Lindy Hop and Balboa Contests 2026

We are excited to announce that we will be running 3 dance contests at the 

Gold Coast Lindy Fest in 2026!!

Anyone (all levels, all dancers) can enter and we’d love to have you join us. 

Contests are a great way to give your dancing a little push and meet other dancers from all over.

The finals will be run during the evening events on the Saturday and Sunday nights, Lindy Hop contests finals Saturday night and Balboa Sunday night.

The heats will depend on the number of registration, with the times and location to be 

confirmed closer to the date.

What is a Strictly Lindy Contest?

Lindy Hop Strictly contests are social dance competitions. Dancers register as couples and will dance to music selected by Gold Coast Lindy Fest. The finals will be danced in a jam format to an either DJ or Live Band.  Although choreographed sequences are not disallowed, the judges will be looking for spontaneity, creativity, and connection to the music.

Heats if required will be run after the Saturday Workshops @ the Broadbeach Cultural Centre

Finals  format

Mid-tempo song: ~160 bpm - No airsteps or aerials, drops, props, dips permitted but not required.

Fast Tempo Song - 200 -210 bpm - Anything goes

Finals will be run jam style with an all skate.

Entry is $15 per person 

What is a Mix & Match Contest? 

A Mix & Match competition is a social dance competition where leaders and followers are randomly paired together.

Do I need a partner? 

No, you do not need to bring a partner. Dance partners are randomly assigned during the competition.

How will it be judged?

Competitors will be judged individually during the heats and as a couple during the finals. The judges will be looking for leading and following skills, spontaneity, creativity, teamwork, technique, variety, musicality and connection to the music.

Does lead or follow depend on gender?You can choose whether you want to enter the competition as a leader or follower, regardless of your gender. 

Finals Format

Spotlight, Tempo 160 - 170pm 1 min plus all skate

Entry is $15 per person

What is a Mix & Match Contest? 

A Mix & Match competition is a social dance competition where leaders and followers enter individually then are randomly paired together (usually with a giant novelty dice for fun!).

Do I need a partner? 

No, you do not need to bring or sign up with a partner. Dance partners are randomly assigned during the competition.

How will it be judged?

Competitors will be judged individually during the heats and in the finals (read this again!).

The judges will be looking for leading and following skills, spontaneity, creativity, teamwork, technique, variety, musicality and connection to the music.

Does lead or follow depend on gender?

No, you can choose whether you want to enter the competition as a leader or follower, regardless of your gender. 

Heats (if required): TBC - run after the Saturday Workshops.

Finals Format:

More details to come.

tempo between 220 - 230pm

Entry is $15 per person