Competitive Para DanceSport
A popular sport practiced in many countries, Para Dancesport incorporates the grace, elegance, physical stamina and artistry of competitive partner dance. Dance genres focus on ballroom and Latin dance, with additional opportunities for freestyle show dances that include other dance genres.
Para DanceSport is an International Paralympic Committee Championships Sport, and is organized by the World Para DanceSport Technical Committee. Although Para DanceSport is popular in many countries, Canada has yet to realize the full potential of this activity. Our objective is to help spread Para DanceSport across Ontario and Canada, at a level of popularity similar to that of other regions, such as Europe.
Athletes can compete as:
Single
One wheelchair dancer
Duo Couple
Two wheelchair dancers
Combi
One wheelchair dancer and one standing partner
Group
Wheelchair dancers only or with standing partners
Formation
Four to eight couples
Organizing and Developing Para DanceSport in Canada
What do a movement therapist, physiotherapist, physiatrist, professional choreographer, championship level ballroom and Latin dance instructor, sports classifier, and medical researcher have in common? They’re all part of Wheel Dance’s growing team of professionals who are paving the way for Para DanceSport in Canada. Wheel Dance acts as the lead organizing body for Para DanceSport in Canada, by initiating, promoting, and stimulating the national growth of the sport. Wheel Dance is proud to be training dancers, instructors, volunteers, classifiers, adjudicators and coaches, as well as organizing competitions and workshops.
Wheel Dance is an Associate Member of Canada DanceSport, the Canadian Member of the World DanceSport Federation, who in turn is the official DanceSport representative of the International Olympic Committee. Wheel Dance is enabling competitive activity and recognition of the sport by the Canadian Paralympic Committee, with the goal of building a Canadian presence for Para DanceSport internationally. Working together with our friends and affiliates across Canada, we are passionate about creating a Canadian team to represent Canada at international Paralympic DanceSport competitions.
