Balboa and Bal-Swing

Balboa was originally called the "Balboa Shuffle", and was purportedly named after the Balboa Pavilion in Newport Beach, California, where it was possibly invented.  It's thought to have been danced as early as 1915, and was popular through the 1930's.  The original basic step is an 8-count shuffle in place, though more commonly it moves slightly forwards and backwards.

Mike and Dan demonstrating a classic Bal-Swing move called a Lolly.

Balboa (Pure-Bal)
Ballrooms in California and the west were generally smaller and more crowded than those on the East Coast, leaving very little room for big dancing.  The dance was done exclusively in close-embrace position, avoiding big movements and often featuring intricate footwork.  Sometimes called "Pure Balboa", it's a rewarding and challenging dance to master.

Bal-Swing
At some point during the evolution of Balboa, younger dancers decided to break out of close-embrace and Bal-Swing was born.  While it retains the same basic footwork, it's a more extroverted dance that includes turns and flashy styling. 

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Vintage Balboa Styling

Balboa Competition - 2011