The IVDA / EADA Training day



On Saturday the 21 January 2006 the first IVDA EADA training day took place in Egham with 21 couples from 7 Universities with a range of experience and abilities.

The day started with a short introduction to EADA and the open circuit by David Corfield. We then continued with a 11/2 hr lecture by Stephan Hannah. He started with the importance of floor craft, quite appropriately as the floor for the first hour was only a quarter of the total space. Stephan then looked at what he found to be the most important factors that judges look for when marking and gave advice on shape and frame in the waltz and tango.





After a short break for lunch we continued with a lecture by Chris and Justina Hawkins and from Chris’s first question "are you ready for abuse?" we knew that we were in for a interesting a entertaining day, we weren't to be disappointed.

With 3 hours of lectures ahead, Chris and Justina set to work. We started with waltz by doing a short routine which was broken down step by step only continuing when Chris and Justina were happy.



After a couple of hours of waltz we went on to quickstep after a short break for lunch. We went through a range of exercises aimed at helping with what Chris and Justina see as the main problems that couples have with the quickstep. All of the exercises couples will find useful as their quicksteps advance. I for one am building the exercises in to my training regime.



All in all it was an entraining day, although Chris may regret telling us not to slap our balls on the floor when commenting on our footwork! I would like to thank all of the lectures as well as Chris Hawkins, Rachelle Stretch and David Corfield for organizing the event. My name is going top of the list for any future events of this kind and I would recommend it to anyone else.

Anyone wanting to know more about University dancing go to www.universitydancesport.com

Submitted by Craig Holes 8/2/06