Rules, Definitions & Judging Criteria ~ 2024
DEFINITIONS
Professional
Once a dancer competes as a Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Professional dancers may compete with an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions.
Rising Star Professional
Rising Star is an entry level professional division. Once a dancer competes as a Rising Star Professional, they can no longer compete as an amateur. Rising Star Professional dancers may partner an amateur in the Pro-Am divisions. Rising Star Professionals may also compete in the Professional division.
Should a Rising Star professional win 3 competitions in a dance style with a minimum for 3 competitors, and/or make the final with a minimum of 8 competitors, they will not be permitted to compete in Rising Star in that style in the future. If a dancer wins Rising Star at an event in a style with a minimum of 3 competitors, they may not compete in Rising Star again at the specific event, in that specific style.
Amateur
Amateurs may not compete in Rising Star Professional, or Professional level competition, or as the Professional in a Pro-Am competition. Amateur level dancers may teach, and receive payment for teaching or performing.
Amateur Intermediate Showcase
Amateur Intermediate Showcase is an entry level amateur division. Should a dancer win Amateur Intermediate Showcase 3 times in a dance style with a minimum of 3 competitors, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style in the future. Intermediate dancers can challenge Amateur Advanced Showcase as many times as they want, but if an Amateur Intermediate dancer wins the Amateur Advanced division with a minimum of 3 competitors, and/or makes the final with a minimum of 8 couples, they will no longer be permitted to compete in Amateur Intermediate Showcase in that style.
Amateur Advanced Showcase
An advanced amateur level of showcase competition. There are no limits to how many times a dancer can win Amateur Advanced Showcase.
Pro Am Ladies
A professional dancer dancing with an amateur lady
Pro Am Men
A professional dancer dancing with an amateur man
Showcase Divisions
Defined as a category where the partnership, the solo dancer or the team showcases their choreography and dances to the music of their choice.
Heated (Just Dance) Divisions
A category where all partners or couples dance together on the stage or floor to music that is selected by the organization or DJ. Heats generally last 1- 1.5 minutes. This is a lead/follow division, rather than choreographed and is designed to show the ability to connect with one's partner and display timing, musicality and creativity to whatever music is played. No lifts, tricks, flares or drops are permitted.
Professional Showcase & Heated Divisions
A couple is defined as one male and one female dancer.
Amateur Showcase Divisions
A couple is defined as one male and one female dancer.
Amateur and Pro Am Heated Divisions
A couple is defined as one lead and one follow.
Open
A competition division which is open to all levels (professional, rising star, amateur or a mix of all three), all ages and all styles unless the style is otherwise specified in the division title.
Team Division
A team must consist of a minimum of 3 dancers. No maximum number of dancers.
Pro Am Team Showcase Divisions
A team must consist of a minimum of 3 dancers. No maximum number of dancers. At least one dancer must be a professional. At least one dancer must be an amateur.
Pro Am Over 40 Divisions
Amateur partner must be 40 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one lead and one follow (ie. a female instructor can lead a female student).
Pro Am Over 50 Divisions
Amateur partner must be 50 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one lead and one follow.
Amateur Over 40 Divisions
Defined as an amateur couple whose partners are BOTH 40 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one male and one female.
Amateur Over 50 Divisions
Defined as an amateur couple whose partners are BOTH 50 years of age or older on the day of the competition. A couple is defined as one male and one female.
8 & Under
Dancers must 8 years of age or younger on the day of the competition to compete in this division.
12 & Under
Dancers must be 12 years of age or younger on the day of the competition to compete in this division.
17 & Under
Dancers must be 17 years of age or younger on the day of the competition to compete in this division.
Shines Showcase
A shines categories may include tricks but may not include lead and follow patterns
Salsa
All styles of Salsa are accepted. Couples can choose to dance either On-1 or On-2 but must maintain consistent to that timing for the duration of the routine or heat. Recognized timing for this competition is 1-2-3/5-6-7. Pro Am & Amateur Heated Divisions will have separate categories for Salsa on 1 and for Salsa on 2.
CANCELLATIONS
If there are fewer than 3 entries in any division, the CSBC reserves the right to cancel or combine that division. If a division is cancelled, the entry fee will be refunded. If a division is combined, entry fee will apply to the combined division.
COSTUMES
Competitors are encouraged to wear costumes or matching outfits. We strongly suggest that jeans not be used as costumes. Costumes will be judged as part of Presentation. For Pro Am heated divisions and Amateur heated divisions, one person from each couple will be asked to wear a fabric number sign pinned to their back in . In any Amateur Division, the male will wear the number sign. In any Pro Am Division, the Amateur will wear the number sign.
PROPS
No props are allowed in any division. A prop is defined as any item that is not part of their regular costume worn by the dancers, and that is not attached to the dancer or their costume for the full duration of their routine.
DISPUTES
The head judge will have final say on all discrepancies. All questions and/or disputes should be brought to the attention of the head judge that evening.
SHOWCASE DIVISIONS
These competitions will be a “one-shot” deal, meaning that in the Professional, Amateur and Pro-Am Showcase Divisions, each couple will present a maximum 2:30 minute choreographed routine using their choice of music. The panel of judges will judge each couple. Top 3 in each division will receive medals.
OFFICIAL QUALIFIERS & TITLES:
Top scoring Canadian couple in the Professional Salsa Showcase Division will win the title of Canadian Salsa Champions.
Top scoring Canadian couple in the Professional Bachata Showcase Division will win the title of Canadian Bachata Champions.
Top scoring Canadian couple in the Amateur Salsa Showcase Division will win the title of Canadian Amateur Salsa Champions.
Top scoring Canadian couple in the Amateur Bachata Showcase Division will win the title of Canadian Amateur Bachata Champions.
First place in the Professional Ladies Salsa Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus win a free weekend pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Professional Ladies Bachata Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus win a free pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Professional Men Salsa Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus win a free pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Professional Men Bachata Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus win a free pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Amateur Advanced Ladies Salsa Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus receive a certificate for $40 off their weekend pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Amateur Advanced Ladies Bachata Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus receive a certificate for $40 off their weekend pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Amateur Advanced Men Salsa Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus receive a certificate for $40 off their weekend pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place in the Amateur Advanced Men Bachata Solo Showcase will represent Canada and qualify to the semi final round plus receive a certificate for $40 off their weekend pass at The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place couple in the Amateur Salsa Showcase will each win a free weekend pass to The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
First place couple in the Amateur Bachata Showcase will each win a free weekend pass to The Summit Championships in Orlando, January 2025.
A Canadian couple is defined as two dancers that both live in Canada and have lived in Canada for a minimum of 3 years. Please note these divisions are open to all competitors - local, national and international. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place medals or trophies will be awarded. The top scoring Canadian couple will win the title of Canadian Salsa or Bachata Champions regardless of where they placed amongst the international group of competitors.
Rules
Length of Routine:
Professional Showcase, Amateur Showcase and Pro Am Showcase divisions may be no less than 1.5 minutes and no more than 2.5 minutes long.
Team showcase divisions between 1.5 minutes and 3 minutes.
This includes optional entrance and/or exit music. Dancers will have no more than 20 seconds to get into place for performance. Any choreography prior to the beginning of the music will be counted toward the overall timing of the performance. Likewise, dancers will have a maximum of 20 seconds at the conclusion of the performance to exit the floor.
Music: A maximum of 3 songs can be mixed into your routine. Please submit music in advance by uploading to the appropriate division via links on the competition page. See information and guidelines on competition page.
If you have not submitted in advance (and as a back-up) bring 2 USB's with their pre-recorded music (ie. in case one USB does not work). One track on each USB only. Song must be edited to end where you chose (it is not the DJ’s responsibility to fade out or cut music at specific mark). The DJ will not slow down or speed up your track. Each USB must be identified with your name, competitor number and the division that you are competing in.
Order of competitors in Showcase divisions: Order will be assigned randomly by the eventtabs system.
Check-in: All competitors must check-in in advance during the designated check in times. See schedule page for details and times.
If showcase competitors do not check in on time and/or are not backstage at the call time, they will be disqualified with no refund. If heated competitors do not check in on time, they may be scratched from their division with no refund on the entry fee.
Professional Salsa Showcase Division: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops and lifts are allowed. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides. Routine must consist of at least 95% recognizable salsa dancing.
Professional Bachata Showcase, Cha Cha Showcase & Hustle Showcase Divisions: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops & lifts allowed. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Amateur Salsa, Bachata & Hustle Showcase Divisions & Team Salsa & Team Bachata Divisions: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops and lifts are allowed. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides. Routine must consist of at least 95% recognizable Salsa, Bachata or Hustle dancing.
Pro Am Salsa & Pro Am Bachata Showcase Division: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops and lifts are allowed. Shines are permitted although not more than 30% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides. Routine must consist of at least 95% recognizable salsa or bachata dancing.
Team Showcase Divisions: Rhythm must be maintained consistently throughout the performance. Dips, drops and lifts are allowed.
Judging Criteria (all showcase divisions):
20% TIMING The majority of the routine should show recognizable Timing in that dance genre (ie. Salsa, Bachata, Hustle*)
15% MUSICALITY Couples will demonstrate their ability to creatively work with the timing of their individual music. This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc.
15% GENERAL DANCE TECHNIQUE & DANCE SPECIFIC TECHNIQUE Dance technique is reflected through balance, placement and line. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. Movement should appear to be both clear and effortless. Dance specific technique is sometimes referred to as "latin motion" or "sabor"
15% DIFFICULTY Reflected by difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shine movements, and level of tricks, dips, drops and flares. Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines? Were moves properly executed? How about jumps, kicks, extensions? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed.
15% PARTNERING/CONNECTION This is reflected in the lead/follow aspect of the dance. Are partners truly connected, or are they merely executing choreography while holding hands? Synchronicity during side by sides or shines will also help determine the score in this category.
10% CHOREOGRAPHY The couple’s interpretation of the music. Good choreography should contain clever turn patterns and shines. All choreography should be musical, and couples should show a good usage of the space itself. Originality is a factor here.
10% OVERALL PRESENTATION/SHOWMANSHIP Overall Presentation score includes costuming, showmanship, and also good sportsmanship.
* Recognized Salsa Timing is designated for this competition as 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Competitors can choose to break ON 1 or ON 2, but must maintain consistency for the duration of the routine. The direction of the break step can be either to the front or the back, as long as the timing of the break is consistently maintained (either 1 and 5, or 2 and 6). The majority of the routine should show recognizable Salsa Timing.
HEATED DIVISIONS
A heated division is a lead/follow division, rather than a choreographed routine. Several couples dance on the floor at the same time. Contestants may dance up to three levels (their own level, plus two levels up). Competitors may also enter additional age specific divisions (ie. over 40, over 50, 12 & under, etc). No entrances or exits, no lifts or tricks. A panel of judges will each assign a score to each couple.
Rules:
Rhythm of dance must be maintained consistently throughout the performance.
No dips, lifts or tricks allowed.
Shines are permitted although not more than 20% of the performance may consist of shines or side by sides.
Must be recognizable Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Merengue, Hustle or West Coast Swing dancing according to the division.
Professionals in the Pro Am division may enter a maximum of 5 students in the exact same category and division (e.g.5 female students in Pro Am Ladies Just Salsa On 1 Novice).
Callbacks: If there are fewer than 12 entries in a division, there will likely be no callbacks (ie couples dance just one time). If there are 13-20 entries in a division, then between 6 and 10 couples will be called back to dance one more time to determine final placing. If there are more than 20 entries in a division, then competitors could be called back once or twice to determine final placing. Note: This is subject to change and is up to the discretion of the head judge and the competition managers and may be modified due to time constraints.
Music: In the Pro Am and Amateur Heated Divisions, the competitors will dance to music selected by the DJ. One song will be played in each heat for 1:00-1:30 minutes. For beginner divisions, music will be a bit slower and easier to hear the beats. Music will be mid-tempo for Pre-Intermediate and Intermediate levels and fast music will be played for Pre-Advanced and Advanced divisions.
In the Professional Just Salsa, Just Hustle, Just Cha Cha, Just Bachata and Just Merengue heated divisions, 2 songs will be played, each for 1:00 - 1:30 seconds with a short pause in between the two songs.
Lifts: A lift is defined as any movement during which one of the dancers has both feet off the floor at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner. Whether the feet are 2 inches off the floor or 10 feet off the floor, this type of assisted movement will still be considered a lift or trick. In all heated divisions, no move in which both feet leave the ground at the same time with the assistance or support of their partner will be permitted. If both feet of either dancer leave the ground, points will be deducted. If any part of the body of either dancer is lifted above the partners’ shoulders, the couple will be disqualified with no refund.
Heated Divisions:
Beginner Level
This Beginner level supports good basic dancing and is designed for the beginner dancer/competitor. This level is comprised of basic foundation elements. Must maintain connection at all times (ie. no shines), no traveling across the room. Single and 1 ½ left turns allowed (ie Cross Body Lead) No double turns or multiple spins allowed. No consecutive 1 1/2 turns.
Guideline: will usually be students who have been dancing for less than a year and/or have never competed in a heated competition before.
Pre-Intermediate Level
The Pre-Intermediate level is for those dancers who are advanced beginners or taking Intermediate level classes and newer to competition. This level shows more rhythmic diversity and dancers can add more elements than just the basic foundations. Single and 1 1/2 turns allowed. Can include consecutive 1 1/2 turns (ie cross body lead). No multiple spins.
Guideline: will usually be students who have been dancing for at least a year and may or may not have competed before.
Intermediate Level
This level adds free spins, double turns, traveling in a straight line and everything that most dancers at a nightclub are doing. This level is good, social salsa, bachata or hustle dancing. The Intermediate level adds rhythmic diversity with syncopations and more body movement and styling. Intermediate level patterns allowed including double turns, syncopations and shines. Multiple spins not allowed (ie more than a double).
Guideline: will usually be students who have been dancing at least 1-2 years, may or may not have competed before
Pre-Advanced Level & Advanced Level
The Pre-Advanced and Advanced levels are for the more serious competitor. A dancer should be proficient in intermediate level material before advancing to the advanced level. The advanced level goes beyond good social dancing and is designed for dancers with strong technical skills, timing, musical interpretation and partnering skills. Anything goes – partnerwork, multiple spins, traveling, shines, intricate hand changes in patterns, multiple touch and go spot turns, etc. Must still be lead follow but styling and musicality can be incorporated. No dips, lifts or tricks allowed.
Guideline: will usually be students who have been dancing at least 2 years or may have competed before or been on a student performance team or amateur team.