David and Rose
By Helen Mason

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Profile of Warwick Beginners - David and Rose

I caught up with David and Rose in between rounds at the Northern Universities Dancesport Competition 2005 in Dudley Concert Hall.

David and Rose have been a couple for over three years. They are both enjoying being first years at Warwick University. David is studying Physics and Rose is studying English Literature and Creative Writing. Since they were both studying different subjects they were keen to find a hobby that would enable them to spend their spare time together. Rose said that she had always wanted to try Ballroom Dancing so 4 months ago they started to attend the university's Ballroom and Latin American Dancesport Club.

I asked them what it was about dancing that they enjoyed. They said it was great fun and good exercise. Rose said she definitely felt fitter as a result. They also like the fact that it is something they can do together. They decided to do competitions because they felt they needed a purpose for learning, so they wouldn't waste their new skills.

We were interrupted by the announcement for the semi-final of the Beginners' Waltz. We listened carefully and when their number was announced we were surrounded by cheering and whooping from the rest of the Warwick team. David and Rose got up to dance their semi-final with huge smiles.

When they sat down it took some time for them to regain their composure. This was only their second competition. After less than 4 months of dancing with only 2 private lessons they had fought off all the other couples to get to the semi-final. Rose said that they were really happy. They had come along for the enjoyment of the event with no expectations of getting any recalls, so each round they made was a bonus. They said it would never stop being fun if you thought in those terms.

I asked the couple how much they practice and Rose didn't think they really practised enough. She is also a musician and has musical commitments so unfortunately doesn't have the time to commit 100% to dancing. I asked Rose if she thought being a musician gave her an advantage over the other dancers, and although she said that the ability to count the music is good, she thought all the dancers had that ability so it didn't really give them much benefit.

Finally I asked them if the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing had influenced them. They both replied that they hadn't really watched it, so no. However they did point out that the numbers in the classes had increased significantly, especially the boys who sometimes outnumber the girls, and they suspected that this was a direct result of the programme.

Sam & Kate

My name's Sam Pacheco, I study Computer and Management Sciences and I have been dancing for about 4 months. I can't really explain why I joined L&B Dancesport. Peer pressure maybe, or simply a desire to be able to do something more exciting on the dance floor than just bobbing up and down. I started competing because I wanted to know what to aspire to and where I stood. I'm rather chuffed that Kate and I got to the quarter finals in the cha cha cha and waltz on our first try.

Kate also made it to the final of the Acrobatic Rock and Roll with Jono.