It is with great regret that we must inform you that our Honorary WDC Vice-President and former WDC Social Dance Chairman, Dipl. VW, Dipl. TM Ferry Polai passed away on the 11th January 2026 at the age of 81.
Ferry Polai had to flee his homeland of Hungary at an early age. He studied economics in Innsbruck, successfully completed his dance teacher training at the Schücker Dance School, and soon thereafter opened the Polai Dance School in Innsbruck together with his wife Waltraud.
Together with his wife Waltraud, he was also a successful competitive dancer and multiple national champion in Latin American dances, later becoming a coach to many successful couples. As President of the PTVÖ, The Austrian Professional Dancers Association, he was responsible for promoting professional dance sport for many years. He organized world championships within the WDC and was the co-inventor of the famous World Masters, and served as MC at numerous major competitions.
For many years, he guided the fortunes of these organizations as Vice Chairman of the Competitive Dance Committee and Chairman of the Social Dance Committee.
As a member of the specialist committee of the Chamber of Commerce, he represented dance schools in the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) for many years.
However, merely listing his activities does not do justice to his impact. With his energetic personality, Ferry was a driving force behind many innovations—whether in the field of dance and health or in the revision of codes of conduct. He was a role model for many colleagues and, above all, a visionary, often far ahead of his time.
Ferry pursued his goals with persistence, sometimes forceful in his arguments, yet at the same time always ready with a joke and up for any fun.
Ferry, you will always remain in our memory as a highly respected colleague, dance teacher, and friend.
The WDC President and Board and all Officers and indeed the WDC dancing community would like to extend their deepest condolences to his wife Waltraud and his daughter Julia.
