The Whakatāne Rock’n Roll Club made its presence felt at the Senior Rock’n’ Roll National Dance Championships, held over Labour Weekend at the Energy Event Centre in Rotorua.

A team of 70 members from the Whakatāne club travelled to Rotorua to support the 14 dancers competing across six different sections.

With competitors from clubs throughout New Zealand and Australia, the Whakatāne dancers faced some of the best talent from both countries.

Club member Karen Saul was impressed by both the event and the high standard of competition, and she had strong hopes the club would perform well.

“With nearly 700 people in the stadium all cheering and dancing along to 50s and 60s music, there was an incredible vibe,” she said.

The competition format was simple: each section required dancers to perform to one slow and one fast song.

Despite the tough competition, Whakatāne’s dancers produced outstanding results across the board.

Ms Saul and Jayne Baume danced in the Senior Same Sex section (for over-40s) and took out third place for their performance, along with third place for their outfits.

Nadia Wharepapa and Sage Maley competed in the Open Same Sex section (18 years and over), earning second place for both their dance and costumes.

Heather Holmes and Brett Morse entered the Diamond Section (for over-60s) and secured a strong third-place finish.

In the Open Triples category (over 18s), Ms Wharepapa, Shaun Karaka, and Ms Maley claimed second place for their performance and second for their outfits.

Next, it was time for the senior team to take the floor, performing to It’s In His Kiss by Betty Everett.

The Senior Team (over-40s), comprising Pauline Watty, Tracie Stevenson, Erika Neuhauser, Sharon Redding, Ms Baume, and Ms Saul, dazzled the judges with a first place for their outfits and second place for their performance.

Finally, the Open Top Club Team (18 and over) took to the floor, dancing to R.O.C.K. by Bill Haley & His Comets.

The all-female Whakatāne team of McKenzie and Natasha Smith-Bateson, Ms Redding, Ms Wharepapa, Rachel Stringfellow, and Ms Saul faced tough competition in a category open to any mix of six dancers.

When the dust settled, they proudly earned second place for their dance and third place for their costumes. Their spirited performance also earned them the nickname “the Wonder Women from Whakatāne”.

“It was such a huge achievement to bring home medals in every section we entered, and I’m incredibly proud of what the Whakatāne Rock ’n’ Roll Club has achieved,” Ms Saul said.