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The very popular intermediate move, Montaña, was earlier often called Ochenta, but since Montaña is a much better name, resembling the arm movements of the move, making it much easier to remember, Ochenta, “80”, is free as a name for some other move.

I just stumbled upon a brand new move called Ochenta, published three days ago by “Grimaldidance”, Spain, 2019. The best new move I have seen for a long time. This is my type of move: advanced but simple, relaxed and elegant.

The new Ochenta starts with a walking Vuelta right turn on 5-6-7, a so-called Habanero turn. It is unusual because the turn is lead with the Lead’s right hand but with normal right to left handhold. For that to work, the Lead must release the Follow’s right hand as she turns, and pick it up again at the end of the turn.

For the next count of eight we have a Rodeo with beautiful arm movements, then a two handed Vacilala and a “crown” to the Follow, and the move ends with a standard Exhibela turn. Instead, just my choice, I would probably continue the two handed Vacilala with a two handed Habanero, pause for 1-2-3 and continue with the Complicado part of Noventa.

Old Ochenta versions

We have several other moves called Ochenta but it is difficult to find more than one video of each, that is, they are not “established” moves. I will show the two old “80” moves, I find the most interesting. They are ok as is, but one could also make them longer and more demanding, when the music and a strong Follow ask for it.

Video 2 is from “The Rueda Project”, Montreal, Canada, 2015. The move starts with a rare cross handed Hammerlock, using the start of Sombrero for “Setenta”. Next we have a right-to-right handed Enchufla to get out of the Hammerlock.

As the Enchufla ends, the Lead drops the Follow’s Enchufla hand and picks it up again under the other arm as he steps under it (rare). Next the Lead gives the Follow a rare left turn on one, and change hands again and goes into Dile Que No.

Why not try this: After the rare left turn on 1-2-3, and shifting hands back to normal, the Follow is well positioned to continue with a Coca-Cola left turn on 5-6-7 and even a double Coca-Cola turn?

Video 3 is from “Passion Cubana”, Sava, Italy, 2015. These people are dedicated “back rockers” but they dance very well at the end of the video. I like the first count of eight of their “80” move.

It starts with a two handed Habanero turn (a walking Vuelta right turn), and as the Lead’s right arm is turned around the Follow’s neck, the Lead put his left hand at his shoulder on six and turns himself left on seven, getting first his right arm out and next the left. Elegant arm movements when done properly.

The next count of eight is a traditional two handed Enchufla with a Lead’s Hook turn on 5-6-7. The end is just a simple Enchufla and DQN.

Somehow the first two counts of eight match one another in a perfect two handed sequence that in my opinion should be prolonged with even more two handed moves like a two handed Exhibela/Sacala instead of the Enchufla.

The Italian Lead apparently thinks the same because at the end of the video, he suddenly adds three extra counts of eight, repeating the two handed Enchufla and Hook turn again and again. Repetition is often a good idea.