"It's super fun, and the people are lovely! It will stretch you, but you will get it!" - Katie

What to expect

At Swing Shift, you'll find proper Lindy Hop for people who want to learn the real thing. Fast, rhythmic, and FUN.We pass on what we learned from pioneers like Frankie Manning and Norma Miller. We bring the Savoy style right from the 1930s and deliver it in the 2020s.

In our classes you'll learn a ton about partner dancing technique, embodied rhythm, and classic moves from Texas Tommy to Tandem Charleston. All spiced up with vernacular solo jazz and danced to authentic swing-era music.

Q&A for beginners

Are brand-new beginners welcome?
Yes! Some of our classes are for experienced Lindy Hoppers, but we also have options if you've never danced before in your life. Make sure you sign up to our email list (you'll find the link above) so you can find out about the best way to get going as a total beginner. Sometimes it's drop-in classes, sometimes it's a course.Do I need to come with a partner?
No. Lots of people come by themselves. Most people choose to rotate in our classes, which means you get the chance to dance with different partners throughout. But by all means, if you can convince a friend to join you, please do!Is Lindy Hop hard to learn?
Well... it's not the easiest dance in the world. The good news is that we’ve got decades of experience getting people started, getting comfortable and having fun. And obviously we're biased, but it's oh-so-worth-it.Are there social and fitness aspects too?
There sure are. Put it this way... we don't bother going to the gym ;) and for many folks the Lindy Hop community becomes a source of lifelong friendships.

• Ready to join the fun? Hop onto our email list to find out when the next classes start!

Q&A for more experienced dancers

Will I learn fixed patterns of moves in your classes?We like to mix it up. Sometimes we teach small sequences and longer routines (including classics such as California, Lindy Chorus, Big Apple, Shim Sham, Tranky Doo). Sometimes our classes are more conceptual, where we teach an idea for you to play around with and throw into your social dancing. The latter is a bit like Marmite... some people love this approach, some don't! We're always open to honest feedback, so please do let us know how you found it afterwards.Do you have a performance troupe?We do indeed. If you're interested in really challenging yourself with some advanced technique and want to supercharge your skills, come chat to us about joining.

"Go for it! Amazing teachers and support ... friendly atmosphere where you're made to feel welcome and comfortable." – Paul

OK that's the end of the page – no more to read here. To find out about upcoming classes, hop onto our email list 👇

• Sign up here

"Fun ... and be prepared to get hot"
- Mandy

Beginner Courses Autumn 2025

Ready to hit "go" on your new favourite hobby?We're running two 6-week beginner courses back to back this autumn. This gives you two different options for start dates. (If you're really keen, you're welcome to do both!)The price is only £40.

"Fun ... and be prepared to get hot"
- Mandy

Already an experienced Lindy Hopper? Hold on – we've got info coming about those classes soon.Any other questions? Drop us an email, we're here to help.We're looking forward to dancing with you!

"Go for it! Amazing teachers and support ... friendly atmosphere where you're made to feel welcome and comfortable." – Paul

Class and event dates

Autumn Term 2025

Term starts again 4th SeptemberWe're there every Thursday at Royal British Legion, Christchurch.7-8pm, we're running 2 six week beginner courses:
* 4th Sept - 9th Oct (BOOK HERE)
* 16th Oct - 20th Nov (BOOK HERE)8-10pm, we run Fundamentals classes and a monthly social dance
* First Thursday of the month: Social dance
* Other Thursdays: Fundamentals (working on core Lindy Hop drills and skills)

Spring Term 2025

Summer Term 2025