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NZOpen complies with the competition guidelines of the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC). As a competitor, you are responsible for knowing the divisions in which you are eligible/required to compete, for understanding the WSDC Points Registry Rules, and for using your WSDC Competitor ID number when registering for competitions. WSDC rules mandate that you dance in the Jack & Jill divisions at the appropriate skill level for which you qualify.

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The New Zealand Open follows the petition processes mandated by the WSDC. Petitions may be made for dancing one skill level above or one skill level below normal only. 

  • Petitions one level down may be made to the Chief Judge.  Petitions down are event specific and not transferable. 

  • Petitions one level up must be made directly to the WSDC Chief Judges committee at least 15 days prior to the event, and must include two videos of the petitioners dancing. Petitions up are valid for 6 months and are transferable between events, and must be submitted through the following link: https://worldsdc.com/level-up-petition

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To compete at NZOpen, you must:

  • Purchase an event pass that includes competitions

  • Register for competitions using danceconvention.net

  • Demonstrate good sporting conduct at all times, both on and off the competition floor. This includes treating your partners, other competitors, competition officials, spectators, and the event itself with respect.

  • Know the rules. Read the rules carefully prior to the competition. You are responsible for following the rules whether or not you have read them.

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In addition,

  • There are no mandatory competitor meetings at NZOpen.  

  • You are responsible for checking the event schedule and knowing the time of your competitions.

  • The Event Directors reserve the right to cancel any division with fewer than five couples.

  • If your name is not called by the final preliminary heat in your division, see the emcee or Chief Judge immediately to let them know you signed up but were not yet called.

  • If you are not in the ballroom when the last name is called to the floor for the final preliminary heat in your division, you will not compete.

  • During semi-final and final rounds, if you are not present in the ballroom after the last name has been called to the floor, we will call the alternate(s) to dance in your place. Once the alternate has been called, the dancer not present is out of the competition.


WSDC JACK & JILLS

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NZOpen Jack & Jills are gender neutral. Please refer to WSDC Rules at  WSDC Points Registry Rules - World Swing Dance Council for the qualifications and requirements of the WSDC skill level divisions, which are Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and All-Star. The following chart has been duplicated for ease of reference. Please note that Newcomer may or may not be available for registration at the New Zealand Open. ​​

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Competitors may compete in a maximum of two WSDC skill level J&J competitions per event; Once in your primary role, and once in your secondary role. If you qualify for more than one skill division (e.g. you have enough points in a particular division that you may move up, but are not required to), then you may select either of the available options to compete in as your primary role for the New Zealand Open. You must remain in the same role for each respective competition. 

Your secondary role is the opposite of your primary one. If you choose to register in your secondary role you may opt to do so either one or two levels lower than your primary role, unless your existing points in either of those roles would require you to compete in a higher level. If you are required to compete in the same division in your primary and secondary roles based on the number of points you have accumulated in each, then you may only select one role for the competition. 

For example:

  • A Follower who competes in the Advanced J&J division, but has no points as a leader could select to compete as a leader in either the Intermediate or Novice J&J levels. 

  • The same Follower with 30 Novice points as a leader could only select the Intermediate J&J to compete as a leader as they are required to move out of Novice at that point. 

  • If the same Follower instead had 45 Intermediate points as a Leader, then they would have to select whether to lead or follow in the Advanced division and cannot dance in multiple skill levels for the J&J. They may select which role to compete as.  
     

 

Strictly Swing Competitions:

Strictly Swing competitions are entered as a couple, and you will be competing with the same partner throughout the entire competition. If you qualify to compete at more than one J&J skill level you may select which to compete at for the Strictly Swing, and it does not have to be the same level as you selected for the J&J competition except as noted under the Open Strictly rules. You may compete in both your primary and secondary roles as noted under the J&J section.

We have two categories:

 

  1. Newcomer/Novice

    • Both members of the couple must be eligible to compete in either the Newcomer or Novice J&J competitions. 
       

  2. Open Strictly

    • Open to any level of dancer, including Novice and Newcomers. 

    • As an additional restriction for the New Zealand Open, at least one member of each couple must be ineligible to compete in either Advanced, All-Star, or Champions J&J competitions.  

 

​NON-WSDC JACK & JILLS

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Invitational Jack & Jill Participation is at the discretion of the Event Directors. Role-switching within the dance is permitted, lifts below the shoulder are allowed.

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COMPETITION FORMATS

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  • All dancing must be lead/follow. Pre-choreographed routines, in whole or in part, are not allowed.

  • At least 80 percent recognizable swing content is required for all divisions, with the exception of the Invitational Jack & Jill, where 75 percent swing content is required.

  • For Jack & Jill competitions, all competitors must wear their bib numbers for all rounds of competition. Bibs are only required for leaders in the Strictly Swing divisions. Bibs are not required for the Invitational Jack & Jill.

  • You and your partner must maintain physical contact except for spins, turns, short breakaways, and recoveries.

  • “In the air” partner weight support moves (lifts, aerials) and acrobatic manoeuvres are not allowed, with the exception of an Invitational Jack & Jill, where lifts below the shoulder are allowed.

  • “On the ground” support moves (such as drops and slides) are allowed. However, you and your partner must each maintain at least one foot in physical contact with the floor during support moves.

  • Clothing will not be judged, there are no clothing specific restrictions but a reasonable standard is of course expected.

 

NZOpen makes every effort to conduct all competitions in accordance with current WSDC guidelines and reserves the right to update our Competition Rules should WSDC requirements change.

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NZOpen also reserves the right to make any changes in the competition schedule or format as we deem necessary.

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