Albany ballroom dancers James Watmore and Helen Gee win big at the Australian Dancesport Championship

Albany dancers James Watmore and Helen Gee have wowed the judges and dazzled onlookers at the Australian Dance Sport Championship. The competition, which attracts international attention, was held in Melbourne from December 9-11. There were more than 900 competitors taking part in the three-day event this year. Ms Gee and Mr Watmore won the Masters 4 Open and Masters 3 B grade New Vogue categories. Mr Watmore said competitors come from all around the world to take part in the championships. Especially NSW and Victoria which are the two powerhouse states in ballroom dancing as well as dancers from New Zealand, Europe and Asia. “Helen and I started competing in ballroom dancing in our fifties,” Mr Gee said “We began competing mainly in and around Perth and the occasional competition outside WA. “Our focus has changed over the last few years and now most of the time we compete interstate. “We are already gearing up for our first competition in March 2023 which will be the Adelaide Spectacular SA.” Ms Gee said it was absolutely amazing to take out the wins. “I was gobsmacked and I think Jim was pretty amazed too, it was really exciting,” she said. “I was dancing across the floor to go and get our trophy” Ms Gee and Mrs Watmore used to dance at the Albany ballroom dance studio but since that’s closed they hire halls around town to practice. “We don’t belong to a dance club down here,” Ms Gee said. “There are other dance venues but nowhere that supports competition dancing.” Mr Watmore thanked the dance teachers who coached the pair. “We would not be the dancers we are today if it wasn’t for our wonderful and extremely knowledgeable coaches Darryl Davenport in Perth and Joy Hearn here in Albany,” he said. “Both Darryl and Joy are former ballroom dance champions and Helen and I couldn’t wish for two better teachers.”