Positive Aspects:
• I really appreciated that the entire competition, including both rounds, was organized within a single day. This made the experience more efficient and helped maintain the energy and focus of the participants.
• The flow between the two rounds was smooth and well-managed, which contributed to a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
Areas for Improvement:
1. Winner Selection and Dance Style:
• It was disappointing to see that the winner performed a style that was not primarily bachata. The dance seemed to be a fusion of various styles, with minimal connection to bachata itself.
• In my opinion, there should be a clearly defined regulation regarding the minimum percentage of bachata content in performances, as is done in some other competitions.
• Furthermore, the finalist included several risky and potentially dangerous movements that are not typically part of social dancing. Surprisingly, the jury did not seem to take this into account, which raises questions about the evaluation criteria.
2. Inconsistent Rules:
• It feels contradictory that a dancer could be disqualified for something minor like dropping a hat, yet not penalized for executing unsafe, acrobatic elements that could cause injuries.
3. Registration Process:
• It was inconvenient that we couldn’t receive our competition number along with our event pass on Thursday or Wednesday. Registration was limited to a two-hour window, which forced many participants to arrive as early as 5 PM, even though the competition started at 7 PM.
• This resulted in a lot of unnecessary waiting time, leaving participants tired before their actual performance. A more compact and thoughtful schedule would improve the overall experience.
4. Scoring System and Round Format:
• The semifinals were evaluated using a simple “yes/no” system, which does not reflect the nuances of a dancer’s performance. A more detailed scoring system would be more appropriate.
• It would also be better if each participant could dance with more partners during their round. Four dances is simply not enough to get a full impression of someone’s social dancing ability.
• With only four partners out of around forty possible ones, the experience becomes more of a lottery, heavily dependent on who you’re paired with, rather than a true measure of your own skills.
5. Final Round Evaluation:
• In the final, dancers were judged as a couple, even though Jack & Jill is supposed to be a non-partnered competition.
• To maintain fairness and stay true to the spirit of social dancing, individual dancers should be evaluated separately in the final round as well.
