Salsa Bangkok Asia Pacific International Dance Championships (APIDC) aims to promote Latin dance in Thailand and raise awareness of dance sport internationally by affiliating with the World Salsa Summit, a global salsa competition organized by Billy Fajardo (former head judge of the World Latin Dance Cup), Nelson Flores and Katie Marlow. WSS is held annually in Miami, U.S.A with over 20 different divisions.

• Partnerships in all Showcase Divisions will be designated as one male and one female partner unless specifically designated as a same gender division.
• Time for Showcases: All Showcase Routines (ProAm, Amateur or Professional) should be no less than 1.5 minutes and no more than 2.5 minutes long. This includes optional entrance and/or exit music. These Time Limits apply for all Showcase routines in all Styles of Dance.  Couples will have no more than 20 seconds to get into place for performance.  Any choreography prior to the beginning of the music will be counted toward the overall timing of the performance.  Likewise, dancers will have a maximum of 20 seconds at the conclusion of the performance to exit the floor.
• Props are not allowed.
• Salsa Open Division: All styles of Salsa are accepted. Tricks are allowed. Couples can choose to dance either On1 or On2, but must maintain consistent to that timing for the duration of the routine. Recognized timing for this competiton is 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Routines must be 50% recognizable salsa. The remaining 50% can be made up of tricks, flares, dips and side by sides (shines).
• Music Format: Music for all Showcase Performances to be supplied in CD format. Music will be submitted and competition line up order to be drawn at the competitors meeting.  Please see our Information page regarding music by clicking on Music CD Guidelines as written above.
• Tricks, Dips, Drops, Leverage Moves and Flares: A trick is defined as any movement that requires the support of the other partner to maintain. This is regardless of whether the feet remain on the floor or not.
• Continuous/Multiple Turns: Contestants are allowed a maximum of 8 Bars/32 Beats/4 Counts of 8 are allowed for continuous turns. More than this will result in a penalty of 10% off the final score.
• Costumes: Costumes are not required, but are highly recommended. All costumes should be in good taste with all private parts covered by non-transparent material.

Scoring of the Showcase Routines will be based upon the following criteria, and will be weighted in the scoring room in the following manner:

• 20% Timing: Recognized Salsa Timing is designated for this competition as 1-2-3, 5-6-7. Competitors can choose to break ON 1 or ON 2, but must maintain consistency for the duration of the routine. The direction of the break step can be either to the front or the back, as long as the timing of the break is consistently maintained (either 1 and 5, or 2 and 6). The majority of the routine should show recognizable Salsa Timing.
• 15% Musicality: Couples will demonstrate their ability to creatively work with the timing of their individual music. This can be done in a variety of ways, including patterns, footwork, “hits”, tricks, etc.
• 15% Technique: Technique is reflected through balance, placement and line. This refers also to general technique for partner dance, where the movement is “grounded”, and there is clarity of proper weight changes from foot to foot. Technique and/or body styling that is specific to Salsa Dance. Movement should appear to be both clear and effortless.
• 15% Difficulty: Reflected by difficulty of patterns, turns, intricacy of shine movements, and level of tricks, dips, drops and flares.Examples: The amount of turns done on both double and single foot. How intricate were the shines? In the cabaret division, what was the difficulty of the lift-work? Was it properly executed? How about jumps, kicks, extensions? Any movements requiring exceptional balance, flexibility or strength? In order to get credit for any of these things, the movement must be successfully executed.
• 15% Partnering/Connection: This is reflected in the lead/follow aspect of the dance. Are partners truly connected, or are they merely executing choreography while holding hands? Synchronicity during side by sides or shines will also help determine the score in this category.
• 10% Choreography: The couple’s interpretation of the music. Good choreography should contain clever turn patterns and shines. All choreography should be musical, and couples should show a good usage of the space itself. Originality is a factor here.
• 10% Overall Presentation: You Will Be Judged By Your Overall Presentation. This includes costuming, showmanship, and also good sportsmanship.