Vancouver man’s love of line dancing wins notice

Andy Chumbley’s devotion to line dancing began when he and his wife enrolled in a dance class 15 years ago at Clark College. Chumbley later went on to teach and choreograph.

“It’s good exercise, good for the brain and a lot of fun,” he said. “As we get older, the mind wanders, and we forget things. Line dance forces you to think and remember the steps.”

Chumbley’s dedication to line dancing — which he describes as less than a career but more than a hobby — recently landed him Linedancer Magazine’s Crystal Boot Award for the 2010 Best Beginner Dance for his choreography to “Tennessee Waltz Surprise.”

The Crystal Boot Award, based in the United Kingdom, each year recognizes the most popular and top-of-the-line dances around the world. After the top five dances are selected in each category, winners are announced at a ceremony.

Chumbley was unable to attend the 2010 ceremony. However, he has been invited to the upcoming ceremony in January 2012 at the Norbreck Castle Hotel in Blackpool, U.K., to personally receive the award. He said he plans to attend.

“I’m extremely happy,” the Vancouver resident said. “I feel fortunate and lucky to be selected.”

Though worldwide recognition means Chumbley could move on to bigger venues and audiences, he instead plans to continue teaching at the Luepke Center and Firstenburg Community Center, he said.

“I’ve been dancing all my life,” he said. “I’m just going to continue until I can’t walk anymore.”