History of the
Shag Preservation Association
The idea of an organization of Beach Clubs in the Carolinas was born out of what was considered to be a necessity by some club owners. This came to a head in a heated discussion between certain club owners and Pro dancers on the deck of the original Mint Juleps in Wilmington, North Carolina, in the early spring of 1981. Shag contests were very popular at this time but there were many problems. These problems centered
around competition for dancers between true beach clubs and other businesses, formats for holding contests, standards for judging and many more.
The idea grew to form an organization that would promote beach music, the shag and an atmosphere conductive to both. Since beach club owners and the people interested in the music and the dance stood to benefit from such an idea of the trials and tribulations that would be faced in the next few months and the difficulties involved in the task which they were considering. Had everyone stopped to think of the work involved, SPA may never have come into existence.
Born out of controversy, this idea was to suffer many more trying times, heated discussions and even a few fisticuffs. Nevertheless, the Shag Preservation Association,
Inc. was officially organized at a meeting held at the Internationale Hotel in N. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on November 20 - 21, 1981. SPA was later incorporated as a non-profit organization in June of 1982. In December of 1982, SPA completed its first full year of activities which culminated in the first SPA Awards Banquet at the Pinehurst Hotel.
Many problems surmounted and were encountered in the next few months as
the organization underwent the usual growing pains, communication gaps and criticism accorded any new undertaking. After all, when one seeks to organize any group as diversified as beach club owners, with the added interests of patrons and dancers involved, the task becomes enormous. Realizing the goals, continued cooperation, communication and hard work of all members, patrons and dancers, SPA has grown
into a great organization for all.
SPA is a non-profit organization registered in North and South Carolina. All
monies are redistributed to the Dancer’s Awards and Banquet and other operating expenses.
The purpose of the Shag Preservation Association (SPA) is to promote and
preserve the dance called SHAG.