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£30 per couple.

The perfect introduction to competition awaits! In the Newcomers category, couples can be a thrilling mix of two complete Newcomers or an exciting blend of one Newcomer paired with an experienced intermediate dancer. Dive into the competitive spirit and discover the joy of dancing in this dynamic and supportive environment!

• Both partners must be amateurs.  

• Couples can consist of either two newcomers or one newcomer paired with an intermediate dancer. 

Newcomer Definition:  

• A Newcomer is someone who has never competed in any major dance competition above Newcomer level (local and weekender competitions are allowed – see definition below) 

• You have one calendar year from your first Ceroc Series competition to compete at Newcomer level, unless you place 1st at any of these.

• Must not have placed 1st in ANY previous Newcomer category. 

Intermediate Definition for this category: 

• The Intermediate dancer must never have placed 1st in any Ceroc or Modern Jive competition at the Intermediate level or above (exceptions include categories like Lucky Dip and Pro Am).  

• They may have placed in a Newcomers category previously. 

Major Dance Competitions: 

• Newcomers must not have competed in any major competitions such as Welsh Champs, London/UK Champs, Midland Champs, Northern Champs, Scottish Champs, Pan Asia Champs, Crystal Blues, World Modern Jive Champs, Indie Champs, at Intermediate level (or equivalent) or above. Small local class night or freestyle competitions for fun do not count. 

• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 

• Drops: No extra points will be awarded for drops, but they are allowed if one of the lady’s feet remains in contact with the ground. Otherwise, the move will be defined as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

This section is recommended for those who have danced for six months or more but do not wish to compete with the Advanced dancers. 

• The Intermediate Category is open to amateurs only. 

• Both you and your partner must be amateurs. 

• Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from Advanced and Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section. 

• If the judges think entrants are of an Advanced standard, they will be asked to move up to the Advanced Freestyle category or be disqualified.  

• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 

• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

This section is recommended for those who have danced for six months or more but do not wish to compete with the Advanced dancers. Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

• The Intermediate Category is open to amateurs only. 

• Both you and your partner must be amateurs. 

• Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from Advanced and Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section. 

• If the judges think entrants are of an Advanced standard, they will be asked to move up to the Advanced Freestyle category or be disqualified.  
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

• Dance teachers/professionals may enter this section provided neither partner placed in the Open/Champions category in the past three years. Competitors who have previously placed in the Open/Champions level categories are not allowed to enter this section.
• If the judges think entrants are of an Open standard, they will be asked to move up to the Open Freestyle category or be disqualified.
• Baby aerials (any lift where one of the follow’s feet remains below the leader’s waist/belt line at all times) are permitted.
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

• If the judges think entrants are of an Open standard, they will be asked to move up to the Open Freestyle category or be disqualified.
• Baby aerials (any lift where one of the follow’s feet remains below the leader’s waist/belt line at all times) are permitted.
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

• The Open/Champions Category is open to professionals and Open level dancers.
• Competitors or partnerships from the Intermediate & Advanced level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
• Drops are permitted.
• Each track will allow up to 2 major aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.

About the Open/Champions Split:

• If there are 16 or more Open-level competitors, the Open category will be split into two divisions: Open and Champions.

• If there are 15 or fewer competitors, we will run a single division: Open.

• Champions will consist of the top six couples, based on cumulative points at the time bookings close (see the points system, coming soon).

• Any Open entries received after bookings close will remain in Open, regardless of points.

• Open will be run on a knockout basis: your score in each round determines whether you progress.

• Champions will be judged over three rounds, contributing to your final score as follows:

  • Round 1: 25%

  • Spotlight: 50%

  • All Skate: 25%

£30 per couple.

Music BPMs will be in the range of 85 to 110 bpm.

• The Open/Champions Category is open to professionals and Open level dancers
• Competitors or partnerships from the Intermediate & Advanced level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
• Drops are permitted.
• Each track will allow up to 2 major aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.

About the Open/Champions Split:

• • If there are 16 or more Open-level competitors, the Open category will be split into two divisions: Open and Champions.

  • If there are 15 or fewer competitors, we will run a single division: Open.

  • Champions will consist of the top six couples, based on cumulative points at the time bookings close (see the points system, coming soon).

  • Any Open entries received after bookings close will remain in Open, regardless of points.

  • Open will be run on a knockout basis: your score in each round determines whether you progress.

  • Champions will be judged over three rounds, contributing to your final score as follows:

    • Round 1: 25%

    • Spotlight: 50%

    • All Skate: 25%

•  

£5 per person.

In this section, participants will not know their dance partners until the day of the event. Your partner might be a complete stranger or someone you know. They may synchronise well with you as a dancer, or they may not. 

Only the leaders receive dance numbers. The follows are given a slip, which they must bring with them on the day. Couples are paired randomly on the day, and the leaders dance numbers are recorded on the follows slips as a record of the partnership. It is crucial to arrive at the venue ontime to register and be ready on the dance floor for partnering. 

• The Lucky Dip Category is open to all, amateur and professional 

• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  

• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

Time to show the young ‘uns how it’s done! 

• The Over 50’s Category is open to amateurs only. 

• Both you and your partner must be 50 years old, or older, on the day of the competition. 
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£15 per person.

In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers in this open/pro category.  

Tops Cat’s is based on the Jack & Jill concept where individuals are randomly paired in each round and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the next round, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round.  

• The Top Cat Pro Category is open to Open/Champions level and Professional dancers only. 
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£15 per person.

In this section no-one knows who their partner will be! We aim to discover who are the best individual dancers in the Amateur category. 

Tops Cat’s is based on the Jack & Jill concept where individuals are randomly paired in each round and judged on their dancing. It is the individuals who go through to the next round, again to be randomly paired for the next heat. This means that each entrant may have a different partner for each round. 

• The Top Cat Am Category is open to amateurs only. 

• Dance teachers/professionals, and competitors from the Open level categories, are not allowed to enter this section.
• Aerials (Lifts, Jumps, Baby Aerials and Acrobatic Moves) are not permitted. Attempting these moves will result in penalisation or automatic disqualification.  
• Drops are permitted, provided that the ball of one of the follow’s feet remains in contact with the ground. If this condition is not met, the move will be classified as an aerial and will result in a penalisation or disqualification. 

£30 per couple.

The AM is the lead. You will be judged as a couple.  

• This competition is open to couplings comprising of a Professional or an Open/Champion Level Dancer (Pro) and a non-Open level dancer (Am).  

• Each track will allow up to 2 major Aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major Aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move.

£30 per couple.

The AM is the follow. You will be judged as a couple.  

• This competition is open to couplings comprising of a Professional or an Open/Champion Level Dancer (Pro) and a non-Open level dancer (Am).  

• Each track will allow up to 2 major Aerials or inverted moves, in addition to drops, leans, and baby aerials of any kind. (Please refer to the FAQ subsection for definitions.) Major Aerials or inverted moves should not exceed 7 seconds in duration, meaning the lady’s feet should not be off the floor for more than 7 seconds from the start to the end of the move. 

£20 per couple.

Ceroc X is a fun and innovative competition designed to test your creativity, musicality, and styling – all within a set framework of moves. Competitors will perform 9 pre-determined moves, freestyled to suit one of three pre-selected music tracks, each with a distinct genre. The challenge? Making the same moves look and feel different depending on the music!

It’s the perfect way to showcase your interpretation and connection, without needing a full choreographed routine. Ideal for amateur dancers who want to get competitive without stepping into the professional or open categories.

To help you prepare, all 9 moves are online (see links below), and taught in special Ceroc X classes at Ceroc Escape Weekenders and some class venues this year, giving you plenty of time to practise before the big day.

• Open to Newcomer and Intermediate level dancers ONLY.
• All competitors must use the 9 pre-determined moves in their performance.
• Competitors must tailor their styling and interpretation to suit the feel of their assigned track.
• No additional moves allowed – it’s all about how you style them
• Each round will be assigned one of three pre-selected music tracks, each with a different style or genre – tracks are: Glamorous – Sophie Ellis-Bexter (Pop), Flamenco – Aritz (Latin), and All Around The World – Lou Rawls (Swing-Blues).
• Finalists will perform to a surprise track, not revealed in advance. This tests adaptability and how well you can apply musicality on the spot using the same 9 moves.
• Performances will be judged on musicality, creativity, styling, connection, and interpretation.
• Ceroc X moves are available online below, and will be taught at various Escape Weekenders and some classes around the UK to help you prepare and style the moves.

Dance Through All 9 Moves – Pop. https://youtu.be/tiueB6bFB94
Dance Through All 9 Moves – Latin. https://youtu.be/VCgSywuOaS0
Dance Through All 9 Moves – Swing Blues. https://youtu.be/C6BTe17mNFM
Teach of moves 1,2 & 3 https://youtu.be/Bts7JDzTz9M
Teach of moves 4, 5 & 6 https://youtu.be/TQQ-nzfl7A4
Teach of moves 7, 8 & 9 https://youtu.be/wjSx4_P7ndM

£30 per triple

Fancy a threesome? Grab a couple of friends and get ready to have some fun. This playful competition is limited only by your imagination. The emphasis is on enjoying yourselves and entertaining the crowd. Each team must consist of three people in any combination of male and female dancers.

• The dancing must be continuous but the lead can change between the dancers.
• No member of the trio can completely break hand hold or break contact for more than eight beats.
• Open to amateurs and professionals in any combination.
• Any number of aerials are permitted.

£30 per couple.

In this section competitors choose their own piece of music and perform their own choreography. 

This category is intended as a platform to showcase any genre of dance e.g. Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Tap, Flamenco, Lambada, Ballroom, Latin, Lindy Hop, Tango, Salsa, African, Indian, West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Rock’n’Roll etc. 

• This category is open to all, Amateur and Professional. 

• Any dance style is acceptable in this category. 

• Each team should consist of two people. 

• Each pair must dance to their own music which must be provided to the organisers no later than 31 October 2026, on a file transfer such as USB or WeTransfer to lyndsey@ceroc.com of between 3 – 5 minutes in length. (Please note that we cannot accept CDs, tapes or minidiscs). 

• Any performance that is either under 3 minutes or over 5 minutes will be marked down. 

• Points will be awarded for style, musical interpretation, innovative choreography, quality of dancing, synchronisation of dancers and entertainment value. 

• Judges will also award points for dress and presentation. 

Throughout the day, random members of the audience will be handed a pair of snap wristbands to award to their favourite amateur dancers (that’s anyone not competing at Open level or above).

The lucky couples who receive wristbands will earn a place in the People’s Choice Final, where they’ll battle it out on the dancefloor – and this time, it’s the audience who gets to decide the winners!

Who will capture the crowd’s heart? You decide!

Don’t miss the ultimate showdown as the Great Escapee finalists take to the stage! These are the winners of the heats held at Ceroc Escape weekenders and Daventry Freestyles, and now they’re back to compete for the crown.

The final will have a theme with music to compliment – with the competitors maybe choosing an outfit to match – so expect a visual and musical feast! It’s pure entertainment, full of creativity, comedy, and chaos.

And, as always with Ceroc Escape competitions, the crowd has the power! The trusty decibel reader will return to measure your applause – the loudest cheers will crown the champions!