I don't know how to spin dash . . . So I can't get past the first two minutes of the game. (Yes I did pick it up, but it didn't come with instructions)
Did you see the sign that says "A - Dash"? That is the instruction for an xbox 360 controller.
If you are using a mouse/keyboard, I apologize, I haven't yet set it up to switch the text based on the control method. On keyboard dash is on shift. You just press the dash button and it boosts you horizontally.