The Corporation
Country Dances, Ancient and Modern

Tandem Reel Switching Leads

Also known as: Dolphin Hey, Dolphin Reel.

Bars: 8.

Dolphin Reel In a dolphin reel two people act as one unit of the reel, they move across the set together, one behind the other, and when at the end of they reel they switch leads. In the example at left the first couple forms one unit with the woman in front, they pass the second woman by the right shoulder and turn around in such a way that the man is now in front, they go back across the set passing the second man by the right, second woman by the left, turn around at the bottom so that the woman is again in the lead and pass the second man by the left.

History

As far as I know the origin of the term "Dolphin Reel", and the first dance to use the figure are the same: Pelorus Jack, 1993. Pelorus Jack was a dolphin from New Zealand who liked to guide ships.

Some dances which (probably) use this figure

See Also

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