Your first WSDC event: What to expect

Workshops with top international trainers, social dancing until the early hours, thrilling competitions, and an unforgettable weekend with like-minded people – that's what a WSDC event is all about. From the USA to Europe and Australia, there are over 200 of these events worldwide. In Germany alone, you can expect more than 10 of these weekends!

Are you still considering attending your first WSDC event, or perhaps you're already a proud pass holder? In this blog post, we'll take you into the fascinating world of WSDC events.

Wait a minute – “passport”?

A pass is simply your entry ticket to the event, similar to a ticket for other festivals. Most organizers offer you various options:

• The Fullpass: Have you always wanted to learn from the best coaches in the scene? Then the Fullpass is perfect for you. It gives you full access to the workshops, entitles you to participate in the competitions, and lets you spend the evenings at the social events.

• The Party Pass (sometimes also called Event or Competitor Pass): Dancing until breakfast is right up your alley, but you'd rather skip the daytime workshops? With the Party Pass, you have access to all parties and competitions, but the daytime workshops are not included.

And what does a typical weekend look like?

Most WSDC events start on Thursday with a pre-party. It's usually a bit less crowded than on the main days – the perfect, relaxed start to make initial contacts without being overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle.

• Friday: The first workshops start during the day. In the evening, many events feature the so-called Strictly Competitions (competitions where you register with a fixed partner). A highlight is often the subsequent Pro Show, where the instructors demonstrate their skills. Afterwards, everyone dances the night away at the social area until their feet are sore.

• Saturday: The day of the popular Jack & Jills! (You can find out exactly how this spontaneous tournament format works in the next blog post.) Whether you're on the mat yourself or cheering it on as a spectator, the atmosphere is absolutely unique! Following the finals, the awards ceremony takes place. The top three in each division are celebrated and often receive trophies, vouchers, or prize money. After the traditional group photo, the biggest party of the weekend begins.

• Sunday: The focus is once again on the workshops. If you stay until Monday, you can put your newly acquired knowledge into practice directly at the Sunday social event and enjoy a relaxing end to the weekend.

During the day: Learning from the best

The workshops are sorted by level – so there's always a group that's just right for you. Many events even have special formats for absolute beginners; for example, the German Open offers a "Bootcamp for Beginners" to get you ready for the party.

Partners rotate through the classes, so you'll dance with many different people. It might sound unusual at first, but it's the fastest way to improve – everyone feels different, and that's exactly how you learn the quickest. Many events have an audition where you have the chance to be placed in a higher level.

At night: This is where the magic happens.

The heart of every event isn't the stage – it's the social dancing area. And the beauty of West Coast Swing is that anyone can ask anyone else to dance. No matter their skill level, no matter who they are. You walk up, make eye contact, smile, "Do you want to dance?" – that's it.

And yes: feel free to dance with people who are better than you. Most of them will be happy about it. Dancing with experienced dancers is like a free workshop in the middle of the night – you learn without even realizing it.

So that your weekend goes smoothly

A little preparation, and you're ready to go:

• Dance shoes with suede soles – they glide smoothly without sticking. Rubber soles are a no-go (too sticky, bad for the knees). Tip: Pack a spare pair.

• Multiple shirts – you're sweating, and quite a lot. A fresh shirt between the workshop and the party is a must.

• Deodorant, mints, water bottle – in partner dancing, you dance close together. Staying fresh is a gift to everyone. 💧

• Plan ahead and bring snacks – no restaurants are open at night.

• Don't forget your party outfit – some nights have themes (for example, the Bavarian Open has an Oktoberfest night and a red carpet night).

The unwritten rules (very easy)

Nobody expects you to know everything. Just remember these few things, and you'll be welcome everywhere:

• Say "thank you" after each dance and accompany the person back to the dance floor.

• A “no thank you” is perfectly okay – and never take a no personally.

• Don't teach on the social area without asking . Just dance together and have fun.

• Be mindful of each other on the dance floor – dance smaller when the floor is full, and apologize briefly if you bump into someone.

That's it. The rest will take care of itself.

💡 Our tip: It's okay to take breaks! A whole weekend of dancing is extremely demanding, both mentally and physically, so sleep deprivation is practically inevitable. It's not a "flex" to say after an event that you only slept eight hours in four days. Take the breaks you need to truly enjoy the event!

It's worth it!

A WSDC event is a weekend where you dance, learn, meet people and simply experience what makes this dance so special.

In Germany, there's an event almost every month. Check out [our overview →] , pick one, and join us. See you there! 💃🕺