I remember when someone told me that West Coast swing was the California state dance. This was some time ago, and I pondered why it was the state dance then I found out that it originated in the Los Angeles area among the swing dancers who started dancing the Lindy hop and East Coast swing in a more smooth style.
I danced with some of the first dancers of West Coast swing, who were still dancing in the seventies when I started dancing. They mixed up their swing with lots of movements that are done these days by Lindy hoppers, Balboa dancers and East Coast swingers. They did a lot of twists, swivels and kicks. Also, their posture was not standing tall but somewhat hunched down, very grounded. The thing that still stands out for me is the amazing leads they had. There wasn’t any doubt what they wanted you do when you danced with them. Later, in the eighties when a group of dancers brought back the Lindy hop, they tried to keep it vintage but it started transforming again and in L.A. there was Hollywood style and L.A. style Lindy hop which resembled West Coast swing. Anyway, I guess it all makes sense now why they made the West Coast swing the state dance. West coast swing San Diego style is a true mix of classic and contemporary styles of swing.