AGE DIVISIONS

The following age divisions will be used in all IDO Events:

On occasion there could be organized competitions for seniors and/or Adult 2. How to define seniors and/or Adult 2 could differ with each discipline, and will be outlined in each disciplines rules. Where no rule exists regarding Seniors or Adult 2, competitions are not usually organized in that discipline.

Tap rules Adult 2: age 36 and over, and senior age division in Tap will be eliminated. Adult age division in Tap will be 16 and over. (AGM 2007)

In Belly Dance, Senior Age Division will be 55 and over.

In Street Dance Adult 2, will be defined as 30 and over, no exceptions. This age division is only for small groups and formations. Age is determined by the dancer's age as the time of competition and not by the year of birth. Example if you are 29 years old on the date of the competition, and you will be 30 within that calendar year, you are too young to compete in this age division

Once a dancer decides to declare himself or herself as a senior, they cannot return to the regular competitive age without permission from the Presidium

The Official World Championship title will always be in the Adult 1 Division. For children and juniors, the title must be defined with the age division. Example: Children's World Tap Dance Championship.

 DETERMINING ONE'S AGE DIVISION

A competitor's age division is determined by his or her year of birth as it falls within the calendar year of the competition.

a. For duos or couples, the eldest partner's date of birth determines the age division. A partner no more than two years younger than the lower age limit may dance in an older division, but the age span cannot exceed three years.

Example: One dancer is 10 and one is 13, they may dance in the Junior Division but if the younger dancer is only 9 they may not.

                Note 1: While younger dancers may dance 'up' a division, the reverse is not possible and older dancers may not  dance 'down' a division.

                Note 2: A younger dancer who dances 'up' a division as outlined under the rules, such as a child of 11 dancing in the Junior Duo division MUST dance in that age division in that category for the remainder of the competition year. He or she may NOT dance in the children's division with a different partner, but he  or she COULD dance in the younger (children's) division in Small Groups or Formations.

Once a dancer has chosen to move up an age level in a specific category, such as duo tap or duo jazz, he/she mustremain in that age division until the end of year and not move back.

Dancers are never permitted to dance in two specific age divisions as explained herewith: A dancer can never dance in both junior and adult show duo, or junior and adult hip hop duo, however he/she may remain in the same age division of all other specific categories, until they reach their next age level. Example: a child age 10 or 11 may dance in junior show duo and still participate in all children categories show solo, disco duo, hip hop group, tap formation but NOT children show duo.

b. In Small Groups and Formations a dancer no more than two years younger than the lower age limit may dance in an older division, This rule shall apply to all Age Divisions of Small Groups or Formations except the Senior Division, with the following restriction: Not more than 50% of the dancers in the group or formation can be two (2) years or less younger than the actual age division. The age of all other dancers in the group or formation must fall within the specified age range.

                Note 1: While younger dancers may dance 'up' a division, the reverse is not possible and older dancers may not  dance 'down' a division.

Once a dancer has chosen to move up an age level in a specific category, he/she must remain in that age division until the end of year and not move back.

Dancers are never permitted to dance in two specific age divisions ever: a dancer can never dance in both junior and adult Show Small Group, or both junior and adult Hip Hop Formation, however he/she may remain in the same age division of all other specific categories, until they reach their next age level .

Example: a child age 10 or 11, may dance in JUNIOR Show Small Group and still participate in all children categories Show solo , Disco duo, Hip Hop group, Tap formation but NOT CHILDREN Show Small Group.

The Organizer has the right to establish a Children's Divisions under age 7, as long as it runs in conjunction with a Children's Competition ages 11 and under.

When the dancers own music is used, the judges must be informed of the name of the piece being presented either by voice or in writing. It is the responsibility of the dancer to inform the organizer of this information.