Learn Balboa

A fast-paced dance in close embrace

Level description

Description (Round 3, 2025)
Want a fast track to a comfortable 220+bpm partner dance experience by exploring the intricacies of Balboa? Then join this beginners course in Balboa for dancers that already dance swing. You will learn the basic elements of the dance as well as the playfulness it offers. This course is for dancers that have a solid understanding of elements like, partner connection, rhythm, musicality, body awareness & swing music structure.
 
Level Guidance:

This course is open to Lindy Hoppers that have completed level 5 or above in Happy Feet Studio, or equivalent. Experienced dancers in styles like Blues and Collegiate Shag are also welcome to join.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Recommended shoes

For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. 
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. 

 

Description (Round 3, 2025)
This course is all about refining your Balboa—making it more playful and conversational. Together, we’ll dive into variations that invite improvisation and deepen your connection to both the music and your partner. Our focus will be on social dancing—developing the skills that let your dancing feel effortless and musical.

Level guidance
This course is designed for experienced Balboa dancers. The fundamentals of Pure Bal and Bal Swing—such as the Collect Step, Down Hold, Come Around, Out & Ins, and Throw Out—are second nature. You’re comfortable exploring variations in social settings and can confidently dance figures like Lollies, Swivels, and Drags. You are eligible for this course if you’ve been dancing Balboa for at least two years or have completed all four rounds of Balboa for Experienced Swing Dancers at Happy Feet Studio.
If you’re unsure whether this level is right for you, you’re welcome to reach out to Happy Feet Studio or contact Lara directly.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Recommended shoes
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. 
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. 

Description (Round 3, 2025)

Ready to refine your Slow Bal skills and take your dancing to new heights? This course is designed for improvers looking to build on their foundation, expand their movement repertoire, and enhance their musicality within the partnership.

This class is ideal for dancers seeking to deepen their connection and expressiveness, adding complexity and nuance to their Slow Bal style.

Level guidance
The course is open to dancers who have either completed Slow-Bal 2 at Happy Feet Studio or have a solid grasp on the dance.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Recommended shoes
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. 
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better.

What is Slow-Bal?
Slow-Bal is a beautiful and expressive dance style that emphasizes smooth, flowing movements and connection with your partner. It is perfect to enhance your dance skills while enjoying the rhythms of slow swing music.

Description (Round 2, 2025)

The focus of this course will be on bringing your Balboa to the next level. We will bring out figures and variations that you’ve once learned but didn’t have time to integrate them in your dancing. We will connect them to your existing Balboa vocabulary for an easier integration on the social dance floor.

Level guidance
This level is aimed at experienced dancers. As minimum, you have been actively dancing Balboa for 2 years. Pure Bal and Bal Swing basics are your second nature: Collect Step, Down Hold, Come Around, Out & Ins and Throw Out. You are comfortable experimenting with those and applying variations of these steps during social dancing. You are also comfortable with figures like Lollies, Swivels and Drags. If you are in doubt, you can contact Happy Feet Studio or Lara directly.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Shoes

For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here.

For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here.

Description (Round 2, 2025)

Are you ready to take your Balboa dancing to the next level? Then join us for this exciting Slow-Bal beginners course, designed specifically for dancers with a basic understanding of Balboa.

What is Slow-Bal?
Slow-Bal is a beautiful and expressive dance style that emphasizes smooth, flowing movements and connection with your partner. It is perfect to enhance your dance skills while enjoying the rhythms of slow swing music.

Miranda & Eiki will guide you through essential techniques and style of this dance.

Level guidance

You need a basic understanding of Balboa or alternatively have a strong background in Blues dancing or Tango.

Please note: There is partner rotation in all our Balboa classes to improve the leading and following skills of the participants.

Shoes
For followers: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here.
For leaders: Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here.

Description (Round 2, 2025)

In this course we will explore elements like the finer details and variations on Throw-outs and lyrical dancing vs dancing on the beat. Furthermore, we will research how counter body movement applies to Drags, and also how this powerful tool can improve many aspects of your dancing.

Level Guidance:

This course is open to dancers who have completed the previous Balboa for Experienced Swing Dancers part 1 & 2. The current Part 3 course is not a prerequisite, as its material is not needed for 2025 Round 1 course.
If you have completed the highest levels of Lindy Hop in Copenhagen AND have good experience with Balboa, you can contact the studio to see if this course is right for you.
 
Next round of classes
6th of March – 4th of May

Upcoming Round of Classes

Dates: May 5th – June 26th

Registration for all courses starting in May is now open!

What is Balboa?

Balboa is a swing dance that originated in Southern California during the 1920s and enjoyed huge popularity during the 1930s and 1940s. It is a dance primarily danced to up-tempo swing jazz and is danced in a close embrace position as well as a more open, closed position.

Two styles of modern Balboa dance developed back in the early days of the dance.

“Pure Bal” is danced in close embrace and has developed as an answer to packed dance floors . Pure Bal has focus on footwork and musicality.

“Bal Swing” developed when Swing dancers started using Balboa steps in their more open-style dance. Bal Swing is danced primarily in open position, with a focus on figures, spins and turns.

On the social dance floor most Balboa dancers dance a mix of both during a song.

Recommended shoes for Balboa

Having slide-y or slick shoes is a big help to get the optimal Balboa experience. This is not a requirement but it will make it a bit easier to dance Balboa.

For followers:

Slippery shoes are the best, and having dance shoes with a slightly elevated heel is even better. See an example here. 

For leaders:

Slippery shoes are the best, and having dress shoes with a classic heel is even better. See an example here. 

Midweek Social

Social dance & hang out with your dance friends during Midweek Social every Wednesday from 20.15-22.30. It’s free and open for everyone! 

Swing Music

We have collected some of our favorite swing  songs, which are good for  practicing, and we put them together in a Spotify playlist 

Teachers

See our full teachers team consisting of almost 40 teachers, all very passionate and eager to share their knowledge with you!