Claire bootscoots stereotypes out the window

With fellow line dancing friend Kate Strong, Claire spent nine months on the road for Hoedowns for County Towns, travelling 45,808 kilometres, hosting 75 hoedowns, and raised $38,250 in donations for seven rural charities.

"I think it was always our plan that once we got home, we would do line dancing as a job one way or another," she said.

"After that year on the road, it became incredibly clear that line dancing is a pretty fantastic way to bring communities together.

"We visited a lot of towns in 2022, but the calls for more line dancing have kept on coming since the trip concluded, hence the reason for starting Footloose Fun."

Footloose Fun is a line dancing teaching service for rural and urban areas.

Claire said, like HFCT, she would deliver upbeat, energetic line dance teaching, where enjoyment was always more important than "getting the steps right".

"I want to throw the stereotypes out the window when it comes to my classes," she said.

"Line dancing isn't also just for old people, it's not just about country music, and you can do it anywhere.

"One thing we noticed on the trip, was line dancing was loved by everyone, regardless of age, background, or dance ability.

"We had so many people comment that they liked how we were a mix of modern and country - our classes definitely weren't the slow, traditional music and steps."

Claire said while she planned to set-up a regular class somewhere in Adelaide, where she is based, the ex-Stock Journal alumni is also very keen to get back out into the regions.

"I'm still a journo by day and a line dancing teacher by day and night," she said.

"I love both equally, as they both involve meeting people out in the regions."

She already has a stand alone event in Eudunda on April 13, organised by the Eudunda Show Society.

"I am willing to travel to existing events (such as country towns or rodeos), private functions (eg workplace functions or hens' parties) or work with communities, committees and schools to organise line dancing events," she said.

"I just love teaching line dancing, especially seeing those people who are very cautious about giving it a go - they always end up never wanting to stop!"