COMPETITION

When can I start competing?

Our training program promotes students to intermediate classes when they are ready to compete. At this stage, students have the basic skills needed for safe competition. We may host tournaments for beginners, but they often lack the necessary gear and skills to compete effectively.

How are fencing competitions set up?

Events are organized by age but depend on the competitor’s birth year. This ensures a 10-year-old fencer does not compete against a 16-year-old. Check the current Age Class Eligibility chart using the above link to see which events your student can enter. Being eligible doesn’t mean it’s the best fit. Discuss with your coach about the right events for you.

Proficiency Levels?

Events are held by age, not by proficiency level. In other words, there is no beginner level event versus an advanced level event for a 12 year old. Instead, the proficiency level of the competition depends more on the TYPE of competition that is being held.

In-class tournaments start at the intermediate level. They are open to all class members, with no age or gender categories. A USA Fencing membership is not needed. These tournaments introduce competition rules and help instructors and students track progress.

The next step is in-house tournaments for WFA students only. Events are based on age, similar to other tournaments. For example, a 14-year-old new to the intermediate class might compete against a 14-year-old with 2-4 years of experience. Monthly practice tournaments started in September 2022 fall under this category. A competitive USA Fencing membership isn't required, but students should aim for the intermediate level or be close to it. Advanced beginners should check with their instructor about their readiness to compete. These tournaments help students become comfortable with competition, preparing them for higher levels.

Local tournaments take place at WFA or nearby fencing schools. An Access Membership with USA Fencing is enough to participate, but you must have your own gear. Events are organized by birth year and sometimes by gender. These entry-level tournaments allow students to compete against new opponents. There may be rank restrictions for fencers.

Regional tournaments include the RYC (Regional Youth Circuit), RJCC (Regional Junior and Cadet Circuit), and ROC (Regional Open Circuit). To compete, you need a Competitive USA Fencing Membership (or an equivalent) and your own fencing gear. Competitors earn points to rank themselves within our region. Events are divided by age, gender, and sometimes by fencer rank. Region 1 includes Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming. Most tournaments take place in Seattle, Bellevue, or the Portland, OR area.

National level tournaments include the SYC, SJCC, and NACs. You need a competitive USA Fencing Membership and your own gear to compete. Traveling within the US is usually necessary. Competitors earn National level points to rank themselves in the country for their events.

National Championships are the top competitions in the US for fencing. They include the Summer Nationals, July Challenge, and Junior Olympics (for Cadet and Junior competitors). Athletes must qualify to compete by earning regional or national points or by meeting specific event criteria. Strict rules govern the quality of protective gear for these competitions.

International Tournaments are events held worldwide, such as the World Championships and the Olympics. Competitors need to use top-quality protective gear (N1800) and must qualify to participate.

That being said, these categories are not absolute! There is nothing stopping an A rated fencer from fencing at a local level tournament!

My kid really wants to compete. Can I jump ahead and just sign up?

While not prohibited, we discourage this. Beginners haven't learned competition basics, electrical system connections, salute protocols, or rules, risking penalties without understanding. They may also lack fundamental techniques, leading to incorrect fencing habits.

What do you mean by “successfully compete?”

Competition involves more than winning; it's about recognizing strengths and weaknesses to enhance training. Success in competition stems from understanding expectations, demonstrating good techniques, identifying areas for improvement, knowing the rules, and applying training effectively. Lack of preparation can lead to an overwhelming experience that dampens interest in fencing. A successful competition should challenge abilities appropriately and support students in advancing their fencing journey. Competing at the right level with proper support is essential.

We are ready to compete, what all do we need?

If you or your student want to compete outside of WFA, follow these steps:

1. Talk to Coach Mark or Coach Angie. They will guide you on how to prepare for tournaments and suggest the right ones. They’ll also tell you if a coach will be available at the event.

2. You’ll need a complete set of competition gear, including a lame, multiple swords, cords, and an FIE approved electric glove (note that an electric cuff is not allowed).

3. You may need a Competitive Membership with USA Fencing for Regional events or higher. Visit the USA Fencing website to purchase or upgrade your membership. It lasts for the season and expires on July 31 each year.

I pay for monthly membership at WFA, isn’t that enough?

Unfortunately, no. Your monthly dues make you a member of WFA. USA Fencing is the national organization for fencers in the USA, and as such, you must be a member of USA Fencing to compete in any events that are sanctioned by USA Fencing (even if it is being held at WFA). Your USA Fencing membership number will stay with you whether you are a member of WFA, or if you move across the country. It is separate from your WFA Membership!

What can we do to prepare?

First and foremost, TRAIN! Come to class. Schedule some private lesson so that you can work on specifically what you need or on things that are specific to competition. Attend open fencing sessions where you practice competing. Read the info in our Comptition Info section so that you understand points and ranking and the best way to prepare for a tournament. Talk to your instructor.

How do we find tournaments?

We have a schedule of local, regional, and national events posted at the gym stairs and online. Tournaments in class happen the last week of each month, and there's no sign-up needed—just come to class on time. We aim to host in-house tournaments monthly, with events rotating. Check your event calendar by logging into your account or visit the Tournament Schedule page. Usually, sign-ups are through AskFred, where you can find or search for tournaments. Registration closes at the start of the tournament, but you can register at the door. Note that the mobile app does not support event registration, so use your online account instead.

For local tournaments, sign up at AskFred.net, a free Fencing Results and Events Database. When registering, include that we are in Region 1, Western Washington Division, and your school is Washington Fencing Academy. Narrow your tournament search to Seattle's distance and select "saber" as the weapon.

For regional and national tournaments, visit usafencing.org where you can find schedules and register online under the events tab. If you register, please inform us!

Can I borrow gear from the WFA to compete?

For in-class and in-house tournaments, we can provide equipment like lames, cords, electric masks, and electric cuffs. However, we suggest buying your own cords from WFA. This equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For local and larger tournaments, you need your own gear. The equipment at WFA is mostly for training and may not pass inspection at tournaments due to wear and tear. If you're missing something, please let us know, but ensure you have all your competition gear for outside events.

Where can I get more information?

We hold informational sessions either by zoom or in person each year. These will give you the opportunity to ask questions.

Head to the Competition Info section of our web page and read the information there.

Access the Athlete Handbook at USA Fencing. It’s long, but it has all of the rules for competition—from required gear to what techniques are allowed to how to get points and how to qualify for higher level competitions.

Talk to your instructor. You might need to set up an appointment if you have a lot of questions. We want to make sure that you are well informed, but if you are asking us between classes we might have a limited amount of time to answer all of your questions.

Talk to other parents who have students that compete. They will have a wealth of information from the parent perspective that we might not think to pass along as coaches. See if their students are attending the tournament that you are looking at. Tournaments are more fun if there are people there you know!