In a national level dance competition, it is very rare that you see a father-daughter duo.
Most dads only get the chance of dancing with their daughters when they are still young or on their wedding day. These are unforgettable moments for any father, memories that they get to keep and cherish for the rest of their lives.
And for a dad, isn’t it sweet when your daughter chooses to follow in your footsteps? May it be your way of life, professional career, or talent. It’s a proud moment for any dad and what’s even better is if you get the chance to guide them on the path that they have chosen.
For this dad, however, he didn’t just guide his daughter, he joined her on the journey.
Sam West is a legendary shag dancer.
In 1994, together with partner Melissa Calabrese, they won the Non-Pro National title and they eventually became the Overall National Shag Champions and the rest was history.
“Then in 1995 Sam partnered up with his sister, Sarah, and they went on to capture 8 Professional Division titles and 4 Overall titles. Sam also won the Pro and Overall Shag titles in 2001 with Jackie McGee, again in 2006, 2007 and 2008 with Jessica McAlhany, then in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2017 with Leslie Jennings, and in 2014 and 2016 with Krystal Taylor Davis.”
Sam is also a 7-time champion in the Carolina Shag Division at the USA Grand National Dance Championships and a 3-time US Open Shag Champion. He’s also named Entertainer of the Weekend three times at the Grand Nationals.
In fact, his wife Lisa is also a dancer, they are both dance teachers now.
He is a formidable foe on that dance floor.
In fact, just a few months ago, he joined the 2020 National SHAG Dance Championships, and he’s with a partner very close to his heart – his daughter, Sidney Kimble West.
The said competition was a three-night event that features dancers in six divisions: Junior I, Junior II, Non-Pro, Pro, Senior, and Masters. It’s filled with high-caliber dancers of all ages but the father-daughter tandem was just incredibly awesome on their feet.
They grooved it to Ben E. King’s ‘Stand By Me’.
You are about to witness how a legend shag dance, Sam has been dancing and bagging awards since he was young. In fact, Sam started dancing when he was just 9, and this performance of his will show you decades of experience from a world-class dancer.
When King’s classic 1961 song starts spinning, Sam and Sidney immediately flaunt their moves like no other. Ladies and gentlemen, this is a display of talent, cultivated over the years, brace yourselves because you’re up for a treat.
Aren’t those moves so smooth?
Sam definitely still has it, he continues to dazzle the crowd with his slick moves. When they say talent goes away as a person ages, Sam here, however, proves them wrong. His fancy footwork is still on a different level, he can still beat a lot of young dancers when it comes to shag dance.
Look at his equally-talented partner, his daughter.
Sidney is also on fire, she is not letting dad own the spotlight alone. She also busts out moves that only a true West can do. She’s flawless with every spin, the grace and elegance are there from start to finish.
They both look fantastic throughout their performance, they are smooth as silk, and with every transition that they do, they are doing it like they’re just gliding on some melting butter.
Actually, it’s not their first time joining the competition, they have already joined before and they ended up as champions in the Professional Division. This time is no different because they’re once again hailed as champions! It’s a repeat for this father and daughter duo, and we think nobody’s going to dethrone them on this division.
Watch the video below to see why they are the champions.
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