Does the legendary swing dancer John Lindo have a typical “dancer’s body”? No. But he’s been a championship dancer for over 20 years.

Originally getting his start in country-western style dance, he eventually became one of the big stars of the West Coast Swing circuit.

These days, he’s not only a dance instructor but a competition judge, deejay, choreographer, and even an event director.

And it’s no surprise he’s in demand – Lindo has won the Grand Nationals, U.S. Open, and many regional championships in the 2-partner West Coast Swing style, which has its roots in the old-fashioned Lindy Hop.

He’s won events in both Strictly Swing (in which you choose your own partner) as well as “Jack and Jill” competitions (where dancers are assigned to random partners and expected to pull off choreography on the fly!).

In a video posted to YouTube in 2013, Lindo and partner Jessica Cox perform a routine that won them the UK West Coast Swing Championship at the Radisson Blu Hotel in London that same year.

It’s not been seen over half a million times!

For her part, Cox is a seasoned dancer as well, classically trained from the age of 5.

She’s a three-time Junior US Open Champion, two-time US Open Showcase Champion, 4-time USA Grand Nationals Showcase Champion, and winner of the Phoenix Champion of Champions Jack and Jill competition. At the latter competition, she also placed in Cabaret, Team, and Strictly Swing!

Cox and Lindo are such accomplished dancers and stellar partners that they’ve produced teaching DVDs together and both travel the world to teach others.

Their 2013 performance is set to the Australian hip hop group Justice Crew’s 1982 hit “Boom Boom.”

It’s not your typical swing dance fare but they know how to make it work!

Since the beat is so fast, only dancers with swift footwork can make it happen – that makes this team one of the few who can rock it.

As the music pumps up, Cox does a little grind, jokingly, as her partner laughs.

But then they get down to business.

And they’re a blast to watch!

But the thumping music demands more. Twirls and shuffles won’t be enough.

They’re going to need to shake it a little bit – and boy do they!

You can hear the audience continue to roar in the background as they pull off a stellar performance.

And Cox’s hair plays a pretty big role in making it all look good as well!

It’s pretty clear these two have been dancing together for a long time and know how to have a lot of fun with it.

After watching them move, it’s clear that swing dance incorporates a lot more improvisation than we thought.

This is far more than scuffs and steps with the occasional twirl – it’s an amalgamation of many different types of dance and in order to be good, you have to really be in control of your body.

Being a good dancer on your own isn’t enough though. Partner work is mandatory and you can’t win a competition without a good relationship with yours.

That’s clearly one of the reasons Lindo and Cox have mastered the art and have a long list of championships to their names.

Be sure to scroll down below to see their fantastic performance.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: John Lindo Official Website, California Swing Dance Hall of Fame: Jessica Cox, dancetvuk via YouTube