THE TAMPA CHALLENGE RYC/RJCC

FROM THE ORGANIZERS OF THE ORLANDO CHALLENGE!!!

THIS TIME WE TAKE YOU TO BEAUTIFUL TAMPA BAY!!!!

(Just 20 minutes away from Busch Gardens)

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO INFORM TO ALL OUR FENCERS THAT OUR FRIENDS FROM BUSCH GARDENS HAVE AGREED TO OFFER ALL THE PARTICIPANTS OF THE TAMPA CHALLENGE A HUGE DISCOUNT (ALMOST 50%!) WHEN BUYING TICKETS TO ALL THEIR PARKS, JUST CLICK ON THIS LINK AND ENJOY!

https://buschgardens.com/tampa/special-offers/convention/

Come to amazing Sports Coast in Tampa Bay, participate in our National RYC (Regional Youth Circuit), RJCC (Regional Cadet Circuit) and qualify for the Summer Nationals.

All 3 weapons SABRE, FOIL & EPEE

Y-8, Y-10, Y-12, Y-14 & CADET.

(Y-8 fencers must register through askfred at the following link:

https://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=49675

OUR AMAZING VENUE

We are very fortunate to be able to host this event at the amazing Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex with a hall space of over 48,000 square feet to ensure comfort and safety. You can visit our venues webpage here: https://wiregrass-sports.com

EARLY EQUIPMENT CHECK

We recommend all fencers to come to early equipment check on Friday Feb 4th from 7 pm to 9 pm. We will check only Masks Gloves, (We will not be checking lames and body cords).

Organized by Sword Masters Club & Fencing Academy and Fencing For Success Foundation in Orlando.

• 5 minutes away from the Busch Gardens Amusement Park.
• Free parking.
• On site access to food & drinks.
• Absolute Fencing Gear will be present as the official equipment vendor

AGE GROUP DETAILS

Youth-10 (must be born between 20011 and 2014) Youth-12 (must be born between 2009 and 2012 or on the NRP list) Youth-14 (must be born between 2007 and 2010 or on the NRP list) CADET (must be born between 2005 and 2008 or on the NRP list) JUNIOR (must be born between 2002 and 2008 or on the NRP list)

You MUST have proof of age (copy of birth certificate or passport) and proof of current US Fencing competitive membership to compete (if your USA Fencing membership card is age verified, proof of birth date is not required).

Fencers are NOT permitted to fence in more than one event at the same time.

Bring all required gear including appropriate length socks! Y10 events require #2 blades

Tournament Schedule

Times listed are the close of registration time.

Doors will open at 7:00 A.M. Armory Check and Registration will open at 7:00 A.M.

Fencing should begin approximately 15-20 minutes after the close of registration for each event.

Saturday Feb 5th

• 8:00 AM - CDTMF
• 8:00 AM - Y10WS
• 8:00 AM - Y10ME
• 10:30 AM - JNRME
• 10:30 AM - Y10MF
• 10:30 AM - Y10WE
• 10:30 AM - Y14WS
• 1:00 PM - Y14WE
• 1:00 PM - Y14MF
• 1:00 PM - Y10MS
• 3:00 PM - JNRWF
• 3:00 PM - Y10WF
• 3:00 PM - Y14MS
• 5:00 PM - JNRWE
• 5:00 PM - Y14WF
• 5:00 PM - JNRMS
• 5:00 PM - Y12WS

Sunday Feb 6th

• 8:00 AM - JNRMF
• 8:00 AM - CDTWS
• 8:00 AM - Y14ME
• 8:00 AM - Y8MXE
• 11:00 AM - CDTWF
• 11:00 AM - Y8MXS
• 11:00 AM - Y12WE
• 11:00 AM - Y12MF
• 2:00 PM - Y8MXF
• 2:00 PM - Y12ME
• 2:00 PM - CDTWE
• 2:00 PM - Y12MS
• 4:00 PM - JNRWS
• 4:00 PM - CDTME
• 4:00 PM - Y12WF
• 4:00 PM - CDTMS

*** To enroll for the Y8 events, you must go to this link in askfred: TBD

This is a region 6 event, however fencers from all 50 states are welcome to participate. (Without earning regional points)

All events will be fenced as a single round of pools, followed by straight direct-elimination. Events with fewer than 4 fencers of one gender may be fenced mixed. Medals will be awarded to the top 4-8 finishers in each event. Trophies will be also awarded for the first place in each event.

Withdrawal/Refund Deadline

All refund requests must be received in writing by 11:59:59pm EST on , January 23rd, 2022. Please email info@swordmastersclub.com for your refund request. Registration and administrative fees will not be refunded, but event entry fees will be. Please include fencers name, membership number, and all events in which they are withdrawing from.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

At Sword Masters we appreciate the fencing community that has put their trust in us not only deliver an incredible fencing experience, but to do so in a way that's safe for them and their families. I want to take this opportunity to share with you how Sword Masters is committed to safely operating the Orlando/Tampa Challenge at one of the best venues in America.

This tournament is subject to Florida state laws and orders regarding COVID-19. We will adhere to such laws as they apply with changing circumstances. To such a purpose we are taking every step to keep everyone safe and have developed some Covid-19 guidelines, requirements and protocols. We ask that you read these carefully.

Health Measures

• The Tampa Challenge venue counts with several touch-less hand sanitizer stations throughout the complex for your convenience.
• Athletic trainer on site during all events.
• Changing completely on the floor is not permitted, please arrive ready to fence.
• Fencers are not allowed to touch the scoring machine, weights, ships, remote or scoresheets.
• Fencers must refrain from shaking hands after bouts or making any intentional physical contact.
• Fencers are not required to sign the score sheet or DE slips. They can check the results at www.fencingtimelive.com instead and report any error to the Bout Committee.
• In order to avoid crowds, we will not have screens with results at the venue, but live tournament results and tournament progress will be posted on Fencing Time Live.

Face Coverings

• Anyone inside the venue must wear face coverings at all times.

Physical Distancing

• The Tampa Challenge is fortunate enough to have partnered with a remarkable venue, the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex at the Florida Sports Coast, this top of the line, enormous and luxurious venue exceeds all expectation for safety and guidelines. Our enormous venue is more than 45,000 square feet to provide proper social distancing.

• Seating areas, in our amazing venue, will be modified to maintain physical distancing while still providing a great view of the tournament. Chairs will be placed on the floor in designated locations to allow for social distancing, It is not permitted to move the chairs from their designated position.

• No personal chairs or alternative seating options are allowed in the venue.

• Only one coach/parent is allowed to assist a fencer on strip during bouts. Coach/parent will stand in a clearly designated area at the end of the strip and will be instructed not to step out of this area until the bout ends. Violators will be escorted out of the venue. Fencers, please relay this information to your coach.

• We ask that coaches and parents refrain from shouting or screaming at fencers in order to keep a healthy and respectful environment for all the attendees.

Cleaning & Sanitation

To protect the health and safety of our guests sanitization of the building is cleaned and sanitized every day. The entire building, chairs, backboards, and common areas have been disinfected. This process will be repeated before the Tampa Challenge.

Sick Policies

We kindly ask you to stay home if you are feeling sick.

We are implementing contactless registration to keep you safe. Live tournament results and tournament progress will be posted on www.fencingtimelive.com

Given the size of our venue and the quality of organization of the Tampa Challenge we know this will be a safe, joyful and organized tournament that promises to be memorable for fencers and their families.

We will continue to monitor the latest information from health experts, local, state and federal authorities and USA Fencing and make the necessary changes to keep you safe and informed. We look forward to serving you at the Tampa Challenge, the happiest (and the safest) tournament on Earth!