Street dancers Lynn, Iva and Elise (12) are the best in the Netherlands. ‘It always has to be better and more fun, otherwise it will be boring’

They only danced together for five games D-Three . They won four of them and were also on the podium the fifth time. They are already the number one of all trios under 14 years old in the Benelux United Dance Organization (UDO).

Short little explosions of power

So this evening at the end of March, all chairs and conference tables in the small hall of the De Schanskuil community center in Emmerschans will be put aside. The space is small but large enough for the short, small explosions of power of the three, their trainer Christel with her boombox and two proud mothers Sharon and Alina on a chair in the corner.

Even without any knowledge of the sport, the trio’s enthusiasm and agility are impressive. “Ta-da-boom, Ta-da-boom,” the cues sound just above the dull bassline of Champions by Kanye West.

Lynn, Iva and Elise show a rapid succession of powerful moves, smooth transitions and cool looks in their 1 minute 30 hip-hop dance. Things have undoubtedly become more boring here under the suspended ceiling of the Schanskuil.

Even more complete together

The three have only been dancing together for a short time. Until last year, Elise had alternately formed a duo with the twin sisters Schrik from Schoonebeek. “I had a real connection with both girls and the three of us are even more complete. We can also kiss sometimes, but it’s never the same two against one,” Elise laughs.

“It helps, of course, that we know and feel each other well as sisters. Our expression is also often the same,” Iva explains, a powerful weapon in the dance battle. “If they are really on a roll, I just follow them. Ultimately, I just hope they like me,” Elise looks hopefully at the teasing but approving looks of the young Schoonebeeksters.

Never boring

“It always has to be better and more fun, otherwise it just gets boring,” Elise continues. And there appears to be no lie in that. Even a few weeks before important Dutch and European championships – and the world championships next summer – they want to make their dance even more fun and better.

“We’ve never done that before, so we can probably do it,” they say convincingly after a new idea. Less than a minute later, Iva tumbles over the other two human diving racks with a handspring.

“I really feel like a genius now,” Elise bursts out laughing a little later after a quickly learned new hand movement. The fact that she cuts her arm open with her own nails is a side issue. Meanwhile, the temperature rises in the sweaty practice room. UDO street dancing is real blood, sweat and tears (of laughter) for D-Three.

Chasing a dream

“They are passionate, eager to learn and never complain. And they are very mature in their dancing,” explains Christel van den Wildenberg from her own dance school in Emmen. House of Elements the power of her pupils.

Mothers Sharon and Alina recognize this immediately. “There are mornings when we wake up to the bass boom downstairs. Then they are practicing again. They are really determined to pursue their dream,” says Alina.

That fanaticism also means that the trio has moments when they are not enjoying themselves, for example during competition tensions. “Then they look white with tension and we shouldn’t nag them for a while. That also says something about their mentality,” Sharon adds.

Expensive sport

The mothers will soon follow their offspring to Kalkar, Germany and Blackpool, Britain. That is an expensive affair not only for supporters, but also for the girls. The registration fee and entrance tickets are very expensive, also because street dance is not yet an Olympic sport. The trio therefore raises money among friends, family and companies for their girl’s dream.