1. Responsibilities as a Competitor

You may register for competitions in advance using our online registration system, or at the event before the contest registration cutoff times listed on the schedule. If you registered in advance, you should plan to pick up your Bib Number(s) at event registration a minimum of one (1) hour prior to the start of your first competition. Be sure to check for any last-minute changes to the schedule.

Competitors are responsible for reviewing these rules prior to competing and for complying with them, whether or not they have been read. If you have any questions, please contact us at Info@ThreeRiversSwing.com in advance of the event.

You must be in the Main Ballroom at least fifteen (15) minutes before your competition. If you are not properly lined up before the competition starts, you may not be permitted to compete. In rare circumstances, competition officials may provide alternate instructions.

You must wear your bib number for all competition rounds, including finals, unless otherwise instructed by competition officials. If you are not wearing a bib number, you will not be permitted to dance.

If you are disqualified, miss the competition, or withdraw/scratch, you will forfeit your entry fee.

If you have questions or concerns regarding competitions, please use appropriate channels, such as speaking with Event Registration, the Contest Coordinator, or the Chief Judge.

Scores will be posted on the SwingDancer app, and a link will be provided on the website following the final contest of the weekend.

1.1 Sportsmanship & Conduct

Competitors must demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times. This includes treating partners, other competitors, judges, spectators, event staff, volunteers, and the event itself with respect. Competitors are prohibited from confronting, pressuring, challenging, arguing with, harassing, or verbally abusing other competitors, judges, or competition officials.

Behavior deemed inappropriate or disrespectful by Event Management and/or the Chief Judge may result in disqualification, expulsion from the event, and/or ineligibility to participate in future Three Rivers Swing events. Any entry fees, passes, or other associated costs will not be refunded.

2. Eligibility & General Requirements

Competitors must have a full weekend pass to compete. All required entry fees must be paid prior to the contest registration cutoff listed on the schedule, and all competitors must sign the liability waiver.

2.1 Age Requirement

Competitors must be at least sixteen (16) years of age by the start of the event to compete in all Three Rivers Swing contests.

Competitors under the age of eighteen (18) must have a parent or legal guardian sign the liability waiver in person at Event Registration.

3. Registration & Entry Policies

The Organizers reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to combine, convert to an Invitational or exhibition format, or cancel any division due to insufficient entries. If a division is canceled, the Organizers will attempt to notify all competitors prior to the scheduled start time, and applicable competition entry fees will be refunded.

Multiple registrations are allowed. Competitors may enter any competition for which they meet the entry requirements.

4. Eligibility Verification & Petitions

Eligibility – Verification Process

Three Rivers Swing will verify competitor eligibility by reviewing the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) Points Registry and other sources as applicable.

If you believe another competitor is entered in an incorrect division or is otherwise ineligible, please notify the Contest Coordinator or Chief Judge privately and as soon as possible.

If we determine prior to the start of your competition that you registered for the wrong division or are not eligible, we will reassign you to the appropriate division (if possible) or allow you to withdraw; if you withdraw under these circumstances, the applicable competition entry fee will be refunded.

If we do not discover until after you have competed that you misrepresented your status and were not eligible, you will be disqualified and forfeit any awards, titles, placements, entry fees, and/or any costs associated with participation.

If Three Rivers Swing made an error and assigned you incorrectly, no penalty will be applied by Three Rivers Swing. Three Rivers Swing will make commercially reasonable efforts to address the situation; however, eligibility for and awarding of World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) points is governed by WSDC rules and is outside of Three Rivers Swing’s control. If the error is discovered after the correct division has started, a refund of the applicable competition entry fee may be the only remedy available.

Three Rivers Swing reserves the right to request proof of age, identity, or eligibility at any time.

4.1 Petitions

Three Rivers Swing encourages competitors to compete with their peers. If you are uncertain which competition or division is appropriate, please contact the event at Info@ThreeRiversSwing.com prior to the start of the event or, if necessary, visit on-site event registration upon arrival.

All petitions are governed by the current World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) rules, including submission requirements, timing, eligibility, and approval authority. Some petitions must be submitted a minimum number of days prior to the start of the event. Three Rivers Swing does not override or modify WSDC petition policies, and competitors are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable WSDC requirements.

5. Judging Criteria

Competitors will be judged on the following:

Timing – How your body connects to the music, including beat accuracy and syncopation.
Technique – Execution, balance, control, foot placement, lines, spins, turns, and arm usage.
Teamwork – Connection, lead/follow, action/reaction, safety, respect, and adaptability.
Content / Choreography – Variety, contrast, phrasing, musical connection, and tasteful execution.
Showmanship / Presentation – Engagement, attire, chemistry, sportsmanship, and performance quality.
Musical Interpretation – Flow, tempo, mood, rhythm variation, and nuance.

6. Dress Code

All clothing must be in good taste and suitable for dancing. Determinations regarding attire are made at the discretion of the Chief Judge and/or Event Management. Shoes are required in all competitions.

6.1 Performance Content & Conduct

Performances must remain appropriate for an audience of diverse ages and backgrounds. Actions deemed inappropriate, including but not limited to inappropriate touching or simulated sexual behavior, are not permitted, as determined by the Chief Judge.

Violations may result in a warning, a reduction in placement, disqualification, and/or removal from the event, at the discretion of the Chief Judge and/or Event Management. Any entry fees, passes, or other costs associated with participation will not be refunded.

7. Division-Specific Rules

7.1 WSDC Jack & Jill Divisions

WSDC Skill-Level Jack & Jill Divisions: Newcomer, Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, All-Star, and Champion.

Jack & Jill competitions are designed to highlight social dance skills and adaptability. Competitors must compete in the level for which they qualify based on their accumulated WSDC points. Competitors are responsible for registering in the correct role and should use the WSDC rules to verify eligibility.

Jack & Jill Competition Format: Competitors enter individually and are randomly assigned partners. Throughout preliminary and, when applicable, semi-final rounds, leaders and followers rotate partners multiple times and dance in a heated format. In prelims, competitors are evaluated individually, with the highest-scoring dancers advancing to the next round. In finals, competitors are again randomly paired but this time they are judged as a couple; no partner rotation will occur.

WSDC Age-based Jack & Jill Divisions: Sophisticated and Masters

These age-based J&J divisions follow the Jack & Jill format described above. Eligibility is based on age rather than WSDC skill level or points. All skill levels are welcome.

• Sophisticated: 35 years of age or older by the close of the event; open to all levels.
• Masters: 50 years of age or older by the close of the event; open to all levels.

The Following Apply to All WSDC Jack & Jills:

• Each division must have at least five (5) leaders and five (5) followers.
• Depending on the number of entries, competitions may proceed directly to finals or may include preliminary and semi-final rounds.
• All support moves must be safe and socially appropriate.
• Music is selected by the DJ and will vary in tempo and style, appropriate to the division entered.

All competition-specific determinations and enforcement decisions for this division are made by the Chief Judge and may result in a reduction in placement or disqualification.

7.2 Tournament

The Tournament is open to competitors of all skill levels. Competitors may enter in the role of their choice.

Tournament Competition Format: Competitors enter individually and are randomly paired in preliminary rounds. Preliminary rounds are judged as a couple, with no partner rotation. Sixteen (16) couples advance to the final round, where finalists are randomly paired again and compete in a head-to-head, tournament-style format.

This division is designed to be high-energy and spectator-friendly, creating an exciting competitive experience for both dancers and the audience. Competitors are judged based on a balanced blend of showmanship, teamwork, and technique. The winning couple will receive $100 each.

The Following Apply to the Shooting Star Tournament:

• Role switching is not permitted.
• Lifts and acrobatics are not allowed.
• All support moves must be safe and socially appropriate.
• Music is selected by the DJ and will vary in tempo and style, appropriate to the division entered.

All competition-specific determinations and enforcement decisions for this division are made by the Chief Judge and may result in a reduction in placement or disqualification.

Last Updated: October 25, 2026