The partner of modern jive promoter Colin Shaul has been left with a serious back injury after a rogue dancer threw her into a "drop" move.
Now Colin is appealing for an end to dancefloor "madness", and drops expert Peter Phillips is offering free lessons in a bid to improve safety.
Colin Shaul's partner Colleen was injured by a visitor to one of the LeRoc dance nights the couple run in Surrey. "It wasn't a member of ours," said Colin. "It was a visitor to one of our dances, and he did it after he was told Colleen didn't do drops. I cannot and never will understand men even doing these moves on crowded floors. I am already aware of many girls who have long term back problems. A few years back a male idiot did a drop on a girl placing his knee as a brake in her back. The result was a broken vertebrae. And it's likely to happen again."
Colin is urging male dancers to take more care with drops. "The message needs to go out before something serious happens. Please do something to help control the madness that's going on out there," he appealed. "Let's keep modern jive fun."
Moron
Drops expert Peter Phillips condemned the dancer who injured Colleen as a "moron who threw her into drop without a thought for her welfare". Peter is preparing a dos and don'ts guide for drops and seducers, which will be free to all organisers.
He added: "I am also prepared to give a free drops and seducers class with emphasis on safety, at any venue, for any organiser throughout the South and beyond
Nottingham jive teacher John Sweeney said: "Many men try to perform drops without understanding the basic safety aspects, and many ladies who haven't been taught how to protect themselves during a drop finding themselves being forced and twisted into drops by men who are relying on strength instead of technique. But it is not just the men. A lady who is lacking in technique and who throws too much weight in the wrong direction at the wrong time can badly damage a man's back. Like Pete, I perform and teach an extensive range of drops and seducers and would, likewise, be prepared to teach a free lesson at your weekly evening class if it will help everyone to do drops more safely."
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