Father-Daughter Dance Team Champions National Shag Dance Competition

Jul 19, 2020

Back in March, Sam West and his daughter Sydney West won the Professional Division Champions in the National Shag Dance Championships for the second year in a row.

Have you ever heard of the shag? No, we're not talking about shag rugs — it's the official state dance of South Carolina. The shag involves graceful footwork that's so smooth that the dancers appear to glide across the stage. The dance is so popular that since 1984, South Carolina has hosted the National Shag Dance Competition every year in Myrtle Beach.

Of course, this family didn't take up the sport recently. According to their website, the father of the duo Sam West has been practicing the shag since he was nine years old when he danced with his mother Barbara. Through the years, he competed in a number of shag competitions and won numerous titles, including the Pro and Overall Shag titles for multiple years in a row. His wife Lisa started her dance career at the age of 27, and she's proven herself to be just as much of a powerhouse.

She won multiple titles with her dance partner, including the top prize in the American Swing Dance Championships. When Lisa and Sam met, they were practically unstoppable. They won multiple championships together, specializing in shag and swing. For this couple, dancing isn't just a hobby — it's a way of life. And when they started a family, they knew they had to instill that same love of dance into their own children.

Sam and Lisa's son Mack is an accomplished dancer in his own right, competing in multiple shag competitions across the world. But in 2020, Sam's shag performance with his daughter Sidney captivated audiences across the world as they took part in a mind-blowing performance that mixed grace and elegance with speed and style. They walk onstage looking faintly nervous, stopping to pose for a photograph.

But when the music starts, the cheering begins. The duo starts their performance effortlessly, swaying their legs as easily as if they're made of rubber. They seem to glide across the dance floor with deceptively simple footwork that takes years of training to master. When you watch the video, it's clear that they're perfectly matched. Neither is better than the other, and they complement each other's dance moves as if they were born to perform together.

As the show goes on, Sidney can't help but smile at her father. It's clear that these two are having a blast and love performing on stage. They perform complex dance moves that elicit cheers from the crowd and spin effortlessly like a pair of graceful ice skaters.

As the two dance across the stage, the crowd can't keep their eyes off them. What we're witnessing isn't just another dance routine: it's a special father-daughter moment that wouldn't be possible without years of trust and bonding.

Toward the end of the performance, the dancing becomes more energetic, and Sidney can't help but let out a dazzling smile. The happiness of this duo is infectious--the crowd can't help but smile and laugh along with them.

At the end of the show, the crowd rises and gives Sam and Sidney a much-deserved standing ovation. This truly was the performance of a lifetime: and the thousands of viewers this video has racked up seem to agree. Talent and skill are important, but you won't get anywhere if you don't have a genuine love for the sport. And it's clear that Sam and Sidney's passion for dance is going to keep them on the dance floor for a long time to come.

What did you think? Were you blown away by this amazing routine? Let us know what you think in the comments. Pass this video along if you think your friends and family might enjoy it, too!