What is the Balboa Dance?

Balboa is a form of a swing dance that emerged in the 1930s and 1940s. It is danced primarily in close embrace , and is lead with a full body connection . The art of Balboa is the subtle communication between the lead and follow, like weight shifts, that most viewers cannot see. As a result, Balboa is considered more of a “dancer’s dance” than a “spectator’s dance”.

Balboa is danced to a wide variety of tempos. Because the basic is so simple, Balboa can be danced to fast music (over 300 beats per minute). Balboa is also danced to slow music (under 100 beats per minute), which allows more time for intricate footwork and variations.