Wheelchair dancing can be an empowering and liberating experience as Jessica Holtzhousen discovers
Dancing duo Jessica Holtzhousen and Kallie Adams participated in an International Para Dance Sport competition in the Netherlands during April. The pair made it to the semi- finals in both ballroom and Latin dancing.
“I started wheelchair dancing at Hope School and danced for seven years,” explains Jessica. “Some years after leaving school, I met up with Kallie. He needed a new dance partner as his previous partner retired.”
“We have been dancing for three years now. I love the freedom to express myself through dance. When I’m dancing, I don’t feel disabled. I feel beautiful and normal when spinning on the floor in a beautiful glittery dress all made up for a show.”
The talented wheelchair dancer is skilled in both ballroom and Latin American dancing. She shares: “I am most comfortable with standard ballroom, but love being able to express myself through Latin dancing.”
Their participation in the International Para Dance Sport event was the duo’s first competition against high-level competitors, which makes their achievement even more awe-inspiring. In the semi-finals, they danced against five other couples.
“I’m exceedingly proud and honoured to wear the Protea colours for Dance Sport. It was a wonderful experience carrying the South African flag in the opening ceremony,” Jessica recalls.
She encourages others to also consider dancing: “It’s both a sport and a social activity. It gives us a chance to really enhance our wheelchair skills.”
“We are working on promoting Dance Sport at LSEN schools, University Advocacy units. We want to see the sport grow. I’m planning on getting my coaching and judging qualifications. There is a total lack of wheelchair users in the judging and coaching circles,” she concludes.
The April event was but one of several events hosted by World Abilitysport for World Para Dance Sport. The big showcase will be the 2025 Para Dance Sport World Championships, which will take place from 21 to 23 November in Slovakia.
“The World Championships are always very special and we expect Kosice 2025 to be no different,” shares Charmaine Hooper, Chief Executive Officer of World Abilitysport. “It is the highlight of the calendar and there is a huge amount of excitement in the build-up.”
“Anyone watching can expect to be completely dazzled by the more than 150 athletes from 25 countries. From what we have seen so far this season, they are working on some very special routines. Anyone can tune it to watch the competition,” she continues.
They will be sharing updates on their various social media channels, which can be found at @paradance.
While the international stage offers dancers from across the globe to compete with the best in the world, it also serves as an opportunity to encourage others to try the sport.
“Offering dancers with disabilities a platform to compete is so important because we believe that dance is for everyone. By competing, those dancers can show others that they can dance too and that’s important for many different reasons.”
“Dance is one of the world’s easiest activities to start – you don’t need any specialist equipment to begin, just yourself and some music,” Charmaine notes.
Dance can be fun, improve your fitness and offer you the opportunity to socialise with your friends, family or dance partners. To pursue the sport more seriously, it is recommended to join a formal club.
“Then if you like it, there are many dance clubs where you can do some more serious training that are in turn linked to national dance or Para dance federations,” Charmaine explains.
“These are the people you need contact if you would like to take it to the next level and compete against others,” she continues.
World Abilitysport is involved in setting the rules for Para Dance, liaising with competition organisers and building a strong community among the athletes, teams and officials. The organisation is now looking to make dance even more inclusive.
“We have been working [to ensure] a really solid base for Para dance to go from strength- to-strength,” Charmaine shares.
“That has included enhancing the inclusive ethos of the sport; opening it up to people with vision and intellectual impairments via pilot events; and introducing new opportunities for dancers in powerchairs and ambulant dancers.”
“There is also now the chance for same- sex couples to compete with each other in freestyle. Through all of these developments, we aim to encourage and reflect the creativity that exists within Para Dance and attract more people to the sport,” she concludes.
