Junior rock'n'roll dancers sweep podium at nationals
A group of Invercargill junior rock'n'roll dancers impressed on the dance floor, sweeping the podium at the nationals during the weekend.
About 15 members of the Invercargill Rock 'n' Roll Club took part in the Junior Nationals in Porirua.
President Karl Herman said the club had the largest junior membership in New Zealand and its group returned home with nine first places, three seconds and four third placings.
Competitors were aged between 5 and 17 years old.
"It was an outstanding achievement and a weekend full of emotions and first times with juniors being at their first nationals and some being at their last."
Among them were duo Lara Kerr and Lara Hibbs, who competed in several categories and got first place in the same-sex 13-to-17-year-old section.
Mr Herman said their presentation was very impressive.
"They danced with exceptional skills and passion.
"Most importantly, they both won this section last year and also this will be their last junior nationals, [as] they will be too old next year to compete.
While it was always good to return with victories, the most important thing was to have fun, Mr Herman said.
"I like to teach the kids of our club that you're just going out to have fun and if you get to the podium, it's just a bonus.
"We don't push our kids to win or to be first place or whatever — we just push our kids to go out there and have fun and I believe that's what's encouraged them to do really well."
Mr Herman said the club would start another round of junior classes soon, so people interested should get in touch to learn all the rock'n'roll moves and have a good time.
luisa.girao@odt.co.nz
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