The UK Open Championships take place over three days in the middle of January, in Bournemouth, and is open to the world. Indeed the world always comes to Bournemouth – entries for this event are significant, and mainly from overseas competitors, with only the top few British couples taking part. Whether this is because it takes place on workdays, or is too expensive, or is too far to travel, I couldn’t say, but they are missing out on one of the few chances to dance against the best dancers in the world. The format is the same every year, with Rising Star events for Amateurs and Professionals on the Tuesday, in both Ballroom and Latin, and then the main championship events on the Wednesday and Thursday. Wednesday sees the Amateur Latin and Professional Ballroom championships, and Thursday hosts the Amateur Ballroom and Professional Latin events. There are no supporting events on any day.

On each day the early rounds of each competition are danced during the day, and the quarters, semis and finals are danced in the evening (and yes, as a spectator you have to pay again to get into the evening sessions! Competitors get access to both sessions with their entry fee). There are separate judging panels for each competition (a bit like the international) which is better for the competitors in my view. The event is held in the Bournemouth International Centre, in the which is a fantastic arena for dancing events and allows a huge audience with everyone getting a good view of the floor, which is also very large. In the daytime sessions, the music is recorded, but in the evenings is provided by Ross Mitchell and singers, so the dancers get to dance to (the audience to listen to) live music, which in my mind always makes for a better atmosphere.

As UK comps go this is one of the top 4 events, ranking alongside the British Open, the International and the British Nationals, and I would recommend anyone to attend as either a competitor or a spectator.

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