COMPETITON SCHEDULE

Please refer to the calendar below for our most up-to-date competition schedule. Please click on an event to get more details, such as location and ages offered per event. A table with abbreviations and age groups is listed below for reference. A competition quick-prep guide is at the very bottom.

Spreadsheet Version of Competition Calendar:

Click here to view the spreadsheet directly in Google Drive.

 Age and Classification Categories

  • Age Categories

    • Y8 - Youth 8 - Born 2016-2018

    • Y10 - Youth 10 - Born 2014-2017

    • Y12 - Youth 12 - Born 2012-2015

    • Y14 - Youth 14 - Born 2010-2013

    • CDT - Cadet - Born 2008-2011

    • JNR - Junior - Born 2005-2011

    • SR - Senior - Born 2011 or Earlier

      • Senior is used for all “division events” such as Division 2 (DV2) or Open/Division 1A (D1A)

    • VET - Veteran - Born 1985 or Earlier

USA Fencing awards ratings to fencers based on the strength of a competition and how they place. All fencers start as unrated (U) and ratings go from E up to A. These ratings are used for seeding in pool rounds. Ratings may only be earned at events cadet and older.

  • Classification Categories

    • DV1 - Division 1 - C and Above

    • DV2 - Division 2 - C and Under

    • DV3 - Division 3 - D and Under

    • D1A - Division 1A - Open to all fencers

Note that classification events, such as Division 2, are always restricted to fencers eligible to fence senior events, year as denoted above.

Event Abbreviations

  • NAC - North American Cup - Large national competitions held and organized by national office with rotating events.

  • SYC - Super Youth Circuit - Medium-large national competitions held by local organizers for Y10, 12, and 14.

  • RYC - Regional Youth Circuit - Medium regional competitions held by local organizers for Y10, 12, and 14.

  • RJCC - Regional Junior and Cadet Circuit - Medium regional competitions held by local organizers for junior and cadets. Sometimes only one appears, eg. RCC is a regional cadet circuit event.

  • ROC - Regional Open Circuit - Medium regional competitions held by local organizers for D1A, D2, D3, and VET categories.

If unsure on an abbreviation, contact us.

 Competition Quick Guide

Fencers are required to have the following items for competition:

  1. Fencing mask with conductive bib

  2. Underarm protector (plastron)

  3. Fencing jacket

  4. Fencing pants

  5. Socks which go up to the knee

  6. Shoes appropriate for fencing - no open toes, Crocs, etc.

  7. Fencing glove (no holes or tears, even small ones)

  8. If using a rigid chest protector, it must have the soft padding with FIE stamp

  9. Two (2) working foils - suggested to have three or more

  10. Two (2) working body cords - suggested to have three or more

  11. Two (2) working mask cords

Fencers should arrive at a minimum of 60 to 45 minutes before the close of registration. Please discuss with your coach for each specific tournament. When arriving early, fencers have the following responsibilities:

  1. Register or check-in with the event organizer and pay any fees.

  2. Go to equipment control to test all necessary items.

  3. Weight test all the foils brought for the day. Not just your favorite, but each one that works!

  4. Warm up, stretch, and do footwork. Follow your favorite routines from class for each.

  5. Fence warmup bouts with club mates and other fencers at the event. Just ask, they’ll fence you!

  6. Leave enough time for anything unexpected:

    1. Broken equipment that needs repair.

    2. Changing into fencing uniform.

    3. Using the bathroom.

    4. Traffic jams.

    5. Being sleepy, alien invasion, watching TikTok/checking Insta, etc.

Please ensure you have enough time to do all of the above. Forty-five minutes is the bare minimum for small competitions. You will want to leave more time for larger competitions. Please reach out to your coach if you have questions!

Fencers must also come prepared with nutrition and hydration. We suggest the following:

  1. A gatorade or similar sports drink with some carbs and electrolytes. Drink half during warm-up and the other half during pools.

  2. Moderately dense nutrition such as bars, hearty trail mix, and/or fruit. Eat lightly throughout the competition.

  3. A few sugary snacks for emergencies. Eat when energy levels are dipping down.

  4. If the competition lasts all day or you have multiple events on one day, a light lunch and/or dinner. Eat between events.

  5. A bottle of water that can be refilled throughout the day.

A fencer with proper nutrition and hydration has energy for all of their bouts and has the best chance to avoid cramping.