
Hi! We're Swing Shift Lindy Hop
We run authentic Lindy Hop classes and events in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.Darn straight, this dance is a whole lotta fun. And you're invited.Our schedule for autumn 2025 is in the works at the moment. We'll be sharing details by email soon – you can sign up on this page.

To find out about upcoming classes, join our email list
Be the first to know about our next beginner intake (plus exclusive offers and discounts)
Stay up-to-date about weekly classes and weekend workshops
Get helpful class recap videos sent straight to your inbox
...and music playlists and inspiring clips to get you fired up
...and info about our social dance events
"It's super fun, and the people are lovely! It will stretch you, but you will get it!" - Katie
Clips from our classes
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.
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.
Meet your teachers

Tom with Angela Andrew


Tom
Tom Kerwin has been dancing Lindy Hop since 1999, starting with a few classes as a student in Cambridge. But he really got bitten by the bug when he first moved to London and stumbled into the LSE Swing Dance Society. From there, he started studying with dance legends Ronnie Slide and Angela Andrew, and became obsessed with this deep, rich art form.Before long Tom was teaching with LSE ‘Swingers’ founder Dawn Wong. Later, his partnership with Angela helped him develop his approach to teaching, finding balance between technique and spirit. In the intervening years, he’s taught at dance events around the UK and Europe, including the internationally-renowned Herrang Dance Camp in Sweden.Tom brings creativity and musicality to his dancing, and loves sharing the music and the dance with others, breaking down techniques and inspiring people to find their own style.He has also been known to DJ swing dance events in London, Stockholm and beyond (his extremely cool DJ name is TK Mixx).
Corissa
Corissa started dancing Lindy Hop in 2016 and stepped into a teaching role in 2023.She loves the way Lindy Hop gives you the power to have an unspoken conversation with another person – and helps you discover your own presence.“If you keep telling yourself you’ll never be a dancer, I know EXACTLY how you feel,” she says. Diagnosed with dyspraxia in childhood, Corissa always saw herself as having two left feet. But having learned the ropes from Tom (who is far too modest to admit how good he is), she's glad to confirm that she does in fact have a left foot AND a right foot, and they both bloomin' love to do Lindy Hop.These days, nothing makes her happier than working with others to develop their skills and confidence in this outrageously rewarding dance.
"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 👇
Be the first to know about our next beginner intake (plus exclusive offers and discounts)
Stay up-to-date about weekly classes and weekend workshops
Get helpful class recap videos sent straight to your inbox
...and music playlists and inspiring clips to get you fired up
...and info about our social dance events
"Fun ... and be prepared to get hot"
- Mandy
Class and event dates
Autumn Term 2025
Date | What's on | |
---|---|---|
September 4 | Beginners + Social 7-10pm | |
September 11 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Corissa |
September 18 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Suzy |
September 21 | [TBC] Scuttlebutt Tea Dance 2-5pm | |
September 25 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Steve & Corissa |
October 2 | Beginners + Social 7-10pm | |
October 9 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Corissa |
October 16 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Suzy |
October 23 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Steve & Corissa |
October 26 | [TBC] Scuttlebutt Tea Dance 2-5pm | |
October 30 | Half term break | |
November 6 | Beginners + Social 7-10pm | |
November 13 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Corissa |
November 20 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Suzy |
November 27 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Steve & Corissa |
December 4 | Beginners + Xmas Social 7-10pm | |
December 11 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Corissa |
December 18 | Beginners, Fundamentals, Practice 7-10pm | Tom & Corissa |
Spring Term 2025
Date | What's on |
---|---|
January 8 | Beginners + New Year Social |
January 15 | |
January 22 | |
January 29 | Guest teacher Steve |
February 5 | Beginners + Social |
February 12 | |
February 19 | Half term break? |
February 26 | |
March 5 | Beginners + Social |
March 12 | |
March 19 | |
March 26 |
Summer Term 2025
Date | What's on |
---|---|
April 16 | |
April 23 | |
April 30 | |
May 7 | Beginners + Social |
May 14 | |
May 21 | |
May 28 | Half term break? |
June 4 | Beginners + Social |
June 11 | |
June 18 | |
June 25 | |
July 2 | Beginners + Social |