Competition Format

• Couples will dance to music chosen by the organisers. This could include all types of chill out music from 80bpm – 110bpm approx.

• The competition will consist of multiple heats, depending on the number of competitors.

• Each heat will consist of two, 2-minute tracks.

• All judging will be by a points system, and judges’ decisions are final.

 
Dance Rules

• The dance must mostly be recognisable as Ceroc i.e. as taught during Ceroc classes or workshops. However, the organisers recognise that your freestyle will incorporate a wealth of other dance styles as dictated by the music.

• The lead and follow aspect of the dance must be clearly demonstrated.

• Partners must not release hand hold or break contact for more than 8 beats.

• Qualifying dancers will be asked back to the next round.

 
Age Restrictions

• There are no age restrictions at this event, except in:
  – Over 50’s (specified in category rules as aged 50 or over)
  – Top Cats & Lucky Dip (minimum age is 16)
  – Anyone under the age of 18 will need to be supervised by a parent or guardian.

 
Competitor Responsibilities

• Understanding Rules: Competitors are responsible for reading and comprehending both the general competition rules and the specific rules for their category. Refer to the Judging Criteria section which includes definition of various moves including airsteps and definition of Professional and Amateur dancers.

• Category Eligibility: Competitors must be aware of which categories they are eligible to enter. If you have won a trophy at a previous Ceroc champs, you can continue to compete at that level until that same competition recurs (this is known as a ‘Competition Year’). Once this competition recurs you must move up a level. For instance, if you have won a trophy in the intermediate category at Chill Out Champs 2025, you must compete at advanced level when you compete at the Chill Out Champs 2026. Refer to the Self Seeding information for examples of which category is right for you.

• Number Display: Competitors will be issued with a dance number on the day of the event which must be clearly displayed and securely fixed to their person during the competition categories.
  Competitors are advised to strengthen the fixing points on their dance numbers to avoid tearing, especially if dancing multiple categories.

• Number Visibility: At the end of each song, competitors must rotate to ensure judges can easily see their number.
  If the competitors dance number drops off or is illegible during the competition heat, then the competitor may not be judged.

• Punctuality: Competitors must be ready to start their heat on time. If not there, their name will be called a maximum of 3 times, after which there will be an instant disqualification.

• Floorcraft: Competitors must demonstrate good floorcraft, which involves using the dance floor space effectively without disrupting other dancers.

• Warmup: Competitors are encouraged to warm up sufficiently prior to their heat.

 
Conduct

• Participants must maintain good sportsmanship.

• Any form of misconduct or disrespect towards judges, organisers, or other competitors will result in disqualification.

• Participants must adhere to the venue’s rules and regulations.

 
Amendments

• Ceroc reserves the right to change the program and competition rules if necessary, without consultation.

 Recording and Promotion

• The event will be recorded by film, video, and photograph. These materials may be used for Ceroc promotional purposes without any obligation.

 
Disclaimer

• The organisers accept no responsibility for loss or injury to persons or possessions in relation to this event.

• Participants compete at their own risk.

• There will be no refund for competitors who withdraw or are unable to compete in a category either before or during the event.

 
Dance Professional Definition:
• Anyone who has taught a partner dance more than 6 times in the previous 6 months for payment.
• Anyone who is intending to teach a partner dance more than 6 times in the next 6 months for payment.
• Any Open level category participant in this Champs.
• Any Open Category competition medalist (bronze, silver or gold) in any other Ceroc competition in the three years prior to this competition date.

Definition of an Aerial:
• An Aerial p is defined by both of the lady’s feet travelling above the man’s waist level.
• Baby aerials are not considered to be full Aerials, providing at least one of the lady’s feet is below the man’s waist level. Any number of baby aerials are permitted in categories that allow aerials. The following standard rules apply to all competition categories.
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Seeding and Self Seeding
Which Freestyle Competition Standard (Newcomer, Intermediate, Advanced, Open/Champions) Category Should You Compete In? Please read below.
Moving between competition standards
Remember, when you first join a Ceroc competition, you can ‘self-seed’. This means selecting your own entry level that you deem appropriate for your ability.
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HOWEVER, once you have selected your level, you have made a long-standing decision!
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MOVING UP – you can move up the competition standards whenever you want. The only time you are obliged to move up to the next standard is one year after placing first.
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MOVING DOWN – moving down a competition standard is very rarely permitted, unless you have competed at your selected standard for 3 years or more, and have never placed. You may then move down one standard.
Choose your standard carefully and fairly, as it is a decision that will affect your personal participation in all future Champs events.
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If you feel the above criteria need reconsideration for your personal circumstance, you must submit a written request, detailing your reasons, to any Ceroc Champs organiser. The entire Committee will review your request and respond within 30 days. The Committee’s decision is final. Email initially ceroceventsltd@gmail.com
Competition Year vs Calendar Year
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If you place 1st at any competition standard, you are then permitted to continue competing at that same standard for a full Competition Year. This means you can continue to try and win 1st at all competitions across the country, until the competition at which you gained your first gold medal recurs. As soon as this event recurs, you have to move up a standard (irrespective of your success at any of the intermediary competitions).
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For example: If you win Intermediate 1st Place at the Welsh Champs 2024, you do not need to move up to Advanced until Welsh Champs 2025.
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If you wish to compete at a different level in your non primary role (e.g. as a follow in Open and as a lead in Advanced) please email exeter@ceroc.com
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Should I Compete in…
NEWCOMERS?
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You can compete in the Newcomers category if any of the following statements are true:

• You have never participated in a major partner dance competition. (Ref: Definitions on the Judging Criteria page)

• You have competed at the Newcomer level before, but only ever within the last Competition Year.

• You are an Intermediate-level dancer and you are partnering with a Newcomer.

To be the intermediate partner in the Newcomers category you must not have:

• Placed 1st at the Intermediate level in any previous partner dance competition more than a year ago.

• Competed at the Advanced or Open level.

Examples:
Daisy has been dancing for 4 months and has never competed. Her friend John has competed in Intermediate-level Ceroc competitions but has never won. They are eligible to compete in the Newcomers category together.
Husband and wife, Mark and Sue, competed in the Newcomers category at the Northern Champs and placed 1st. They have also registered to compete in the Newcomers category at the Ceroc South West Champs, Welsh Champs, and Scottish Champs. They can compete as Newcomers but will need to move up to Intermediates at the next Northern Champs and so on.
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INTERMEDIATE?
You can compete in Intermediate if any of the following statements are true:

• You have never participated in a partner dance competition.

• You have competed at the Newcomer level in a partner dance competition.

• You are an Intermediate-level dancer who has never placed 1st in an Intermediate-level competition more than a year ago.

• You placed 1st in an Intermediate-level competition, but it was within the last 12 months.

• You have competed in Advanced standard for over 3 years and have never placed i.e. you choose to drop down a level.

You cannot compete in Intermediate if any of the following statements are true:

• You are a dance professional. (Ref: Definitions on the Judging Criteria page))

• You are currently competing in the Advanced level for less than 3 years or are an Open competitor in any partner dance competition.

• You have competed at Open level in the last 3 years.

• You have placed at the Advanced level within the last 3 years.

Examples:
Cara and Colin have been dancing for 2 years and last year won the Newcomers at the Ceroc Scottish Champs. They have been continuing to compete in Newcomer at other Ceroc competitions. Now Scottish Champs is back round in the dance calendar, they have to compete in Intermediate.
Phil and Lil have been dancing in the Advanced category for over 6 years, and have never been placed. They are permitted to move into Intermediates.
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ADVANCED?
You can compete in Advanced if any of the following statements are true:

• You are an Advanced-level dancer who have not placed 1st in an Advanced-level partner dance competition.

• You placed 1st in an Advanced-level partner dance competition within the last 12 months.

• You have competed in the Open category for over 3 years and have never placed.

You cannot compete in Advanced if any of the following statements are true:

• You are a dance professional who placed in the Open/Champions category within the last 3 years.

• You are competing in the Newcomer or Intermediate categories. 

• You placed 1st in Advanced more than 1 Competition Year ago, you must compete in Open.

Examples
Keely has only ever competed at Intermediate level and her new dance partner Shane has been competing in Advanced for the last 2 years. If Keely wants to dance with Shane then she will need to move up into Advanced, and will not be able to return to Intermediates for a minimum of 3 years.
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OPEN?
You can compete in Open if any of the following statements are true:

• You are an Open level competitor.

• You have placed 1st in the Advanced category.

You cannot compete in Open if any of the following statements are true:

• You are competing in Newcomer, Intermediate or Advanced categories in your primary role.

Examples:
Idris and Joanna self-seeded themselves into Open two years ago, but have not won a medal despite trying. They need to remain competing at Open level for at least another year, and if they cannot get placed in that time will have the option of moving to the Advanced category if they so wish.
Important note:
In a partnership where the two of you are at different levels, you must compete at the higher-level category or find another partner in the same level category.
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