Pontins Winter Warmer Salsa at Pakefield

I felt sorry for friends when said they were going to a salsa weekender on the coast in the depths of winter. Britain’s seaside resorts are great in summer but out of season, you wonder what they’re for. Just the thought of it - bbbbbrrrrrrrr - it’s not just cold, it’s blowing a howling gale, the chalet’s wobbling, you didn’t bring enough sensible clothes, you’re freezing to death and the food’s awful, posted by Editor,

Photography and films by Miguel de Foto. Above: Partying Pontins style.

Friday, Nov 24 2006.
         Well, this year, me and a mate decided to go – to Club Cubana’s Latin Explosion Max 3 event at Pontins’ Pakefield resort on the Suffolk coast. In winter – 10-13 November to be accurate. It’s not as if I had anything else to do, apart from dossing out on the sofa and waiting for summer.
       It’s not a bad drive up the A12 from London. Eerrrrrmmm, it’s quite nice. First impression of Suffolk is charming, quaint, old world, with tea rooms and real country pubs – not barn-sized soulless drinking houses with plastic, made up names.
       Some of my mates said they weren’t going to this one – they were cleaned out of dosh, went to the one in summer or didn’t think it would be “advanced” enough. I can’t get a handle on this “advanced” thing. Club Cubana’s Organiser Cressida Childs gears the Latin Explosion Max 3 Weekender to beginners through to intermediates, but we’re all improvers, salsa’s a social, partner dance and it’s all about being able to relax, unwind and have fun - it’s the vibe that counts.
       The resort is homely, nicely laid out, so you don’t need a map to get from one venue to another, chalets cosy and comfortable. Workshop spaces are a good size, so if you arrive 5 minutes late, there will still be room for you. Food-wise, there are lots of fresh, healthy salads, baked spuds as well as cooked -

including vegetarian options -and freshly made omelettes. Service was fast so no long queues and you could get tooled up and sat down without a fuss. The package includes h/b (breakfast, dinner) but there’s an on-site café serving hot food at lunch times.
     Pontins weekenders have a reputation for

being friendly and this is no exception. The vibe was down to earth, informal, no standing on ceremony. It’s not always easy to ask people to dance at late night parties (whether you’re a guy or girl), but when you get a friendly vibe going, it just happens.       There may not have been many “advanced” dancers there, but people were out on the floor, having fun and enjoying themselves.
       At all three party nights, teachers were out there, partying with the punters - not just a few of their favourites and the top dancers - joining in the fun and… were just as exhausted at early morning workshops!
     There are solid advantages to not having the place packed out with advanced dancers. If you’re going for the workshops – these are smaller, more intimate, they’re aimed at your level and you get more instructor time and attention.
       Without huge groups of people at workshops and parties, you get enough space to dance, and you can dance without being intimidated - you might even get up the nerve to ask someone to dance or get asked!

“ This went
pear shaped when Joe (the errrmmm, lady) and Tiz did a partner work routine together – as salsa it made very good all
in wrestling. ”

Tiz Rungano - One To Watch We’ll be Posting Men’s Styling Video Clips with the Latin Collective’s Rising Star - Check out Tiz’s Talent - Video Clips Coming soon..so keep checking back!!!

       On the workshop front, there was plenty to choose from; salsa (Cuban and cross body style), styling and shines, plus Argentine tango, samba, lambada and bachata. There were 17 top instructors, including: direct from Brazil, Luís florião & Adriana d’Acri; Rohan Brown, Cressida Childs plus.the Latin Collective’s Tiz Rungano and Joe Davids (see left).
         Tiz Rungano and Joe Davids (Aiste was unwell, so Joe did the honours in the ladies’ styling workshop), Joe’s Ladies Styling Dance Company performed to perfection although this went a bit pear shaped when Joe and Tiz did a partner work routine together towards the end. I’m looking forward to the video of this.  As salsa, it made very good all in wrestling.              
     Club Cubana’s Pakefield winter weekender is ideal for dancers with less experience. This is a relaxing weekend combining good solid tuition, and a chance to dance and socialise with others of the same level.
     Generally speaking,  workshops cater for those learning from scratch up to about 12 months - namely beginners, improvers and intermediates.    
     But…with a chance to try out a range of different dance genres, a great dance floor with space to shake your bootay at lat night

parties, this is an enjoyable experience for salseros at all levels. Down to earth, laid back, informal with a friendly crowd up for fun.  
       Girls - brave the bracing weather and get out those skimpy frocks and strappy high heels! Guys, there’s plenty of women hugging the edge of the dance floor waiting just for you!
       Next year, Pontins “Salsa Headway” weekender for beginners and imporivers is scheduled for Friday October 12 to October 15, so there’ll be no clash either with Pontins December at Brean Sands or the UK International Cuban Congress in North Wales.
         ......Yeap, I’m hooked! British seaside resort. On the Coast. In the depths of winter. Cooooooolllll.      
words by Editor, www.londonsalsascene.info
All photography and films by Miguel de Foto. To hire Miguel for your event call: 07734 72 1983. All materials copyright www.londonsalsascene.info