General Rules & Regulatons

• All persons attending this event, whether as a spectator, competitor, official, studio employee, or guest of the organizers, shall be bound by the NDCA rules, and by participating in this event, automatically become obligated to adhere to them

• California Open DanceSport Championships and participating studios accept no responsibility for any loss or theft of articles left in changing rooms, ballroom, or hotel rooms, or for any loss or injury sustained by persons attending this event, whether as a spectator, competitor, official, studio employee, or guest of the organizers. Everyone does so at his or her own risk.

• Private video taping is not allowed at any time during the California Open DanceSport Championships without express permission from the organizer. Violators may be asked to leave the ballroom or have their cameras confiscated until after the competition. Professional videographers and photographers will be on hand to record your dancing. DVDs will be made available for purchase.

• California Open DanceSport Championships will not be held liable for any personal charges made at the hotel. All participants must pay for their own personal charges, room service, etc.

• The Chairman of Judges shall be the sole arbiter on decisions concerning ties, or any problem in scoring. The decision of the Chairman of Judges shall be final. No judge shall be harassed or questioned by the competitors about the reasons for the markings.

• The Organizer has the right to make final decisions on the acceptance of entries.

• Any judge, competitor, or official who acts in an unsportsmanlike manner, or in any manner that reflects poorly on the sport/art of dancing, is subject to disciplinary action by the NDCA.

• THERE WILL BE NO SMOKING ALLOWED IN THE BALLROOM OR CHANGING ROOMS.

Medalist Material

• Medalist material should be based on any NDCA recognized syllabus. Out-of-category material executed in the closed divisions will be penalized through a penalty judge. The competition will be invigilated and competitors committing infractions shall be warned or risk disqualification.

Age Divisions

• See entry forms for breakdown. For further exposure, Pro/Am and Student/Student competitors may enter their own age division and/or one age division younger. The age of the Amateur or Student is the only consideration. Pre-Teen, Junior & Youth may dance up one age classification adhering the NDCA rules.

Dance Level Categories

• See entry forms for breakdown. Pro/Am and Amateur competitors may enter up to three consecutive levels in each style (eg: Intermediate Bronze, Full Bronze and Beginning Silver) plus two open levels in the single dances . Students entering the Newcomer level should have taken less than 50 private lessons.

• Open divisions are not material-restricted, and can be used for showcase material and for additional entries for further exposure. An instructor may submit no more than one entry per dance/level/age category.

• In any category with three entries or less, the organizers reserve the right to eliminate the age and sex divisions, and merge competitors into one category.

Solo Exhibitions

• Solo Exhibitions should not exceed three minutes due to time constraints. Music must be on individually labeled CDs. Solo exhibition critique/score sheets will be available to studio personnel on Sunday at the registration desk.

Scholarships

• Scholarships are unisex competitions for Pro/Am adults. To qualify for scholarship events, a student must enter in the same number of single dances per scholarship event entered, in the same style.

• Students may not enter both Bronze and Silver levels in the same style. Students may enter both the Silver and Open scholarships in the same style.

• Students must enter the scholarship level of the highest single dance entry level in a style. For example: A student enters single dance entries in Full Bronze and Pre-Silver, they are eligible for the Silver Scholarship NOT the Bronze Scholarship.

• DCT NewcomerScholarships: “Dancers Cup Tour Newcomers Scholarships” are open to students who have never competed before. Students are welcome to enter and compete in the DCT Newcomer Scholarships for ONE YEAR after their first competition.

On Deck

• Competitors are requested to report to a designated area and check in at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled heat. Competitors who do not take the floor when called by the Master of Ceremonies will face disqualification for that event.