Balboa
Balboa is the elegant, close-embrace swing dance that emerged in 1930s Southern California. Born from crowded dance floors, Balboa emphasizes intricate footwork, subtle leads, and smooth connection between partners. This sophisticated dance perfectly captures the refined side of swing culture.
At SwingShoes, we teach Balboa across three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Our passionate local instructors guide you through the precise technique and musicality that make Balboa a uniquely intimate and graceful expression of swing dancing in Copenhagen.
Upcoming Balboa Courses and Workshops
Balboa teachers
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Brian
Brian couldn’t resist signing up after two weekends of electroswing extravaganza. Now their feet are uncontrollable when swing music plays! For them, swing dancing is exploration, joy and learning together. You’ll see them stop mid-dance to say “what if we…” or “let’s t…
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Kira
Kira fell in love with swing at a SwingShoes beginners workshop and never looked back. Balboa is now her number one passion. She treasures those eureka moments with her students. A Billie Holiday fan, she finds joy, belonging, and creativity in every dance.
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Cecilie
Cecilie started swing dancing for exercise and fun, but Balboa quickly stole her heart. She sees teaching as mutual learning where both teacher and student grow together. For her, swing is a wordless language of self-expression and connection.
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Jan
Jan learned the Jitterbug from Per Rock and never looked back. For him, swing dance means physical and creative expression with his partner. He loves helping brave students succeed and is always thinking about the next Balboa dance opportunity!
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Ariane
Ariane fell into swing dancing in Belgium in 2016. Lindy Hop came first, but Shag and Balboa stole her heart. It’s people, connection, and joy. She loves seeing students light up and catch the jitterbug. A coffee-fueled night owl spreading smiles on the dance floor!
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Birk
Description will follow.
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Kasia
Kasia started dancing craving creativity, connection and joy—one class became a passion. It’s where her curiosity comes alive. She loves watching students grow, open up and surprise themselves. She’s converted friends to swing without them noticing!
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Allan
Allan started Lindy Hop in 2005, drawn by the welcoming community and partner connection. It’s connection—with partners, music, and community. He loves that moment when connection “clicks” for dancers. Fan of Count Basie’s groove, he can spend hours perfecting subtle technique details!
Quick guide on what to wear for balboa
Footwear is Key: Choose shoes that allow you to glide smoothly across the floor. Look for lightweight, comfortable options with a good sole!
Heels: If you prefer to wear heels, choose a stable type. Pointy salsa or tango heels are a no-go, as you need stability on the floor. Opt for heels that are no more than 4-5 cm in height for the best balance and comfort.
You can also make your own dancing shoes, making sure that is comfortable and sits well on your feet, adding a suede or leather sole at the shoemongers.
Outfit: Aim for breathable fabrics and a relaxed fit for maximum comfort (no sports fabrics). Think classy tops paired with tailored pants, skirts or shorts. And don’t forget to bring a spare top—dancing can get sweaty, and a fresh top will keep you feeling cool and confident!
Stay Hydrated: Bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated, and consider bringing a snack for energy throughout classes and socials.
Hygiene and fragrance: Remember good hygiene and fresh breath when coupledancing. If you don’t have time for a shower before dancing, a good idea is to do a quick wash with a handcloth and reapply deodorant before entering the dancefloor. A small handsanitiser, a deodorant, mints and chewing gum is always handy to bring along your dancing kit.
What Not to Wear:
- Avoid heavy fabrics that restrict movement, like denim or thick cotton.
- Skip overly loose clothing that can snag or get in the way while you dance.
- Steer clear of shoes with rubber soles or too much grip—these can hinder your ability to pivot smoothly.
- As a general rule avoid any strong fragrances or perfume as it can be disturbing for the people you are dancing with.
Good places for buying balboa shoes:
- Re-mix EU (https://remixshoes.eu)
- Swing It (https://www.swing-it.eu)
- Saint Savoy (https://www.saintsavoy.com)
- Harlem (https://www.harlemshoes.com)
- Slide and Swing (https://www.slideandswing.es)
- Madame Dynamite (https://www.madamedynamite.es)
