Salsa
Balsero
SalsaAdvancedCuban-CoreCuban
The rafter. A Sombrero that first sends the follow all the way around behind the lead's back.
This move builds: Frame & Lead-Follow Clarity …on the always-on five — Connection, Frame, Comfort, Posture, Consent.
- Entry
- open, cross-hand (two-hand), facing
- Exit
- open, L-to-R, facing
- Tempo
- medium
- Musical use
- accent/travelling
- Connector
- No
- Level
- Advanced
- Cluster
- Cuban-Core
- Style
- Cuban
What This Move Is
Balsero = "rafter" (the arms wave like signalling for rescue; coined in Miami). It begins like a Sombrero but the lead leads the follow all the way around behind his back — her right hand to his right shoulder by 7 — then spins her back to front and places the Sombrero, resolving via Dile Que No.
Key Points
- Lead: Get the follow far enough behind-and-left by 7 — a cramped wrap means short steps; keep steps measured.
- Follow: Circle fully around behind the lead, then be spun back to front into the "hat."
- Timing: Two 8-counts: travel behind on the first 8, Sombrero placement on the second 5-6-7, then Dile Que No.
- Common mistake: Not getting the follow far enough behind-and-left by 7 (cramped wrap); over-large steps.
Style Notes
A travelling Sombrero extension with a satisfying behind-the-back journey. Same-partner figure that resolves cleanly to basic.
Chains into
After this, you can flow into…