It seems like swing dance is sweeping the country. YouTube videos from competitions (even those that are years old) are now getting millions of YouTube hits as people discover this fun style of dance that nearly anyone can try.

Swing is known for being accepting of all skill levels and body sizes – there is no “ideal” type of dancer.

That acceptance and diversity draw a lot of people into lessons and amateur competitions.

The latest video to be revived on YouTube was first posted in 2018 – it was recorded at the West Coast Swing “Swingtacular” Invitational. In addition to choreographed dances, there was also a “Jack and Jill”-style competition.

Jack and Jills are especially challenging – and fun to watch.

Dancers are drawn at random, so they have no clue who their partner will be. They also have to perform to 2 songs, but they have no idea which ones they’ll be. At that moment, they’re challenged to come up with seamless choreography, demonstrating trust, grace, skill, and some serious improvisational skill.

Nick King and Victoria Henk ended up taking second place in the peer vote that year and the performance that got them there is really something special.

As the emcee explains the format, the two stretch it out on the floor.

But he decides to start the music while they’re still down there! This seems to come as a surprise to King (although that might be part of the shtick).

But they appear to make the most of it as the music begins and they bust some moves while sitting down!

As King lifts Henk off the floor, she strikes a few poses – and we’re already impressed that this is improvised!

Their peers are cheering them on with glee.

Once they get up, they start busting some serious moves to the song “Valleys” by the band Honors.

According to the U.S. Open Swing organization:

“The Jack & Jill competition highlights social dance skills with an emphasis on lead and follow, technique, timing and teamwork.”

And these two are a perfect example!

While acrobatic moves are not allowed, there is some room for flair as long as it’s safe and appropriate for both dancers.

But these two are so slick that they don’t need much else to win over their audience.

While the music is not what you’d expect of a swing dance competition, these two make due – and then some!

Never more than an arm’s length apart (that’s part of the swing dance playbook), the two execute some spins and twists and plenty of body movement before the music dies down and they wait to hear their next song.

They’ve done the slow song, so now it’s time to pick up the beat with Ciara’s “1, 2 Step.” To be honest, it’s even less “swing dance-y” than the first song!

But these two have it under control as they groove and pop to the beat.

And they even pull off a move that elicits this reaction from their fellow dancers:

And it wasn’t just the voters at the competition who loved their performance:

“The girl is wonderful and the man glides across the floor as smooth as you’d ever want to see. Beautiful!” said one commenter.

And we agree!

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

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Source: Ben Morris via YouTube, U.S. Open Swing