Participants from around the country made a breakdancing competition in Rotorua a huge success, a local entrant says.
Some of the country's best breakdancers entered the Risky Business Volume 2 competition at the Rotorua Community Youth Centre on Saturday.
Rotorua breakdancer and tutor Shanz Whare was among the 34 participants from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua showcasing their skills.
"It was highly competitive and some of the dancers had many years of experience," he said. "It really was a good opportunity to come up against them to see where Rotorua was on the breakdancing scene."
Mr Whare teamed up with James Tango, of Rotorua, as the Fully Unknown duo for the event, entertaining the large crowd with several 30-second sets, or routines, in the two-on-two competition category.
"It was definitely a good event for Rotorua," said Mr Whare, a tutor with Break Threw Academy.
It was the first time he had entered an event despite breakdancing for the past 10 years.
"We are working hard to offer the young people a way into breakdancing through classes and events. If we can teach the young ones to pick up breakdancing it will grow in the city and more competitions will be held."
Organiser Jerome Namana said it was the first time the competition had included dancers from out of town.
He hoped people would be encouraged to take up breakdancing. It was a good hobby for young people to keep busy and healthy, and a good way for them to make friends.
Competitors were judged on their skills, technique and the originality of their routine.
The free-entry competition also included a graffiti art exhibition.