If you spent any time at the International Lindy Hop Championships this spring, you saw it everywhere: a fast, fluid variation of the classic Swingout that top instructors are calling the "2024 Breakaway." It's sharper, more spacious, and built for the uptempo revival that's sweeping dance halls from Los Angeles to Stockholm. Here's how that move—and two other documented trends—are reshaping swing dance this summer.
Why Swing Is Having Another Moment
Swing dance never really left, but 2024 has brought a noticeable surge in visibility. Viral clips of professional routines on TikTok and Instagram Reels are driving younger dancers into beginner classes. Meanwhile, the release of The Swing Kids documentary on a major streaming platform has renewed interest in the historical roots of Lindy Hop, Balboa, and Charleston. The result? Social floors are more crowded, more diverse, and more adventurous than they've been in years.
That energy is translating directly into the moves dancers are inventing, refining, and sharing across the global swing network.
Move 1: The 2024 Breakaway
Origin: Popularized by Philadelphia instructor and ILHC champion Damon Reeves, the 2024 Breakaway reimagines the classic Swingout exit.
What it looks like: On counts 5–6, the lead creates slightly more distance than in a traditional Swingout, inviting the follow to extend their right arm fully and add a subtle shoulder pop or head roll on 7–8. The reconnection on 1 is crisp and deliberate.
Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced.
Why it's trending: It photographs beautifully for social media, but more importantly, it rewards musicality. The extra space gives both partners room to interpret horn hits or rhythmic breaks.
Where to learn it: Reeves is teaching intensive workshops at Camp Hollywood in August. Regional instructors in Chicago, Austin, and Montreal are also offering dedicated classes this summer.
Move 2: Bal-Swing Fusion Footwork
Origin: A cross-style innovation emerging from the Balboa and Lindy Hop crossover scene in Southern California, particularly through the teaching of Maria Chen and the Hot Club Stomp collective.
What it looks like: Dancers embed pure Balboa basics—downholds, come-arounds, and lollies—into the middle of an otherwise standard Lindy Hop phrase. The transition happens seamlessly, often without changing partner position, creating a low, pulsing groove that contrasts with open-position Charleston or flashy aerials.
Difficulty: Intermediate. Requires competency in both Balboa and Lindy Hop fundamentals.
Why it's trending: As DJs experiment with broader tempo ranges at social dances, Bal-Swing fusion gives partners a toolkit for dancing comfortably to songs between 140 and 180 BPM without sacrificing connection or creativity.
Where to learn it: The Herräng Dance Camp in Sweden features a dedicated Bal-Swing fusion track this July. Domestically, the Lindy Focus festival in Asheville, North Carolina, will host Chen for a weekend intensive in late June.
Move 3: The Rebound Aerial
Origin: Developed and safety-tested by Los Angeles aerials specialist Mia Park, with input from physical therapists who work with professional swing dancers.
What it looks like: A backward rebound on counts 1–2 of the launch sequence gives both partners extra time to establish eye contact, hand placement, and momentum before the aerial executes on 3–4. Common variations include a backflip out or a split kick.
Difficulty: Advanced. Requires formal aerials training and a trusted partner.
Why it's trending: Safety-conscious innovation is gaining respect in competitive and social circles alike. The Rebound Aerial reduces miscommunication-related injuries without sacrificing visual impact.
Critical note: Aerials should never be attempted on crowded social floors or without professional instruction. Park's safety guidelines specify a minimum tempo of 160 BPM and a cleared, sprung-wood floor.
Where to learn it: Park runs invitation-only aerials intensives in Los Angeles and Berlin. For foundational training, seek out certified instructors through the World Swing Dance Council instructor directory.
How to Train This Summer
Consistency matters more than natural talent. Dancers who improve fastest this summer tend to follow a simple pattern: one weekly social dance, one technique class, and one private lesson or workshop per month.
Major summer festivals offer the most concentrated learning environment. Beyond Camp Hollywood, Herräng, and Lindy Focus, notable 2024 events include:
- DC Lindy Exchange (Washington, D.C., June)
- The Snowball (Stockholm, December—planning opens in July)
- Lindy Shock (Budapest, November)
Check local scenes, too
