A trip to a tango session might not be everyone’s idea of a fabulous sporting experience, but when the chance arose Vision jumped at the opportunity to don their dance shoes and grace the dance floor.
Sally Dolton: The only experience I have of dancing was a few years of ballet as a child and jumping wildly around Ziggy’s. But while that sort of dancing is more concerned with keeping a VK in my hand, tango was a whole new experience, and one that Strictly Come Dancing did not adequately prepare me for. We were all introduced to the large dance group by club president, Katie Haslingdon and Andrew Grantham. I soon realised this was a warm, friendly club who were really patient in teaching us the moves.
Dave Washington: I was quite confident I’d make even the likes of John Seargent and Ann Widdecombe look talented. Thankfully though I was not alone and I think between the four of us we could count our previous attempts at ballroom dancing on one hand, yet we didn’t disgrace ourselves as we slowly got to grips with what to us was a challenging routine.
Georgina Strapp: My visions of fake tan and sequins were disappointed. To begin with, men and women went to different ends of the hall (not too primary school disco-like, don’t worry) and we mirrored each other as we learnt the steps. Starting in a practice hold, Jack Bradshaw, my very lovely partner, and I were staring at our feet as we tried to get the right steps. However even with our mutual lack of coordination and with plenty of help, we began to feel like this may look like a dance.
Jack Bradshaw: It became much more complicated and I began to lose confidence. I was aware of eyes burning into the my back of my head as other dancers were probably thinking something along the lines of “Wowzers, he’s rubbish” or “I feel sorry for his partner”. I was told to be more masculine, to control Georgie more and take the initiative. However, this meant I almost threw her on the floor at one stage, much to everyone’s embarrassment. The tricky part was the swivel towards the end which did not sit well with my rather wooden movement.
SD: Learning the steps in the full tango hold would be extremely difficult so we started in the practice hold. We stood slightly apart with my hands on his shoulders (it was a reach) and his hands under mine. The proper hold helped aid the turns by getting close together. The last part of the dance for girls included a swivel, where we took a step forward and turned on one foot to come back to the starting position.
DW: We thought it wasn’t so hard until then the more complex steps and tango tunes were added. All of a sudden the challenge of whisking Dolly around in circles, and remembering all of the steps became much more challenging. One particular sequence of steps gave us particular difficulties, until one of the more experienced dancers stepped in and demonstrated the true way of dancing the tango. After numerous attempts we finally managed to crack it.
GS: But by the time I started to really twig the whole idea of dancing in your own space – no grinding in the Tango apparently – we were able to feel a bit more coordinated. Having managed to trip Jack up again though, one of the teachers decided to step in before I caused any serious injury.
JB: However, after a few more practices, we did it. We managed to complete the entire dance from start to finish. Our collective roar of celebration rang around LN/028 as the scale of our achievement struggled to sink in. My dancing career was launched.
SD: Dancing with the professional made me feel almost weightless. And lads, for anyone that says ballroom dancing is camp or for girls, it is very sexy to have a man whirl you around the dance floor so expertly.
GS: Having done a very excited high-five after Jack and I managed the whole thing with no falling over I feel we may have to go again and maybe be a bit more graceful with it next time. Even if it is just to justify buying myself a nice pair of glittery heels.
DW: Dancing is something I could never have imagined doing, but it turned into a fantastic experience. Everyone at the session was extremely helpful, patient and encouraging, allowing us to develop our somewhat limited skills, and feel a sense of achievement and satisfaction. Everyone should have a go.