Bachata Jack & Jill
Australia’s National and most prestigious Bachata Jack & Jill Competition.
AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL
BACHATA JACK & JILL COMPETITION 2026
Our Australian National Bachata Jack & Jill competition allows individuals to enter without a partner and demonstrate their skills in spontaneous social dancing with a variety of random partners. Leaders and followers are randomly paired and there will be several partner changes during the preliminary rounds.
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- Competitors are ranked individually in the preliminary heats
- The top 4 or 8 highest ranked will be called back for semi-finals battle. The top 2 will do a Spotlight dance for the finals. Semi-finals and finals competitors will be ranked as a couple.
- All Bachata songs used are listed for you on our Spotify channel.
2024 MUSIC PLAYLISTS
✍️ REGISTRATION
Secure your spot
All competitors are expected to:
- Have Full Pass to Bailando Sensual Festival 2026
- Pay the registration fee of $25.00 via the link below
- Collect Comp number by 12pm on Saturday 7th Feb 2026
- Be ready to compete at 12.45pm on Saturday 7th 2026
♾️ DIVISIONS
Pick your division
The Bachata J&J Competition is divided into the following 4 divisions:
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- Novices: Dancers who have been dancing for less than 12mths and have never competed.
- Amateurs: Dancers who have competed or have been dancing for more than 12mths.
- Rising Stars: Dancers who have been competing for more than 3yrs.
- Stars: Professional competitors (Invitation only).
✔️ RULES AND REQUIREMENTS
All competitors:
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- Must hold a Full pass to Bailando Sensual Festival.
- Pay the registration fee of $25.00
- Check-in prior to the competition at the event registration desk.
- Will have a competition allocated number assigned to them at the time of registration. It must be worn throughout the competition.
- Must agree to conduct themselves in a sportsperson like manner, otherwise may at anytime be disqualified from the competition by the Head Judge.
- Have to be ready to compete 15 minutes prior to the commencement.
- Can compete if their divisions has a minimum of Four (4) couples to be considered a valid contest.
- May only enter 1 division.
- You must enter either as a Leader (male) or as a Follower (female).
- Agree to sign a waiver and are responsible for reading the rules and regulations for the competition.
- Are responsible for entering the correct division and can be disqualified if caught not abiding by the rules.
✔️ COMPETITION FORMAT
In the Preliminaries, Competitors will be randomly partnered for 3 rounds of 1min. Depending on the number of entries groups of 4 – 10 couples will dance together and be ranked. Top 4 or 8 leaders and followers will dance in the Semi-finals. Top 2 leaders and followers will dance in the finals.
- Round 1: 100% fundamentals. You must demonstrate good Frame, Connection and Bachata Rhythm.
- Round 2 and 3: Go for it with Crowd pleasing Moves and Footwork
In the Semi-Finals, 4 or 8 Competitors will compete in a Battle dance.
- They will be randomly coupled.
- 2 couples will dance together for 2min.
- They will be judged as a couple.
- 1 couple will be eliminated.
In the Finals, 2 Competitors will compete in a spotlight dance.
- They will be randomly coupled.
- They will dance on their own for 2min.
- They will be judged as a couple.
✔️ JUDGING CRITERIA
All competitors will be judged individually. Male and Female judges will be randomly allocated to judge either the leaders or followers.
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- Timing & Musicality
– Hitting the 1beat and maintaining it and switching if the music changes.
– Moving with the mood or sections of the music plus hitting accents or breaks. - Technique & Connection
– Frame, Balance & Weight Shifting.
– Bachata Movement – Contra Movement in Hips, Knees and Chest.
– Leading or Following Connection. - Attire & Showmanship
– Fashionable Urban or Stylish Clothes.
– Groomed to Compete (Hairstyles, Make Up).
– Crowd pleasing movements, personality and energy.
- Timing & Musicality
✔️ PRIZES FOR 2026
There are significant prizes awarded to the winners:
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- 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Novices Division: Trophies.
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place Amateurs division: Trophies.
- 1st, 2nd & 3rd Placee Rising Stars division: Trophies.
- 1st Place Stars division: 2 x Crowned Champions.
❌ DISQUALIFICATIONS
Competitors will be disqualified for the following infringements:
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- Lifts – One foot must remain on the ground at all times.
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Dancing dangerously or completely off key.
- Inappropriate language or behaviour.
☝️ COMPLAINTS OR INFRINGMENTS
In the event we need to deal with a situation. The following procedures will take place:
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- Speak calmly and clearly to the competition organisers Tony Lara or Mitch Bilic at a convenient moment during the competition, not whilst the competitors are in the middle of competing.
- If the problem is not resolved and you need to take matters further, organise a meeting with the competition organisers Tony Lara or Mitch Bilic as soon as possible.
- Please refrain from posting unnecessary debates on social media without first giving the organisers a chance to rectify the situation.
Get in Touch
Should you have any inquiries regarding the event, accommodations at the hotel, or wish to provide feedback, kindly utilize the Contact form provided. Rest assured, we will promptly address your concerns.
We kindly request that you refrain from reaching out to Tony or Mitch via alternative messaging platforms concerning the event. Our responses will be exclusively through email correspondence.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation and understanding.
: 0433 456 110
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