Rhythm and Soul on the Mediterranean: Inside the WDSF World Championships Caribbean Dances with Local Organizers Victor Valera and Maria Carratalá

As the autumn breeze sweeps across the coastal avenues of Alicante, the city prepares to host a major international gathering for the global DanceSport community. This coming October, the dynamic rhythms of salsa and bachata will fill the halls at VB Spaces, where dancers, delegations, and enthusiasts from around the world will converge for a defining showcase of Caribbean movement and artistry with the 2026 WDSF World Championships Caribbean Dances.

Directing this complex preparation are Victor Valera and Maria Carratalá, the key figures behind the local organizing team (CBE Fever Dance Alicante). Bringing a comprehensive programme featuring an expansive schedule of official World Championship titles to Spanish soil, Valera and Carratalá have spent months shaping a competitive environment designed to test high-level technical skill while celebrating the deep cultural roots of Caribbean dances.

Following their ongoing preparations, the WDSF team sat down with Valera and Carratalá to discuss the journey of bringing this global showcase to Alicante, the operational logistics of a multi-day multidisciplinary format, and what it truly takes to unite passion, community, and competition under one roof.

A Vision Realized on the Coast

Bringing a championship of this scale to Alicante is a major undertaking. For the organizing duo, seeing months of careful planning culminate in a premier arena carries a profound personal weight.

"For us, it is an enormous emotion," Valera and Carratalá reflect. "We have been working for a long time so that Caribbean Dances receive the recognition and the stage they deserve. Being able to bring dancers from so many countries to Alicante and see them compete for world titles turns years of work into something very real."

Yet, alongside the pride comes an acute awareness of the expectations resting on their shoulders.

"We also feel a great responsibility: we want every participant to feel part of a championship that matches their effort."

Managing a Complex Multi-Title Schedule

The upcoming edition introduces an ambitious agenda, packing a record-setting tally of WDSF world titles in Salsa and Bachata into a single, high-energy weekend. Managing such a diverse and crowded competitive structure under one roof required exceptional structural foresight.

"It has been one of the greatest challenges we have taken on," the organizers explain. "During four days, world championships, WDSF competitions, and national events will coexist, with ages, disciplines, and very different needs."

The secret to maintaining order on the floor? Detailed scheduling and steady cross-departmental alignment.

"The key has been working on the programme in great detail and constantly coordinating the sports, technical, and production teams. We want an event of this dimension to be clear and fluid for those who compete and for those who come to enjoy it."

Cultivating Community: Where Technical Precision Meets Expressive Soul

Caribbean Dances are driven by a distinct cultural energy, a balance between rigorous athletic discipline and unbridled, expressive soul. To capture that atmosphere within the VB Spaces venue, the layout and production were planned with proximity and connection in mind.

"We have designed the venue so that the competition is experienced up close," they note. "The dance floor will be the center of everything, surrounded by the public, with a staging that allows everyone to feel the music, the energy of the dancers, and every decisive moment."

Beyond the scores and the podium finishes, however, the human element remains paramount.

"At the same time, what happens off the floor matters to us: the encounters between delegations, the support of peers, and shared celebration. That community atmosphere is an essential part of Caribbean Dances."

Behind the Scenes: Navigating Operational Challenges

Hosting international delegations requires precise logistical coordination, from managing strict competition timetables to accommodating technical crews, judges, and visiting media.

"The biggest challenge has been fitting a very broad sports program with the needs of international delegations, officials, and audiovisual production into the same venue," Valera and Carratalá share.

Resolving these friction points demanded a proactive approach anchored in clear communication and reliable partnerships.

"We have addressed it by defining clear responsibilities and working closely with VB Spaces, technical teams, and our collaborators. Prior coordination is fundamental, but maintaining agile communication throughout the four days will also be key to responding to any adjustments."

Leaving a Lasting Footprint in Alicante

Alicante provides a striking Mediterranean backdrop for the international DanceSport community, but the organizers are focused on ensuring the event leaves a tangible, long-lasting cultural and economic impact on the city itself.

"We want Alicante to be much more than the venue of the championship," the organizers emphasize. "We are working with local institutions, businesses, and professionals so that they participate in its organization and so that the arrival of athletes, teams, and companions has a positive impact on the city."

The vision extends far beyond the final routines of the weekend.

"We hope to welcome visitors from far and wide, and we would like this experience to encourage them to discover Alicante and return. We also want to bring dance sport closer to the local public and consolidate the city as a meeting place for this international community."

The Final Chord

With preparations nearly complete, dancers, coaches, and passionate fans from across the globe are getting ready to travel to Spain. When asked what single emotion or message they hope visitors carry with them the moment they step through the venue doors, the organizers’ answer captures the true spirit of the sport.

"That they have arrived in a place where their passion for dance is understood and celebrated," they conclude. "We want every dancer to feel that their effort matters, that the public enjoys an exciting spectacle, and that everyone takes away the memory of having shared something special in Alicante."

Ultimately, Victor Valera and Maria Carratalá summarize their entire philosophy in a single thought:

"We want everyone, upon leaving the venue, to feel that Alicante did not just host a championship: it lived the dance with them."

You can follow the latest announcements, updates, and registration details via the official WDSF Caribbean Dances channels.

Rhythm and Soul on the Mediterranean: Inside the WDSF World Championships Caribbean Dances with Local Organizers Victor Valera and Maria Carratalá