Having a Ball

By Laura Koss-Feder

Some couples golf together. Some play tennis. And some, like Terry Viney, 62, and his wife Leilani, 51, dance--and by dancing, we're not talking about the occasional night out. Terry, a strategic-planning consultant, and Leilani, a dietitian, spend 20 hours a week taking lessons and rehearsing the waltz, fox trot, tango and quickstep. They hone their moves so they can participate in about 10 different ballroom-dancing competitions a year. It's an endeavor that costs $6,000 annually, mostly spent on travel and numerous gowns and tuxedos that have been hand stitched for their outings. They have even built a 20-ft. by 30-ft. ballroom addition to their two-bedroom, ranch-style home in Millburn, N.J. "You get a major rush of adrenaline when you're out there on the dance floor," says Terry, who has been competing for a decade. "It's even better when you win."

The Vineys aren't the only adrenaline-fueled boomers who have taken to the ballroom circuit. Scores of others have been lured to the dance floor by the thrill of the competition, the beauty of the dance and the glamorous costumes that take them back to the bygone era of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. A nationwide renewed interest in classic dances like swing, salsa and tango has attracted many new competitors to the sport, says Ken Richards, director of promotions and publicity for the U.S. Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association (USABDA).

About 45% of the adult ballroom-dancing competitors are 50 and over. Their numbers have increased 100% in the past five years, according to Tom Murdock, vice president of marketing and promotion for Arthur Murray International, based in Coral Gables, Fla., which operates 145 dance studios in the U.S. Whether competing in the tango, waltz or swing, boomers who enter the 100 local, regional and national dance competitions that are held around the U.S. each year, or the 100 held overseas, say they don't have to spend hours on the treadmill or in aerobics classes to stay fit--and they're having a lot more fun than they would hitting the gym. "These people have enormous physical ability, and it's keeping them young. Someone who plays soccer, football or basketball probably couldn't last more than a few minutes in a ballroom-dance competition," says Archie Hazelwood, 82, president of the USABDA.

Ballroom dancing, both recreational and competitive, became hugely popular in the 1920s, particularly on the East Coast. Now it's a worldwide phenomenon in which competitors perform anywhere from 20 to 30 individual dances over several days. Each dance lasts only about 50 sec. to 1 min. 45 sec. A panel of judges bases its decision on a slew of factors, such as timing, poise, balance, style and how well couples move together. Prizes are usually trophies but in some cases cash awards of around $500 that are used to pay for future lessons. Many avid amateurs spend easily $15,000 to $20,000 a year, including lessons, costumes, travel to competitions and event fees, Hazelwood estimates.

"Most competitions are very organized, fun and not cutthroat or nasty. It's not like what you saw in the movie Strictly Ballroom," says Jack Rothweiler, president of Fred Astaire Dance Studios Inc., based in Longmeadow, Mass., which has 100 locations. Barclay Ward, 72, a retired industrial designer, began dancing 13 years ago, not long after he suffered a heart attack. It was time to start exercising regularly and staying in shape. He and wife Rita, 71, a retired art teacher and artist, had always enjoyed the Viennese waltz and tango, so they started entering competitions in 2001. Following a rigorous schedule at each event, they rise at about 6 a.m. to get into costume. By 8 a.m., they begin participating in numerous 50-sec. dance spots, typically over a three-day period. In addition to performing with her husband, Rita has entered competitions with her instructor, performing such dances as the cha-cha, rumba, samba and swing. "We felt like we were dancing in the movies, like we're just flying on air," says Barclay, who is 6 ft. tall and 190 lbs. Rita, on the other hand, gets nervous on the dance floor with all eyes upon her. "I still have nightmares that I catch my heel on my dress and fall," she says.

For Martha McCaleb, 58, who owns a convenience store in Columbus, Miss., dancing in competitions has been her way of keeping active, having fun and pushing the limits of a favorite hobby. She took part in her first competitions, with her instructor, in August 2003, along with several others she had met at the dance studio where she takes lessons. "You don't need an escort, and it's an easy way to socialize and get to know other people, even if you're competing against them," McCaleb says.

While the social aspect is key, at the end of the music, it's still a competition, and couples work hard to win. Few know that better than championship-level dancer Bill Betz, 65, who owns a sign company with his wife and dance partner, Marcia, 66. They've made hundreds of friends and acquaintances all over the country during the 13 years they have been competing--and taken home plenty of trophies. The couple, hailing from Clinton Township, Mich., has come away with 12 championships over the years, dancing such classics as the waltz, tango, Viennese waltz and fox trot. "We get the kind of high that runners get from their sport," says Bill, who went from 222 lbs. before he began competing to the 165 lbs. that he weighs today. "It's so great when you're out there on the dance floor, and the crowd cheers, and you know that you are at your best."