THE DUTCH OPEN Day 2. Friday 9th November.

At a very early hour the breakfast room at De Bonte Wever was filled with energy  much expectation and determination for  today Friday the second day 
The day began at 9.00 a.m. with the first 2 qualification rounds for the Amateur Ballroom Championship and it was evident all the competitors were so eager and enthusiastic to get on and show their great skills. We had 3 super heats and very inspirational music to help them reach full potential today.  It is very clear that the main Championship on Saturday is going to be very special..
 The program for a very full day also included  Pro-Am Single Dance Latin, the  Professional Latin Show Dance, solo events A Rising Stars Professional, Under 10, Under 19 and Senior over 30, 40, 50, 60 Ballroom competitions  plus the Rising Stars Latin which had an excellent entry and promised a feast of good dancing.
The second event of the day was the Under 14 Latin and we had 3 heats filled with so much goodness, potential, talent, discipline and determination and one could only feel pride for these young dancers and the future they will give our world.
The Rising Stars Latin was third up and we had 9 heats of absolutely top quality. There was not a bad performer and as heat followed heat it became clear this was a nightmare for the judges and many really top quality couples were going to suffer disappointment. In that first round, the Rumba music was “Kiss the Rain” and this so beautiful piece enabled the couples to fully show their understanding of musicality, artistry, emotion and the connection between them and their partner. 2 become 1.
Our dance world is really unique in that it enables in the same Championship to have dancers of all ages. Under 10 to Over 60 and all with same love and enthusiasm.  I have mentioned the brilliance of the young but let us also pay tribute to the seniors, in many ways the backbone of dance and oh how the show the benefits dance gives in so many ways not least social and health.
The main evening features exciting the audience were The Rising Stars Professional and Under 19 Ballroom and they certainly maintained the very high standards of entertainment,  and quality we had enjoyed all day and of course the closing stages of the RS Amateur Larin.  What a semi an final we had!
Now we move to Super Saturday and what a day that will be with not only the Amateur Ballroom and the always highlight Professional Latin with the top stars of the dance competing, but Assen will also play host to the 2018 WC European Professional Ballroom Championship and that is going to be very special.