The West Coast Swing Groove — It Isn’t Just a Dance, It’s a Movement

Known for its smooth style and incredible musical versatility, you can dance West Coast Swing (WCS) to just about anything — from blues and R&B to country, pop, and today’s chart-toppers. Think Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, or Bruno Mars. Learn the basics, then make it your own in this playful, expressive, endlessly adaptable dance. This isn’t just a dance… it’s a movement. A whole vibe. A place where creativity, connection, and musicality come together on the floor.

A very distinct, instantly recognizable style

West Coast Swing has a very distinct, instantly recognizable style, shaped by smoothness, elasticity, musicality, and a relaxed coolness.

West Coast Swing is characterized by its smooth, slotted movement, where partners travel along a sleek linear pathway that gives the dance its signature flow and elegance. Its hallmark is an elastic connection—stretch and compression that create a responsive, conversation-like partnership rather than rigid choreography. Anchored, grounded footwork keeps the dance silky and controlled, while the emphasis on musicality invites dancers to interpret the music in creative, individual ways. Borrowing styling from hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, and ballroom, WCS feels modern, expressive, and effortlessly cool. Together, these elements make West Coast Swing a uniquely adaptable dance that looks relaxed yet refined, structured yet improvisational, and endlessly responsive to today’s music.

From the streets of California to the global stage

West Coast Swing’s lineage traces back to the 1930s and 40s, emerging from the original swing dances of the era—especially Lindy Hop. When swing music mellowed and dance halls got more crowded, the dance evolved into something smoother, more linear, and more controlled.

By the 1950s, Hollywood embraced it. The dance was showcased in films and featured charismatic dancers like Dean Collins, who helped shape its distinctive look. In 1959, the state of California officially named West Coast Swing its State Dance, cementing its identity and cultural significance.

From there, it continued to evolve alongside the music of every passing decade:

• 60s & 70s: Motown, R&B, and soul added slower grooves

• 80s: Pop and soft rock reshaped its feel

• 90s–2000s: Hip-hop, blues, and lyrical music expanded its vocabulary

• Today: Everything goes—from Billie Eilish to The Weeknd to country pop

WCS has always been fluid, modern, and open to reinvention. That’s the secret of its longevity.

The big names & influencers: The dancers who shaped the movement

While the community is vast and always evolving, a few key figures have left major footprints on the WCS world:

Historic Contributors

• Dean Collins – One of the earliest architects of the slotted swing style that shaped WCS

• Marty & Nancy Lang – Early champions and teachers who codified technique

• Sylvia Sykes – A major bridge between vintage swing and modern WCS

Modern Icons

These dancers helped define the contemporary movement and push it global:

• Jordan Frisbee & Tatiana Mollmann – Multiple-time world champions known for creative innovation

• Kyle Redd & Sarah Vann Drake – Crowd-favourites with a playful, musical style

• Benji Schwimmer – “So You Think You Can Dance” winner and one of the most recognizable WCS artists

• Robert Royston – International champion and master teacher

• Myles Munroe & Tessa Cunningham Munroe – Canadian superstars known for teaching excellence

These artists didn’t just dance WCS—they shaped how the world understands it.

Why West Coast Swing has become a global phenomenon

1. You Can Dance It to Almost Anything

This is one of WCS’s biggest superpowers.If it has a beat, you can WCS to it.

2. It’s Smooth, Stylish, and Great for Social Dancing

Unlike dances with rigid rhythms or strong bounce, WCS is all about:

• Elastic connection

• Stretch & compression

• Playfulness

• Personal expression

• Conversation through movement

You’re not just dancing with someone—you’re having a dance conversation, dancing with the music, and that creative interplay is addictive.

3. It’s Highly Individualized — No Two Dancers Look the Same

The technique provides a structure, but the style is YOURS.You can be:

• Cool & slinky

• Light & playful

• Bluesy

• Funky

• Lyrical

• Energetic

4. The Community Is Exceptionally Welcoming

Swing communities are known for being:

• Friendly

• Inclusive

• Non-judgmental

• Encouraging

You can show up alone, not know a soul, and leave with ten new friends. For many dancers, WCS becomes a lifestyle, a social network, even a global tribe.

5. Endless Learning — WCS Evolves Every Year

WCS never stops reinventing itself. New styling, new musical trends, new champions, new interpretations. Social dancers love it, competitors thrive on it, and everyone stays inspired.

The WCS Groove Is Waiting

At Blueheel, our WCS program is designed to be beginner-friendly, Let you experience the dance socially right away, build confidence through a clear progression and introduce you to a fun, supportive community

Whether you’re brand new or looking to refine your skills, you’ll find your groove here.