in Korea, and he and his partner definitely are a stand out on the floor, but I'd like to know more about what makes him eligible for Blackpool.

Anyone who hasn't been placed on suspension for doing something wrong is potentially elgible if they follow the proper procedures for entry - dance ability is technically optional, though practically you would want to be comfortable sharing a practice or regional competition floor with the best dancers you've seen. The only real question is that of elgibility for the amateur vs. professional category.

Basically you get an entry form and fill it out and send in your entry fee. That's it -- it's an Open-to-All-Comers competition.

That said, it is such a famous and prestigious competition that it draws everyone from people who do it just to say they've done it up to the very tip top Amateurs and Pros from around the world.

Good luck to your teacher!

Thanks for the responses. The bit about people going to Blackpool to enhance their status does make sense. I imagine that instructors would use a trip to the Blackpool competition as a reason to raise their fee, regardless of their final placement.

That being said, I've heard that the spectators are very knowledgeble. Also, World Superstars are tough opponents.

Probably, the most meaningful thing to do would be to take a look at the final standings, rather than just be awed by the fact that a teacher has competed there.