Guide for Bachata Division

WORLD STARS CHAMPIONSHIP
BACHATA PRO 2025

1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Bachata Couple : 1000 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Bachata Solo Male : 500 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE
Bachata Solo Female : 500 €

EVENT DATES

START: Thursday 24th of April 2024
END: Monday 28th of April 2025

COMPETITION DETAILS

Rehearsals: Thursday (24.04.2025) at 12:00
Competition: Thursday (24.04.2025) at 21:30

CATEGORIES FOR BACHATA

Bachata Solo Pro Female
Bachata Solo Pro Male
Bachata Couples Pro : Mixed (male-female); males; females
The organization may cancel categories with insufficient participants.
The competitor must be over 18 years old.

VENUE: Maritim Paradise Blue Hotel 5*, Albena Resort, Bulgaria

NEAREST AIRPORTS

Varna Airport, Bulgaria (40 minutes from the hotel)

HOW DO I REGISTER?
*REGISTRATION WILL BE CLOSED ON 31.03.2025!

Competitors must send a qualification video (can be your last recorded choreography; it doesn’t need to match the competition piece) as a YouTube link to promo.wssf@gmail.com
Include the following in your email:

Category you wish to compete in
Your names (or both names for the couple category)
Country of origin

We will reply as soon as possible, providing the steps and directions needed to complete registration.

Failure to follow the provided directions means your registration is incomplete and therefore invalid.
If you require an invitation letter, please attach a photo of your passport to the email.
Once approved to attend the competition, each competitor must pay for each category by March 31, 2025—no extensions will be granted.
Competitors who do not pay by the deadline will be disqualified, and their spot will go to a waitlisted competitor. Reassigned spots cannot be reclaimed.
Within 10 days of receiving our confirmation, send back a picture of your WSSF ticket and proof of competitor fee payment.

REGISTRATION FEE
The solo category fee is €60, and the couple category fee is €100 (total for both participants).
Competitors must hold a WSSF ticket for 2025 to participate in the competition.
Please note that the WSSF ticket does not cover the competition fee.

PRIZES
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Bachata Couple : 1000 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Bachata Solo Male : 500 €
1ST PLACE WINNERS PRIZE Bachata Solo Female : 500 €
The prize does not include state taxes.

WHERE CAN I STAY?
The competitor can book your accommodation on our website by choosing the preferred hotel.

- Maritim Paradise Blue Hotel 5*
- Maritim Amelia Hotel 5*
- Flamingo Hotel 5*
- Kaliakra Hotel 4*
- Laguna Hotel 4*

HOW DO I GET TO THE HOTEL?

We offer an organized transfer from the airport to the festival and return. You can register through our website and reserve your place: https://varnasalsafestival.com/transfer/

NOTICE: INFORMATION FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMPANIONS
The only way to watch the championship is by purchasing a WSSF ticket, whether they attend the workshops and parties or not. There is no ticket for just viewing the competition. The price of the WSSF ticket increases monthly and often sells out quickly. Please take precautions; THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS.

CHOREOGRAPY REGULATIONS

MUSIC SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Competitors must submit their music in mp3 format one month before the competition. Songs should be titled with the competitor’s name and category, such as “Elena Ivanova Bachata Solo Female.mp3.” Music of poor quality or poorly edited will be penalized.

MUSIC SELECTION

Music must be authentic bachata, produced by a bachata artist or group. Covers by bachata artists (such as “Dos Gardenias” by El Torito, produced as bachata) are allowed.
The song may be live or studio-recorded, as long as it has good audio quality. Only up to two songs may be used in a mix, but remixes are not allowed.
Submit music in mp3 or mp4 format only via email promo.wssf@gmail.com at least one month before the event. Bring a backup on a USB drive.
SONG DURATION: For solos the choreography should be 1’30” (90 seconds) and couples the choreography should be 2’00” (120 seconds). For both categories the choreographies could have a margin of 5 seconds less or 10 seconds more for music editing purposes. Therefore, the choreography must be between 1’25” to 1’40” for solos and 1’55” to 2’10” for couples.

PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES

Categories

Bachata Solo Pro Female
Bachata Solo Pro Male
Bachata Couples Pro: Mixed (male-female); males; females
The organization may cancel categories with insufficient participants.

Choreography

You must participate with your own choreography. Stolen choreography directly leads to disqualification. The Championship does NOT require a new choreography especially for it, you can participate with your choreography that you have already danced in other competitions.

How many choreographies do I need to prepare for the category?
The competitor must prepare one choreography for each category they want to attend.
In how many categories can I compete?
You may apply to all categories but must pass the initial video selection. Once accepted, The solo category fee is €60, and the couple category fee is €100 (total for both participants).
Competitors must hold a WSSF ticket for 2025 to participate in the competition.
Please note that the WSSF ticket does not cover the competition fee.
How long should my choreography be?
For solos the choreography should be 1’30” (90 seconds) and couples the choreography should be 2’00” (120 seconds). For both categories the choreographies could have a margin of 5 seconds less or 10 seconds more for music editing purposes. Therefore, the choreography must be between 1’25” to 1’40” for solos and 1’55” to 2’10” for couples.
Basic Steps and Footwork
Failure to perform clear bachata basics can lead to disqualification. Competitors should include basic bachata steps throughout the routine. Couples are limited to 30% footwork, remaining 70% should be in close or open hold positions.
Are acrobatics allowed?
Acrobatics are allowed but not required. Soloists and couples may include up to two acrobatic moves, each no more than 2 bars of 8 beats.
Contact Limits in Couples
Couples must remain in contact for 70% of the choreography, with the remaining 30% for breaks or free steps, which is mandatory.

JUDGES
The Stars (The main artists) of WSSF. The whole name list will be published soon.

SCORING CRITERIA

Bachata Style (30%)
Competitors should demonstrate recognizable bachata basics, posture, hip, shoulder, and arm movements typical of the style they choose. Styles include traditional, sensual, modern, and urban bachata, each emphasizing its unique characteristics without compromising bachata’s essence.
Choreography (25%)
Creativity, originality, complexity, and footwork will be evaluated. Footwork, a distinguishing feature of this championship, must reflect the chosen bachata style’s essence. For groups, coordination and synchronicity are essential. Couples must balance 30% footwork with 70% partner dancing.
Timing and Musicality (20%)
Competitors may dance to beats 1 but changes in timing must be musically justified. Deviation from the chosen timing without musical justification will result in a point deduction.
Technique and Movement Quality (15%)
Execution should be clean, precise, and display coordination, particularly for couples and groups. Foot, hip, and body movements should align with the bachata style.
Projection (5%)
Competitors should connect with the audience, demonstrating charisma, security, and style.
Costume and Styling (5%)
Costumes should complement the routine without overwhelming it, enhancing the bachata style chosen.

Creativity, choreographic complexity, and especially originality will be evaluated.
Footwork: Routines must include clear footwork, as this is a free-step competition and a hallmark of this event and style. Competitors must incorporate both challenging steps and several measures of basic bachata steps to avoid disqualification. These steps must be performed with a body cadence that aligns with the chosen bachata style (traditional, sensual, modern, urban). A routine lacking basic steps may lead to disqualification.
Dynamism: Routines should not feel heavy, static, boring, or repetitive.There should be a close connection between the music and the dance, reflecting changes, nuances, intensity, climaxes, and lyrical themes.
Couples: Synchronization and rapport are crucial. Choreography must consist of 30% footwork and 70% partner dancing, regardless of style. Partners must have equivalent levels of skill, power, and presence.
Movement Quality: All footwork, hip movements, and waves should be well-executed, with evident lead-follow connection rather than choreographed motions.
Projection: Charisma and the ability to engage the audience are crucial here. Competitors should not sing the lyrics or encourage applause with gestures; the applause should be earned through the performance itself.
Showcase Your Timing and Basic Steps: Although footwork complexity is assessed, it’s mandatory to include at least two measures of basic bachata steps (2 eight-counts – 16 counts) so the judges can evaluate the competitor’s basics. Ideally, perform these in the opening measures of your song to establish your timing and basic steps.

Bachata Style

A competitor must arrive at the world championship with well-refined bachata rhythms, whether choosing traditional, sensual, modern, or fusion styles. For fusion, especially, they should avoid excessive incorporation of non-bachata elements, as bachata must always be the primary focus. Footwork, hip movements, shoulders, arms, torso, posture, waves (when appropriate), and even distinctive bachata ways of moving across the floor must be evident throughout the choreography. Competitors are encouraged to study and be familiar with various styles before creating their routines.

Many competitors bring styles and rhythms from salsa, ballroom, hip-hop, or even rhythmic gymnastics into bachata competitions, which detracts from bachata’s inherent softness, fluidity, flow, flair, and energy. The judges are prepared to detect these deviations, and anything that strays from bachata style may significantly lower scores. No dancer who lacks bachata style—regardless of the branch they choose—can win this competition.

Incorporate basic steps into your routine, as it is mandatory. Regardless of the bachata style being danced, there is a standard footwork rhythm. This basic rhythm can be static, walking, in squares, lines, or diagonals, etc. What matters is the timing and execution of the base of bachata, the element that makes it recognizable as bachata and not another genre. Remember to include two eight-count measures (16 counts) of basic steps in your routine.

We do not allow “cabaret” bachata, which is focused on acrobatics. Acrobatics are not obligatory. In routines, a maximum of two acrobatic moves is allowed, each lasting no more than two eight-counts (16 counts). Acrobatic moves will be evaluated under technique and movement quality but will not have a dedicated evaluation category.

Simply dancing to a traditional bachata song isn’t enough if the rhythms, footwork, hip movements, and posture aren’t correct.

Choreography

You must participate with your own choreography. Stolen choreography directly leads to disqualification. The Championship does NOT require completely new choreography especially for it, you can participate with your choreography that you have already danced in other competitions.

Timing and Musicality

Timing is crucial in bachata and can be a contentious point. The organization’s criteria will set the standard for timing and musicality. Counting to eight, dancing can begin on beat 1 and shift only if musically justified. Failing to stay consistent with timing will be considered “off-time,” and this error can cost points, even if the competitor performs well otherwise.

What is not allowed is changing the timing arbitrarily during footwork or after a pause due to a lack of musical awareness. Though many street dancers may dance by “feel” rather than “beat,” this event requires a unified timing criterion for evaluation. Competitors will be forewarned, as will judges.

Finally, if a competitor momentarily abandons counting to follow a musical break and wishes to mimic an instrument or vocals, they may step with either foot until they resume the basic rhythm, where it should align again with their musical timing. Hence, this section is called timing and musicality.

Musical Interpretation

Points may also be lost for dancing inconsistently with the music. For example, performing a sliding or fluid movement during a guitar’s staccato notes (sharp and short) would indicate poor musical interpretation. Similarly, smiling through a deeply sorrowful song detracts from the intended expression. Competitors must match their performance to the song’s lyrics, theme, and mood.

Projection

This section evaluates charisma, confidence, and stage presence—particularly the dancer’s ability to convey emotion. An excellent routine, performed on time and impeccably, still falls flat if it doesn’t connect with the audience. Expression, posture, confidence, and dramatization convey or genuine feeling.

Singing along (mouthing words) and gesturing to prompt the audience for applause are not allowed. No shouting, such as “Let’s go!” is permitted. The choreography should earn applause organically. Requesting applause may result in a penalty.

Costume and Style

For a world competition, styling and costuming should reflect the event’s formality and respect for the stage, without limiting the dancer’s creativity or alignment with the song’s theme. Hair and makeup should also be appropriately styled. Avoid “streetwear.”

Costume mishaps, such as a broken zipper or a dropped button, can distract the audience and judges from the performance itself. Competitors should be prepared for such issues, as they are unfortunately common in competitions.

Dance shoes must be worn; no jazz sneakers, street shoes, sports shoes, or dancing barefoot, or there will be a penalty. For women in solo and couples heels of at least 5 cm are recommended. In female solos or couples who perform in flat shoes, it’s understood that those who wear heels will receive higher technical scores. Therefore, it is advisable for female competitors to wear heels.

STAGE
The stage is 72 m2 (width 12m & length 6m) and the dancing floor is laminate.
You are not allowed to use talc on the stage.

CANCELLATION OF THE DIVISION

World Stars Salsa Festival & World Stars Championship have the power to cancel a category in case there are less than 8 competitors. In this case the organization returns the Competition Fees. The cancellation of a category will have been announced until 7 April 2025.