promoting up...

[elisedance]

So when do you move 'up' a catagory?  Do you wait till you are 'forced' up (promoted by accumulation of wins or points) or do you move up when you feel ready?

Here you have to win three times at your level in comps where there is a full final  (6 or more couples) before you have to go up to the next level.  However, you can move up if you just feel like it - but if you do and do not continue to compete in your current catagory you can not move down again.

We are now in Senior Pre-Champ and are toying with competing in Championshiip as well (we are definitley not ready to 'move up' permanently yet).  How did you get promoted or decide?  Anyone start directly at a higher than beginner level?

[QPO]

Not 100% sure what the arrangments are in Australia, but I believe you must have 5 wins with a minimum of four couples on the floor to elevate.  If there are more than four couples you must take the points if there are not you can nominate to take the points. I believe in our first comp the couple that beat us nominated to take the points, but you have to advise before you start the comp that if you win you will be taking the points.

If you are at a lower level I am sure you would be keen, to move out of the lower level so you don't have the dress change all the time. We elevated quite a bit this year quickly as we won at championship events which means automatic elevation to the next level.

We are now Level 3 or "c" grade and are happy to stay at that level for quite a while to consolidate our dancing.

I think the decision to move up should be done on the basis of stretching to improve and not stretching to stress and only the couple and coach can make that decision.

[elisedance]

We still fit in the pre-championship catagory but are prevailing wiht dancing up to championship.  You have to be careful in Quebec though because they have an odd rule: if you compete in championship and make the finals you are promoted.  That means (at one extreme) if you start with 8 couples and beat two of them - you are permanently promoted.  Thats one of the nuttier rules for sure!  It would make sense if you start with a quarter final and make the finals - that way you would have to beat at least half the field...