Understand the path.
See what comes next.

Dance Assessment Resource Guide February 2026 Copyright © 2026 Skate Canada 88 STAR 10 STAR 10A – Cha Cha Congelado Music Tempo Pattern Inventor Cha Cha 4/4 • 29 measures of 4 beats per minute • 116 beats per minute Optional Bernard Ford, Kelly Johnson, Laurie Palmer, Steven Belanger First Performed Richmond Hill, Ontario, 1989 Description This dance is designed to introduce dancers to a Latin American rhythm and help them to appreciate rhythm not only with their feet, but also with their bodies. The steps are structured in places so as to portray the feeling of “1, 2 cha-cha-cha’’. Individual interpretation by partners to add Cha Cha character is permitted provided that integrity of steps, free leg positions and dance holds are maintained. Retrogressions on pattern transitions are permitted. Steps 1 and 2 are skated on a lobe towards, then away from the barrier. Steps 3 and 4 are slip steps. Skater B (the lead) skates three slip steps (steps 3, 4 and 5) of ½ beat each but on the last one the lead remains on their left foot for another ½ count and the right foot is lifted. Skater A (the follow) skates three slip steps also but as they complete the third slip (step 5a) the left foot crosses behind on the second ½ count for step 5b. There is a tendency for skater A (the follow) to omit step 5b due to the difficulty of the weight transfer onto the step. Credit should be given by the judges to those who can perform it properly. Steps 1–5 are skated in outside hold and give the timing of a “1, 2 cha-cha-cha”. On step 6 the dancers change to hand-in-hand hold (skater A’s (follow’s) right hand in skater B’s (the lead’s) left, skater A’s (follow’s) left hand in skater B’s (the lead’s) right) to skate a series of cross in front touch down steps*. On step 7, skater B (the lead) changes sides to the right of skater A’s (the follow’s) tracing as skater B (the lead) turns a rocker and skater A (the follow) does a three turn. After they make their turns on step 8, skater A (the follow) is on the left of skater B’s (the lead’s) tracing, switching to skater B’s (the lead’s) right side after step 9. On step 10 the partners assume closed hold and on step 11, both partners extend the free leg to the back on the third beat (musical count 1). On step 14, skater A (the follow) releases their left hand from the open hold and passes under skater B’s (the lead’s) left arm while doing the C step. On step 23, skater A (the follow) places their left hand in skater B’s (the lead’s) right hand. Step 24 is a swing closed C step for both dancers, but in opposite directions so that they turn their back towards each other releasing hands. On step 25 skater A (the follow) places their right hand in skater B’s (the lead’s) left. Note that step 25 is a cross in front for both (XF-RBI for the lead; XF –LBO for the follow). Steps 27 to 36a are skated in Kilian hold and steps 27–36 are the same for both partners. They skate a series of touch down steps* in Kilian hold (steps 27 –29.) Leading to the conclusion of the dance is an extremely deep left forward inside edge for both. It is permitted to retrogress on the pattern as long as this is reflected in a degree of control. The follow then executes an open C Step (steps 37a and 37 b) to be in position to restart the dance. Note: Steps 6-9 and 27-29 should be skated with a brief but decisive weight transfer (touchdown) to the other foot on the “and” between counts returning to the original edges. Suggested Introductory Steps Skater B (Lead): LFI (2), RFI (2), LFO (1), RFI-Ch (1), LFO (1), RFI-Pr (1), LFI-SwR (4), RFI (2), LFO (2) Skater A (Follow): LFI (2), RFI (2), LFO (1), RFI-Ch (1), LFO (1), RFI-Pr (1), LFI-SwR (4), RFI-OpMo (1), LBI (1), RBO (2)