The dancer from Tauranga was in the city competing at the Piping & Dancing Association of New Zealand Otago Centre 110th annual championships as temperatures dipped to single digits.
"Dancing is meant to be cold though," Mr Hendry said.
"It comes from Scotland and Ireland."
The South Island, particularly the lower half, was quite dominant in highland dancing and the level of competition at the Dunedin championships was particularly high because dancers often used the annual event as a warm-up for nationals, just six weeks away, he said.
Nevertheless, there was a family vibe around the Maurice Joel Theatre, at Otago Boys’ High School, at the weekend because many of the top dancers grew up competing against one another.
"You know everyone because you all travel around to different competitions.
"Everyone I’m dancing with I’ve known for most of my life," Mr Hendry said.
"Everyone gets along well — it’s very friendly."
Piping & Dancing Association of New Zealand Otago Centre president Shiobhan Smith said this year’s Queen’s Birthday championships weekend attracted more than 120 highland dancers.
Competitors ranged in age from under 6 to dancers in the open category who were often in their 20s and came from across New Zealand.
This year’s solo piping competitors from D grade through to A grade included some "well-seasoned" pipers, she said.
And while neighbouring Canterbury and Southland produced more pipers and dancers than Otago, Dunedin was talent-rich, she said.
"When we do produce good highland dancers and pipers they tend to be really good."
The Otago Centre annual championships was one of the biggest competitions in the country, she said.
