He was one of about 50 rock ’n’ roll dancers who competed at the South Island Invitation Contest in the South Dunedin Community Hall on Saturday.
And despite only recently returning to rock ’n’ roll dancing for the first time since it was in vogue, he and his dance partner Mary Ann Bishop (60) — they met just two months ago — were in a drop spin after winning the senior restricted 40-years-plus section.
"I was just another dancer back in the day," he said.
But not any more. He’s a prize-winning rock ’n’ roll dancer now.
Mr Kara said he returned to rock ’n’ roll dancing as a way to keep fit and make new friends.
"I’ve always been fit, but when you get into your 70s you start slowing down. You have to keep yourself active."
But the main reason for his return was because rock ’n’ roll dancing took him back to the days when he was younger.
"It takes me back to when it was really popular.
"Rock ’n’ Roll started in New Zealand in about 1955.
"The atmosphere. So many pretty girls."
Dunedin Rock ’n’ Roll Revival Club president Tom Naylor said a crowd of about 200 spectators gathered at the hall to watch dancers from across Otago and Southland try to recreate that atmosphere.
The greatest delight came from watching children as young as 5 compete in the annual event, he said.
