• Open to all couples living in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji over the age of 16 years.
• Competitors can represent a Dance School, organization or just on their own.
• There is no limit to the number of competitors that can represent a particular school or organization.
• Leaders and followers can be of both genders, but must remain the same role for the whole component which they entered.
• There is no a limit in the number of Categories that a competitor can register and compete. 
• The music selected for the choreographies MUST be 90% of recognized Bachata music. A panel of judges will assets your music to determine if it complies with this requirement. 
• All music for Choreographies, Teams and Shines MUST be provided to the Championship Director NOT LATER than 10 days before the competition. 
• Our division classifications are valid for our competition only and are not associated with any other competitions classification. For the other competitions, please refer to their rules and classifications. 

Jack and Jill Freestyle

• This is for the dancers competing for the title of Australian Bachata Champion 2024.
• To compete in the JNJ, you must register ONLY yourself. There is no need to bring a partner as they will be assigned on each round.
• You will be judged as an individual throughout the JNJ competition component.
• Leaders and followers can be of both genders, but must remain the same role for the whole Jack and Jill.
• All Couple Categories (Amateur, Semi Pro, Professional) will dance 3 rounds.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Couple Teams)

• This is for the teams competing for the title of Australian Bachata Couple Team Choreography Champions 2024.
• All Teams Categories (Amateur, Semi Pro, Professional) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Teams can be made of couples only team.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Shines Teams)

• This is for the teams competing for the title of Australian Bachata Shines Team Choreography Champions 2024.
• All Teams Categories (Amateur, Semi Pro, Professional) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Teams can be made of non couples only.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Couples)

• This is for couples dancing Bachata competing for the title of Australian Bachata Couple Choreography Champions 2024.
• All Couple Categories (Professional, Semi-Professionals, Amateur and Pro Am) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Leaders and followers can be of both genders, but must remain the same role for the whole choreography component.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Soloist)

• This is for soloist dancing Bachata competing for the title of Australian Bachata Couple Choreography Champions 2024.
• All Soloist Categories (Professional, Semi-Professionals, Amateur and Pro Am) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Soloist will compete in a mixed gender category.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

Choreography (Duets)

• This is for duets dancing Bachata competing for the title of Australian Bachata Couple Choreography Champions 2024.
• All Duets Categories (Professional, Semi-Professionals, Amateur and Pro Am) will dance a choreographed song of their choice. This song must no longer than 2 minutes and 20 seconds.
• Duosists will compete in a mixed gender category.
• You will be judged based on the judging criteria outline below.

• Judges will be appointed at the sole discretion of the Championship Directors

• In the event of any dispute, the Competition Directors and the Head Judge of the Panel will make a final decision.
• The results and decisions of the Judges will be final, binding, and conclusive on all matters.
• By entering this contest, entrants accept and agree to be bound by these Official Rules.

Dancers will be judged (from 1 to 10) in the following criteria:

• Rhythm/Timing (30%)
  Do the Dancers exhibit an understanding of the rhythm? Can they maintain the rhythm? When required can they change between the rhythms & syncopations. Are “Highlights” on time?
  
  
• Musicality/Choreography (20%)
  Ability to interpret the music and match the dance to the music. Do the Dancers dance with movements & steps that match the music played?
  
  
• Partnering/Synchronicity (20%)
  Couple Dynamics – Body Movement & flow. Do they interact with each other, dance as a couple? Is there something happening between them or are they just 2 individuals, doing their own thing. N.B Lifts are allowed, however they will not count towards any additional points. If the lift is mis-landed, that may impact your overall score.

• Difficulty/Technique (15%)
Reflected by difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shine movements, and level of tricks, dips, drops and flares. Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines/footwork/solo sections? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed. Technique is reflected through balance, placement and line. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot.

• Overall Presentation /Appearance (15%)
  The complete package. Their entrance and exit, introduction steps, end poses, stage presence & confidence. Moves should be well executed. Any highlights and step sequences should not interrupt the flow of the dance. Are the outfits suitable / well presented; suit the dancers and the performance.
  
  
• FOR TEAMS & SHINES Choreography 
  Are Highlights well placed? Are the moves original (creation or re-creation of moves)? What is the level of difficulty of the moves? How dynamic and clean is their presentation. Does the dancers’ styling suit Salsa dancing and each other, is it unique, does it add to the performance or does it detract from the dance?