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Those who have watched 15-year-old ballroom dance partners Raymond Carter and Sasha Paunovic in competition say they appear to glide across the floor, effortlessly, in a way that gives spectators goose bumps.
Judges obviously agree – the couple have won so many NZ competitions they struggle to name them all, but one that they won’t forget is last month’s Queensland Open Champs where they won four championship titles.
The competition attracted dancers from Australia, NZ, the UK and America and in Raymond and Sasha’s Junior, Level Four, division they were the only Kiwi couple.
The pair took the Open Ballroom, Open New Vogue, Open Latin and Eight Dance trophies.
One of the secrets to their success is that they have been dancing together for 10 years – one of the longest standing partnerships that Silverdale Ballroom dance teacher Norma Wright has ever seen.
Raymond lives in Puhoi and goes to Mahurangi College, while Sasha is at Orewa College and lives in Whangaparaoa and they met when their parents brought them to Norma at Silverdale Ballroom Studio to learn to dance.
Both say that they immediately took to it and never looked back.
Sasha says the fact that they’re both quite competitive and take their dancing seriously makes the partnership work well.
“Communication is important and we support and encourage each other,” she says.
Keeping fit is also key. As well as various sports and gym work, the pair train at North Shore Dance Centre two or three times a week and have now left Junior competition behind – this season they are in the Youth Division for 16–21.
“We have to start at the bottom again and make our way to the top,” Sasha says.
With school ball season upon us, teenagers may be showing an interest in learning ballroom dancing styles. Classes are available at Silverdale Ballroom Studio, phone Norma, 427 5542.
