• Do I need any experience to join BALADS?
• Do I need any experience to enter the competition class?
• I've never danced before, will I find it difficult?
• I've danced before - what is available for me?
• Do I need special footwear?
• Do I need to bring a partner?
• What should I wear to the classes?
• How can I join BALADS?
• How much do lessons cost?
• What dances are taught exactly?
• Do you do any Salsa?
• How can I find out about upcoming socials and guest instructors?
• I am a member of BALADS but am not receiving your emails, what can I do?
• Isn't Ballroom Dancing a sport?

Do I need any experience to join BALADS?

Not at all – we welcome people of all abilities, and that includes complete beginners! The majority of people who join BALADS have never had any dance experience, so you won’t be alone. We run two beginners classes – on Thursdays 8-9pm we have the beginners social class, and Tuesdays 8-9pm we have the beginners competition class.

Back to Top

Do I need any experience to enter the competition class?

No, we welcome beginners on our team and have a special beginners comp class on Tuesdays where everyone who needs to can start on our competition routines from scratch. All the competitions we attend have events specifically for beginners , so you won’t find yourself pitched against experts!

Back to Top

I've never danced before, will I find it difficult?

We're all different and different people will pick things up at different speeds, but we have yet to find someone who thinks it’s completely impossible to learn to dance! Everyone who comes to our classes really enjoy themselves, whether they turn out to have a hidden talent or not. If at any point you find some of the steps a bit tricky or are feeling a little out of your depth, our teachers or the committee members are more than happy to help you- Just ask :)

Back to Top

I've danced before - what is available for me?

People with dance experience are just as welcome at BALADS as the beginners. For those who already have competitive experience, or for those who would like to further their dancing by learning some technique and style and want to try competing, come along to our competition classes on a Tuesday.

Back to Top

Do I need special footwear?

No, you don’t. Some of our members buy dance shoes, but they are definitely not necessary. Just wear any shoes that are comfy and won’t fall off your feet once you grooving on the floor (flip flops, for example, are not a good idea!). If you do want to invest in a pair (which is worthwhile, especially if you plan to enter competitions) then check out the links section where you will find some websites that sell ballroom and latin dance shoes. Feel free to ask any of the committee for a few hints when it comes to what to pick! DSI also offer BALADS members a generous discount of 24%, just give them the discount code LOND02 and the discount will be applied.

Back to Top

Do I need to bring a partner?

Nope, no partner is needed to attend our classes. If you have someone you want to dance with you can bring them, but otherwise just turn up and meet some great new people. In our social class, we swap partners throughout the class so you can experience dancing with lots of different people. In our competition class, you'll get assigned a partner by our coach Neil with whom you'll probably remain for the compeition season so as to improve your dancing as a couple.

Back to Top

What should I wear to the classes?

Whatever you want – within reason…! There’s no need to wear special dancewear or anything like that, just whatever is comfortable and allows you to move easily.

Back to Top

How can I join BALADS?

As long as you’re a member of SURHUL (either a current student, or an ex-student with a life membership) and have purchased your student activities membership for the year, you can join BALADS. It costs £7 to join for the year. You can only attend our classes if you are a member of the society, because of SU/insurance reasons. But for only £7 for the whole year- WHAT A BARGAIN!

Back to Top

How much do lessons cost?

All classes are £3 for a two hour class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mondays are only £1 for 2 hours tuition, thanks to sponsership.

Back to Top

What dances are taught exactly?

In our social classes we usually learn any of the ten ballroom and latin dances, which are cha cha, rumba, samba, jive, paso doble, waltz, quickstep, tango, foxtrot and viennese waltz. We also often have guest instructors to teach us additional dances such as salsa, argentine tango and modern jive. In our competition class, we usually focus on just the four dances needed for competitions – waltz, quickstep, cha cha and jive.

Back to Top

Do you do any Salsa?

We do learn salsa, amongst many other dances, usually when we have guest instructors in. Our salsa group, "RHUL - addicted to salsa", hold salsa practice sessions as well as planning salsa socials in addition to regular BALADS classes and socials. So check out their facebook group, which can be found on our Link Page

Back to Top

How can I find out about upcoming socials and guest instructors?

Check out the website – we will update the news on the homepage regularly. Also, if you are a member you should be on our mailing list through which we will email details of all socials and additional classes. In addition, join our facebook group and follow us on twitter- both will keep you right up to date :)

Back to Top

I am a member of BALADS but am not receiving your emails, what can I do?

If you’re not on the mailing list and want to be, just drop us an email at surhul_balads@yahoo.co.uk and we’ll add you to the list.

Back to Top

Isn't Ballroom Dancing a sport?

There is an element of ballroom and latin dancing called DanceSport, which is competitive dancing. Our competition classes encompass this side of ballroom and latin, which has more of a focus on style and technique in the way you dance, and gives you the opportunity to enter competitions – it’s not as scary as it sounds, it can both exhilarating and a lot of fun!

Back to Top