The Carolina Shag is one of the most elegant dance forms available. It is a pair dance often done to beach music at a pace of 100 to 130 beats per minute.

However, to truly comprehend what shag dancing is all about, you must witness it in action.
We recommend watching this wonderful film about Kristal Taylor and Sam West, two industry veterans at the pinnacle of their art. At the National SHAG Dance Championships, their routine earned them first place in the professional class.

“The three-night competition is held in North Myrtle Beach every year and features the best competitive shaggers competing in six divisions: Junior I, Junior II, Non-Pro, Pro, Senior’s, and Master’s,” according to the video description.

It’s a true rock and roll classic. The catchy track was created and recorded in 1959, when the genre was just getting started. It also happens to be the ideal tune for shag dancing.

It was amazing to see West spin Taylor around the dance floor like a top. They seemed to flow back and forth very effortlessly. The steps become second nature when you’ve been dancing for as long as they have.

West has been dancing his entire life, according to his website.
When his mother became interested in the Carolina Shag, he began doing it at the age of nine. He soon fell in love with the beat as well.

“Sam is a 7-time champion of the Carolina Shag Division at the USA Grand National Dance Championships and a 3-time US Open Shag Champion,” according to his website.

Taylor is one of West’s regular companions these days.
They’ve competed in a number of tournaments together throughout the years. However, their performance at the NSDC was without a doubt one of the greatest we’ve seen.

Taylor and West’s competition-winning shag dance has earned over 200,000 views and hundreds of likes. You’ll understand why after you see it for yourself.

The complete NSDC Professional Champions shag dance video is included below.