Picking competitions...

[ttd]

Yeah, i count indiana challenge as indianpolis, and where I live, it's actually a longer trip to Indiana challenge (ok, it's schererville, not indiapanolis. s hhhh ) than it is up to milwaukee for Wisconsin state.

They must have moved, my friend went this year and she said the event was held very close to Chicago. The organizers do live in Schererville.

[etp777]

It is close to chicago, problem is I live WAY up in north suburbs.  Think it's 50 miles from my house down to my office.

[dlgodud]

I will probably go big ones because my teacher charges a flat rate. So it does not make sense going to small ones.
It seems that most of proam competitors whose teacher charge a flat rate do the same.

[elisedance]

I will probably go big ones because my teacher charges a flat rate. So it does not make sense going to small one.
It seems that most of proam competitors whose teacher charge a flat rate do the same.

Can you enter as many heats as you like?

My pro charges a flat rate - but then when I do more than one day he charges extra

[dlgodud]

Can you enter as many heats as you like?

My pro charges a flat rate - but then when I do more than one day he charges extra

I could probably do it, but I am not sure. I have to ask him. He is kind of expensive though. Will be more expensive in the future. lol.

[elisedance]

Can you enter as many heats as you like?

My pro charges a flat rate - but then when I do more than one day he charges extra

I could probably do it, but I am not sure. I have to ask him. He is kind of expensive though. Will be more expensive in the future. lol.

I think it depends on a couple of factors - most important whether he is going to be there anyway.  Mine has very few AMs (usually only me ) so to stay an extra day he in essence looses a day of teaching. 

[dlgodud]

Can you enter as many heats as you like?

My pro charges a flat rate - but then when I do more than one day he charges extra

I could probably do it, but I am not sure. I have to ask him. He is kind of expensive though. Will be more expensive in the future. lol.

I think it depends on a couple of factors - most important whether he is going to be there anyway.  Mine has very few AMs (usually only me ) so to stay an extra day he in essence looses a day of teaching. 

I don't know how many students he has. But, I know a few and most of them are competing at big competitions. He himself doesn't go small competitions.

[Rugby]

Looks like cost came into play for picking competitions when it came to the Canadian Closed.  Hardly anyone from Ontario went and Ontario is , in my opinion anyway, the stronghold of ballroom dancing.  The cost to go to the competition was more than the worth of the competition.  Of course living in a large country means travelling a few provinces over is like travelling across Europe.  Why travel that far and pay that much when you are going to meet the main competitors in your own province ( for 98% the same city) a few weeks later anyway.  The status of the comp obvioulsy did not come into play.   

[elisedance]

Looks like cost came into play for picking competitions when it came to the Canadian Closed.  Hardly anyone from Ontario went and Ontario is , in my opinion anyway, the stronghold of ballroom dancing.  The cost to go to the competition was more than the worth of the competition.  Of course living in a large country means travelling a few provinces over is like travelling across Europe.  Why travel that far and pay that much when you are going to meet the main competitors in your own province ( for 98% the same city) a few weeks later anyway.  The status of the comp obvioulsy did not come into play.   

Which is in itself interesting - why do we not feel compelled to go?  I think part of the problem is that one gets the feeling that the only important competitions are the championship events, and of those only really the ones up to adult.  What its really about is picking current and future stars for international events.  Even if that is the main objective (and it is an important one) I think the comp would be far better attended if they made an effort to encourage winners at ALL levels to compete and represent their respective province.

[QPO]

As we hve not danced in all comps we try to go to different ones, this way we can then work out which ones we will do in the future. this year we will nto do as many because we are going to Europe, so we are on a budget.

[Rugby]

Which is in itself interesting - why do we not feel compelled to go?  I think part of the problem is that one gets the feeling that the only important competitions are the championship events, and of those only really the ones up to adult.  What its really about is picking current and future stars for international events.  Even if that is the main objective (and it is an important one) I think the comp would be far better attended if they made an effort to encourage winners at ALL levels to compete and represent their respective province.

I agree.

The only other reason to go is that you want to teach, are in champ level and have to get into the top 6 to be able to do so.  If you are in Gold level up you may go to try and find new competetion but for levels under that it is too far, too much and too little reward.   

[dlgodud]

The size, name, location(distance), cost of course.

I am personally not that interested in going small competitions if I have to pay the same rate to my teacher. For example, winning a scholarship out of 2 couples is not worthy it for me. I would rather like to be a semi-finalist out of 20 couples.

Sometimes, it makes me laugh that people are so proud of their 1st placing out of two couples and brag about it.

The location is also important. In other words, the distance from my place. I will not spend extra dollars for traveling if it is not worthy it to go.

[elisedance]

Sometimes, it makes me laugh that people are so proud of their 1st placing out of two couples and brag about it.

That could be a little harsh - after all those people HAVE paid a fortune to compete and want to see something of their investment - and they may have beaten a couple that routinely bet them before.  Also, for each person you beat there are 10 in the stands that did not compete that you have, in effect, beaten

[pruthe]

If you are new to competitions, might be a good idea to start out with some smaller local comps to get experience of competing before going to the bigger comps. At least that is what they recommend at my studio. I think some people also like smaller comps, because they are more "friendly" and might have more fun.

[elisedance]

I agree - as someone that was thrown into the Emerald Ball as my first comp.  Noone should go through that trauma! [well, at least if you are as sensitive as me ]