Hi all! My name is Lola - have just registered.

I may ask a trivial question - do you think that to start dancing at the age of 25-26 is not late? And by dancing I mean not social dances, but competitive ones.

I always dreamed about dancing, but was always shy to start (was a bit fat too). Then two years ago I started attending ballroom dances (enjoyed much!), but had to interrupt to move to Cairo where I failed to find a dance school. Then - intensive study in the UK. That is a point - I always have parallel career plans. Do you think it is possible to combine serious dancing with serious career?

Dancing is what I never get bored of while watching or dancing. I wish I had started dancing when I was a child...

Is anyone of you in the same situation? I will appreciate your opinion.

Thank you all for replies!

A couple of examples proving that this is possible is what I needed. And you did give them to me!

Hello Lola, and welcome. No, you are not too old for dance. It is a means of life, and until you see your last rising sun, you never will be too old. Social dancing? Of course you should go for it. Competition? If you want to, why not?

I think I hear some insecurity talking in your question... and I am surprised at how often this question or variations thereof comes up on this list. I can only say don't worry about it. If you've taken ballroom before, you probably know more about the subject than 99% of the other people on the planet (a "statistic" taken from Jeff Allen in one his "Quickstart" books). Besides, as a lady, if you do pull a flub on the floor, everyone will just blame your leader, anyho As an ex-instructor of mine use to say, it's always the leader's fault....

If it helps, I didn't start dancing until I was about forty; I know of instructors who didn't start until their late 30's. I'd take a passion for dance over uninspired technical perfection any day.

I'd have to agree with Laura.

You can still accomplish amazing things, but you are probably too late to be the very best.

I know a couple that made finals in Blackpool in the Senior division. He started dancing in grad school. Both have careers - he in academia, she in medicine.

It's never too late to learn to dance and start competing. The real question is what your dance competition golas are.

If your goal is to experience the fun and excitement and self-satisfaction and joy of competition, and to give yourself something to strive for and to learn to be the best you can, then it's definitely not too late.

If your goal is to win a National or International title, then the hard truth is that in all likelyhood it is too late for you. The top competitors -- meaning the top of the top, the National and World champions, started very young and may have 15-20 years of dancing and competing under their belts by the time they are your age.

That said, it is definitely not pointless or silly to get involved. There are many many MANY steps along the path from not-dancing to World Champion, if you love the journey and feel that enjoyment and progress are your goals (not important titles), then go for it.

Hey there--

A word from the USA...your only too old in England

Which is simply to say that ballroom and latin dancing have been and primarily remain adult activities in the US. Many of our pro champion couples are older than you...and I can think of a few excellent pros that started dancing in their late 20's as well. Our amateur champs are a younger bunch sometimes...but not by so very much.

In the US you would still have a shot to be a national champion...but you are disadvantaged. IF you are VERY talented, and you are able to completely devote your life to dancing ALL DAY, and you want a career in the dance industry, and you are lucky enough to find an equally talented, goal-minded partner...well then you might be able to do it. A long shot...but stranger things have happened.

It all depends on how bad you want it and what you will sacrifice to achieve it...that is if you have the raw talent to start with!

On the other hand...you can have a wonderful career and be a National Champion on the pro-am circuit. Take a look at Nancy Senner at the Hotlanta site...she was a champion for many years. You certainly have the time to excell in this division designed for serious, dedicated dancers, who have lives outside of dancing

Good luck! M

championdancesport@comcast.net