Rhumba

A soft, controlled Kilian-hold dance in 4/4 with matching steps, a double change of edge, wide steps and two S steps on four-beat edges.

dance

Not checked yet. The mechanics on this page are a first draft by a non-expert, and no coach has seen them yet. Read them as a starting point and check them with a coach. Corrections are very welcome.

The dance

Rhumba in 4/4, 176 beats a minute. The hold is Kilian. Both partners skate the same steps. 16 steps and 44 beats to one pattern.

One sequence on a 60 x 30 metre rink, drawn upright as the rulebooks draw it, starting at the dot and travelling anticlockwise. The faint half is the same steps skated again. Rinks vary, and on a smaller one the pattern shrinks to fit. Measured from the diagram in U.S. Figure Skating 2026-27 Rulebook, page Dance-102.

Step	Hold	Both partners	Beats
1	Kilian	LFO	1
2		RFI-Ch	1
3		LFOIO	2 + 1 + 1
4		XF-RFI	2
5		LFO	4
6		CR-RFO	2
7		XB-LFI	1
8		Wd-RFI	1
9		LFO	2
10		XB-RFI	4
11		Wd-LFI Wd-XF Op SSt	4
12		RBO Wd-XB-Cl SSt	4
13		LFI	4
14		RFI3	4 + 2
15		CR-LBO	2
16		XF-RBI	2

The steps are in the rulebook's own notation: foot, direction and edge, with Pr for a progressive, Ch for a chassé, SwR for a swing roll, XB and XF for a cross step behind or in front, 3 for a three turn, CSt and SSt for C and S steps, Op for open and Cl for closed. From the step chart in US Figure Skating's 2026-27 rulebook.

The Rhumba is lively yet soft, and US Figure Skating wants it skated with hidden power and control. Both partners skate the same steps in Kilian hold. Step 3 is a double change of edge, outside to inside and back to outside, with a lift of the free leg on the third beat.

The rulebook singles out the wide steps on 8 and 11, which must be stepped wide and never jumped, and the pair of S steps that follow: an open one crossed in front, then a closed one crossed behind, each finishing on a full four-beat edge. Steps 10 to 14 each start on the third beat of the bar. The dance should stay smooth, without bounce.

British Ice Skating lists the Rhumba at National 8, one of five dances to choose from. US Figure Skating tests it at International.

Appears in

In New Zealand's grades

None of the New Zealand level lists in this guide name it.