FARMINGTON — At first glance, it looked like a physical education class as kids of all ages stretched out on the hardwood floor and did crunches Tuesday. Then they rolled over and did push-ups.
Their faces perspired as they did a number of sets before doing more stretching and breathing exercises.
Duggan Hill, director of City Lights North on Broadway in Farmington and Boston City Lights in Massachusetts, watched from the sidelines as students exercised and then learned the dance steps.
Floatski, also known as B-Boy Float, is one of the best break dancers alive, Hill said. He really stresses a lot of cardio, he said. It has taken him about 20 years to develop his methods, he said.
Hill said he’d like to see more kids take advantage of Floatski’s experience. He is hoping more will join them before the week is out.
Music sounded from a stereo system as students faced a mirrored wall and Floastski demonstrated how to do a baby freeze, a break dance move.
He put his head on the ground, one side of his face facing up, the other side just touching the floor, as he balanced one side of his waist on one arm and the opposite leg on another. In seconds, he had both feet and body off the ground except for his hands and an upper side of his face.
Now, it was time for the mix of boys and girls to learn how to do it.
Park Laflin, 10, of New Vineyard did his best to duplicate Floatski’ freeze technique. The two did the steps together before it was someone else’s turn.
While it looked easy for some, others struggled. They left off with the practice with promises of more lessons to come.
Now it was time to practice more dance steps to the beat of the music.
Break dancing combines aerobics, floor moves, balance, endurance and for some, heavy breathing. It’s a major component of the hip-hop culture.
Prior to getting down to dancing, students started at 8 a.m. to work on vocals, moved on to jazz, then stretches.
Parents Cindy Powers of New Sharon and Lori Burgess of Phillips sat in the entryway and watched their children practice. They have attended the free weeklong camps for several years.
“They love dancing. This our fourth year,” Burgess said. She has four children in the program.
Powers said her daughter can’t wait from one year to the next for the camp to begin.
Brianna Gelinas, 14, of Farmington took a short break with the rest of the group before more dance lessons on the baby freeze move.
She looks forward to come to the summer camp, she said.
“I like the experience of being able to work with more professionals and just learning the moves,” she said.
Dancing is one of her big hobbies and is a passion for her.
Her friend Anthea Fletcher, 16, of Farmington said she has come every year of the program. This is the sixth year.
“I get a heck of a workout and add a little flavor to my life,” she said.
Noah Burgess, 13, of Phillips is in his fourth year.
“It’s good. You learn to dance. You learn to fence. It’s fun,” he said.
dperry@sunjournal.com

B-Boy Float, front left, teaches break dance steps Tuesday at City Lights North on Broadway in Farmington, on the second floor of the former State Theater building. The classes being held this week are free to children in Maine and will result in a performance Friday, July 3. Participants are still welcome.

Brianna Gelinas, 14, of Farmington, left, and Anthea Fletcher, 16, of Farmington watch themselves on a mirrored wall Tuesday as they learn break dancing under the guidance of B-Boy Float, also known as Floatski, at City Lights North performing arts center on Broadway in Farmington. The weeklong camp is free to children in Maine and will result in a performance Friday, July 3. Participants are still welcome.

B-Boy Float, also known as Floatski, right, demonstrates break dance steps Tuesday at City Lights North on Broadway in Farmington. The classes this week are free to children in Maine and will result in a performance Friday, July 3. Participants are still welcome.

B-Boy Float, also known as Floatski, right, teaches Park Laflin, 10, of New Vineyard a baby freeze break dance  move Tuesday at City Lights North, a performing arts center, on Broadway in Farmington. The classes being held this week are free to children in Maine and will result in a performance Friday, July 3. Participants are still welcome.

B-Boy Float, also known as Floatski left, teaches Riley Laflin, 13, of New Vineyard a baby freeze,  break dance move during a summer camp Tuesday at City Lights North on Broadway in Farmington, on the second floor of the former State Theater building. The weeklong performance arts camp is free to children in Maine and will result in a performance Friday, July 3. Participants are still welcome.