CODE OF CONDUCT
West Coast Swing is a playful, creative and social dance built around music, partnership and connection. We believe people learn, grow and create best when they feel safe, accepted and respected.
We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that celebrates different people, experiences and perspectives, and encourages everyone to participate, develop and enjoy being part of our community.
This Code of Conduct applies to all EastonSwing classes, workshops and events, including Trinity Swing, Detonation Dance, Midland Swing Open and Flowstate Festivals.
By attending, we ask you to help us create the kind of dance community we all want to be part of.
1. RESPECT & KINDNESS
Everyone deserves to feel welcome in our community. Treat fellow dancers, teachers, competitors, volunteers and staff with courtesy and respect, regardless of their background, identity, experience or dance level.
- Treat people as people first. We don't all need to share the same opinions or experiences to treat one another with dignity and respect.
- Discrimination, harassment and bullying are not acceptable. Behaviour that targets or excludes someone because of characteristics such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age will not be tolerated.
- Help create the atmosphere you want to experience. Cheer for competitors, introduce yourself to someone new, dance with people outside your usual circle and offer encouragement generously.
- Remember that everyone was new once. A little patience and kindness can have a lasting impact.
2. CONSENT & PERSONAL BOUNDARIES
A great partnership requires both people to feel comfortable. Be attentive to your partner's boundaries and communicate your own clearly and respectfully.
- Every dance is a choice. Anyone can ask someone to dance, and anyone can say yes or no.
- Make your yes clear. A smile, nod or enthusiastic "Yes, please!" helps your partner know that you're happy to dance.
- It's always okay to say no. You may decline a dance for any reason, and you do not need to explain why. Please decline kindly and accept a "no" gracefully.
- Consent continues throughout the dance. Agreeing to dance does not mean agreeing to every movement, level of physical contact or interaction.
- Pay attention to your partner. If someone appears uncomfortable, hesitant or asks you to stop or change something, respond immediately and respectfully.
- Respect personal boundaries off the dance floor too. Consent and consideration apply to physical contact, conversation, photographs and other interactions throughout our events.
3. SAFETY & CONSIDERATION
We all share responsibility for keeping our dance floors and events safe and enjoyable.
- Dance within your abilities. Do not attempt movements that put you, your partner or surrounding dancers at unnecessary risk.
- No lifts or aerials on the social floor. Drops, weight-supported movements or other potentially hazardous movements should only be used in appropriate environments and with consenting partners who have the necessary experience.
- Look after your partner. Communicate injuries or physical limitations when relevant, and respect any limitations your partner shares with you.
- Practise good floorcraft. Be aware of the space around you and adjust the size and energy of your dancing to the conditions of the floor.
- Alcohol and other substances. Please enjoy yourself responsibly. If our team believes you are too intoxicated or otherwise impaired to dance safely, we may ask you to leave the dance floor or event.
- Personal hygiene matters. West Coast Swing is a close-contact activity. Please use deodorant, consider bringing fresh tops for longer events and be mindful of anything — including long hair, jewellery or clothing — that could cause discomfort or injury to your partner.
If an accident happens, check that everyone involved is okay. If someone is injured or needs assistance, please alert a member of the event team.
4. CLASSROOM ETIQUETTE
Our classes should be environments where everyone has the opportunity to learn.
- Listen while teachers are speaking. Keep conversations to a minimum during explanations and demonstrations so everyone can hear.
- Be aware of the people around you. Position yourself so others can see demonstrations and have enough space to participate.
- Respect the rotation. Where partner rotation is being used, please follow the system explained by the teachers.
- Leave the teaching to the teachers. Avoid giving unsolicited instruction, corrections or feedback to your partners during classes.
- Questions are welcome. If something isn't working, ask the teaching team. Your question may help others too.
- Feedback should be invited. Outside of class, dancers are welcome to practise and exchange ideas when everyone involved has agreed that feedback or coaching is wanted.
5. WELCOMING NEW DANCERS
Every experienced dancer remembers what it felt like to walk into a dance class or event for the first time.
We are particularly proud of our Zero to Hero programme, which means some people attending our events may be experiencing West Coast Swing — or even partner dancing — for the very first time.
Please help us make that experience a positive one.
Introduce yourself. Ask someone new to dance. Be patient when someone makes a mistake. Encourage rather than criticise. Help people understand how things work without making them feel that they should already know.
The way we treat new dancers today shapes the community we have tomorrow.
6. HARASSMENT & INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
We want everyone to be able to participate without feeling intimidated, pressured or unsafe.
Harassment may include unwanted physical contact, sexual attention, repeated unwanted invitations, threatening or intimidating behaviour, discriminatory comments, bullying, deliberate humiliation or behaviour that continues after someone has asked for it to stop.
If someone tells you that your behaviour is making them uncomfortable, listen, respect their boundary and change the behaviour.
You may not have intended to cause discomfort, but the impact of our actions matters too.
Serious incidents, or repeated behaviour that negatively affects the safety or wellbeing of others, may result in intervention by the event team.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include a conversation or warning, removal from an activity or dance floor, removal from the event, or restrictions on attendance at future EastonSwing events.
SUPPORT & REPORTING
If you experience or witness behaviour that concerns you, violates this Code of Conduct, or simply leaves you feeling uncomfortable or unsafe, we encourage you to speak to us.
You do not need to decide whether something is "serious enough" before talking to us. If you're concerned, we would rather know.
We will aim to handle reports sensitively, discreetly and fairly, taking the circumstances and the wishes of those involved into consideration wherever possible.
During an event
Speak to a member of the event team, visit the Registration Desk, or ask a DJ or staff member to help you contact the appropriate person.
If there is an immediate safety or medical concern, please alert a member of staff straight away.
After an event
You can contact us privately by email or through our social media channels.
Instagram/ Facebook: @eastonswing
Conduct and Safety Liaison
Natalie Lockyer
+44 79 69 51 83 98
Executive Director
Lee Easton
+44 79 44 55 43 25
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
If your concern relates to a WSDC event and you are uncomfortable reporting it directly to our team, or you believe your concern has not been appropriately addressed, you may contact the World Swing Dance Council (WSDC) at:
Concerns relating to the ethical conduct of WSDC Board members may be directed to the WSDC Ombudsman Committee at:
OUR COMMITMENT
A Code of Conduct isn't about removing the fun, freedom or personality from our dance community. It's about creating an environment where more people feel comfortable enough to participate fully.
West Coast Swing thrives when people feel free to dance, experiment, connect, make mistakes, meet new people and express themselves.
We all play a part in creating that environment.
Be kind. Be aware. Respect boundaries. Look after one another. And enjoy the dance.