Dust off your dance shoes - the Tasmanian Open DanceSport Championship is fast approaching.
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The ballroom dancing championship has the highest purse prize in Australia, and is expected to bring more than 500 competitive ballroom dancers to Launceston.
For Ava McCoull, 15, and Luke Cameron, 14, who dance with Palmer Dance Studio, this year will be their first time competing as a couple.
"It's really exciting - I can't wait," McCoull said.
"[Ballroom dancing] is just plain fun," Cameron said. "And it's inclusive for all."
There are more than a dozen different styles on offer at DanceSport, from tango to gypsy tap. But both McCoull and Cameron said they couldn't possibly pick a favourite.
"I love all dancing," McCoull said.
"Same," said Cameron. "All of them are great."
Kiara Rigby and Billy King, 13, have competed together in the past, and they have only been building on their performance since then.
"Every year it gets better and better," King said.
"It's just about being able to enjoy yourself out on stage.
"[At DanceSport], when people look at you, they aren't going to think 'that's stupid, why are they doing that' - they're excited to come and watch dancing, because it's a great sport."
The championship will be held across August 8, 9, and 10, peaking with a display of world-class ballroom dancing at the Launceston Silverdome on the Saturday.
Spectator tickets cost $44.90 - $65.25 depending on seating reserve with table tickets also available, through tasopen.org/buy-tickets
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