Get In Line with Barb

Move over Billy Ray Cyrus – the best line dancers around can be found at Seachange Arundel, with homeowner Barb Bos leading the moves.
When the ultra-catchy tune ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ led to a line dancing craze in the 1990s, Barb was one of the millions who immediately enjoyed the structured style.
Now with over 30 years of dance experience, Barb shares her steps with others and has been teaching line dancing for the past 11 years.

“We have wonderful classes with amazing groups that just make everyone feel welcome. It’s a brilliant way to exercise while having fun and being social,” Barb said. Standing in spaced out rows, line dancers all step out the same foot sequence along to a musical beat and practice to be in sync with each other to execute it as a group dance. “We dance to all styles of music. One of the latest additions is ‘Brings you Happiness’ sung by Dolly Parton, but ‘Geronimno’ is still a favourite with the Beginner Class,” she said. With 75 participants currently enrolled across the various levels of classes offered, there is one for every skill level, from Step Training right through to Improver. It is important to learn the basic steps when starting so you can follow any teacher.

“Many of our residents are planning to head away in their caravans, and after their time away they often feel it easier to slip into the beginner class to get back into it. If you want to attend the next level of classes, you need to attend on a regular basis.” Barb said she was delighted that fellow Seachange Arundel homeowner Ilja Smith was now able to conduct ‘The Ultra Beginner Class’ while another local Katrina Beer had taken on ‘The Improver Practice Session’. “The numbers continue to grow! People specifically ask the Seachange Welcoming Committee if we have line dancing – it has become very popular,” she said. Currently there are 22 people attending ‘The Ultra Beginner’ classes, 39 at ‘The High Beginner’ and 18 at the ‘Improver’ classes.

Line dancing has also taken off at Seachange Riverside Coomera, according to Community Manager Lynn Wild. “Our homeowners are really enjoying the two-hour class and find it great for fitness and making new friends.”