Hayden Duffy, Rock and Roll World Champion

Hayden Duffy and his dance partner Krystal McCullough recently became the World Freestyle (under 17 years) Open Rock'n'Roll Champions for 2011.  The results of the contest were as follows:

Junior Open Under 17 Year Old Section: Hayden and Krystal, 1st Place

Junior Traditional Open Under 17 Year Old Dection: Hayden and Krystal, 1st Place

Junior 'No Jumps' Freestyle Under 17 Year Old Section: Hayden and Krystal,  1st Place

Freestyle Open Triples Dance Section: Hayden, Krystal and Courtney, 1st Place

Freestyle Open Senior and Junior Section: Hayden and Michelle, 2nd Place

The World Freestyle Rock'n'Roll Competition was held on Sunday 13 June and ran for the whole day.  There were a lot of different types of Rock'n'Roll styles that you don't see in the New Zealand scene.  Sections included Rockabilly, Swing, Lindy, Traditional, No Jumps, Open Freestyle and Triples. 

Hayden's biggest challenge on the day was to remember the specifications of each of the five dances that he was entered in.  The critieria require a great deal of discipline and control, as you have to ensure that each dance feature is retained.  For example, when you dance 'no-jumps'  at least one foot needs to be on the ground at any time. 

The new World Champions have been dancing together for six years.  The major focus of Hayden and Krystal's year is the New Zealand Junior Nationals, which is New Zealand's biggest competition.  In 2009 they won the Junior Intermediate NZ Champions title.  This year they came third in the Junior Senior Section, and were the youngest dancers on the podium by at least two years.  Throughout the year Hayden and Krystal also travel and compete at regional competitions.  Hayden observes that 'being in a partnership for so long is a huge asset when we are creating our new routines because we have already established a lot of trust.  When we are learning the technical jumps there are many bruises, bumps, near misses and close calls!'

Hayden and Krystal train together at least two to three nights a week, for two hours at a time.  This increases significantly leading up to major competitions.  When they prepared for the Worlds in Australia recently, they were training twice a day, four times a week.  Training usually consists of fitness, running through the routines and creating new moves.  They have a coach that helps them add personality and assists with the technical aspects of the dance.  Some of the moves involve intense shoulder, arm and hip movements that require years to perfect.