Chris Wood is a champion ballroom dancer who started his journey in 1984 at a social dancing class with his brother in New Zealand and he quickly rose through the ranks; he and his partner Andrea Wood competed in the New Zealand National DanceSport Championships; the couple came 3rd out of 80 couples in the Ballroom event. In 1990 they went on to win a National title in the New Vogue event. Chris moved over to Perth from New Zealand quite a few years ago and has really loved it. He loves the weather and the great friends he has made along the way.
Chris has been working with Ballroom Fit since the beginning, working with Darryl Davenport OAM to help create a magical community. Ballroom Fit is a dance school for people with disabilities, although it is not just a dance school, it is a kind, supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and have in a place that accepts every single part of them. Darryl and Chris have worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone has a safe and supportive place to express themselves in.
Chris has partnered a variety of students with Ballroom Fit, most notable one being Sam Hall, a para dancer, their partnership lasted 4 years and was something to admire, their connection was obvious on and off the dancefloor. They went to the Australian DanceSport Championship in 2019 and got very satisfying results throughout the competition. Sam quickly became an important part of not just Chris’ life, but many of those in the Ballroom Fit community and her recent passing has left an unfillable hole for many people.
The late Sam Hall and Chris Wood 2022
Chris uses yoga and mindfulness to decompress after the day of teaching. He loves teaching with Ballroom Fit and seeing the joy dancing brings so many people who never thought that they would ever dance. His adjudicating qualifications in New Zealand have recently been recognised in Australia so he is starting his adjudicating journey as well as teaching.
Chris’ contributions to Ballroom Fit are immeasurable, he always makes sure that everyone is organised and has everything they need. He has made an impact on many people within the dancing community and out of it.
Chris Wood with the Ballroom Fit team in 2025
Chris Wood with Darryl Davenport
Article by 16 year old Para Dance Siria Lochrie.
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