The Venue
The venue: MSA Sports Spot Address: 3701 32nd St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512
The total area is 84,000 sq ft Ample free parking parking Separate room for bags and warm-up 34 grounded strips This year, the venue will be dedicated to the fencing competition for all three days. The venue has plenty of space and unlimited free parking.
We Promise
Start all events on time within 20 minutes after closing registration.
There were no delays before and between rounds and no flighted events.
Highly skilled Bout Committee staff and highly ranked & licensed National and International referees
Tournament Schedule
All times are Close of Check-in - you should arrive at least 60 - 90 minutes ahead of time to check in, check equipment, and warm up. It would be best to be age-verified with USA Fencing or have proof of age (birth certificate or passport) and show your membership card at check-in.
Grand Rapids ArtPrize 2023 – the 13th year of the international art competition
Tournament Corporate Sponsors:
Premium:
Gold:
GRMI Logistics Corp
Bark Busters Grand Rapids LLC
GRAFA Families Sponsors:
Payne family
Debbie Laverty\Fortune family
Blaesing\Miller family
Dr. Chung's family
While the participants are working on the travel and competitions schedule, we recommend that you plan to spend extra time in Grand Rapids, visiting ArtPrize 2023 – the 13th year of the international art competition – which takes place September 14-October 1, 2023
Tournament T-shirts To get your name printed on the back of the tournament t-shirt, one must register during the regular entry deadline
Start times of events are subject to change to maintain load balancing. We will notify all fencers if there is any change in start times. Could you check your email and the registration page for changes in start times? We are only responsible if you arrive on time for your event. We plan to start all events within 20 minutes of closing check-in times. We strongly encourage you to keep your entire day flexible until the final close-of check-in times are posted.
Check-In
The venue opens at 6:30 a.m. every day during the competition. We recommend that you arrive at least 1 hour before the check-in close.
Proof of current USA Fencing membership. If the fencer still needs to be a member of the membership expires, a fencer must complete and pay for the USA Fencing membership at the door. To use the Auto Check-In feature, all fencers must have a USA Fencing membership card or a readable copy. Fencers are to present proof of age: Original or copies of birth certificate, passport, or driver's license, unless the USA Fencing membership card has "Birth year is Verified " noted on the card. Fencers must check in every day they compete. To enroll or renew the required membership to USA Fencing, click here: https://member.usfencing.org/
Age Eligibility
Y8 = 2015-2018
Y10 = 2013-2016
Y12 = 2011-2014 (or on Y10 NRPS)
Y14 = 2009-2012 (or on Y12 NRPS)
CADET = 2007-2010 (or on Y14 NRPS)
JUNIOR = 2004-2010 (or on CADET NRPS)
ROC = Born in 2010 or earlier (or on Junior NRPS)
Helpful links
RYC Questions: https://www.usafencing.org/ryc-resources
RJCC Questions: https://www.usafencing.org/rjcc-resources
Age and Classification Chart: https://www.usafencing.org/age-classification-eligibility
Current Point Standings: https://www.usafencing.org/current-point-standings
Registration and Event Fees: The timeline is listed at the top of this page to the right. No exceptions to late fees will be made for inability to register within stated deadlines.
Refund policy: Registration and administration fees are non-refundable. All close check-in times are subject to change, and refunds will not be issued due to event time changes.
Refund requests must be received by the regular entry deadline listed above. Refunds can be requested by emailing sirkas92@gmail.com.
Refunds are processed a few days after the refund request is received and will be processed by USA Fencing National Office.
PLEASE BE AWARE The refund request must be submitted ONLY via email: sirkas92@gmail.com.
So that you know, no refund inquiries will be sent to the US National Office.
No refunds will be provided after the deadline, with no exceptions. The refund deadline is September 11, 2023
No refunds for No Shows or Withdraws during the tournament will be provided.
Equipment Check-In and Requirements:
The equipment check before competing is required and will open one hour before the first event. We also are open for this check on Thursday Night from 5 to 7 p.m. EST We will be checking the glove, mask, and body cords
Absolute Fencing Gear will be on-site to fulfill all your equipment needs with a full
Requirements:
Y8 & Y10 events can only use size 0 or 2 blade length All fencers MUST wear a plastron (underarm protector). All foil fencers wearing a chest protector must wear the FIE-required padded protector. These are necessary for females and optional for males. All fencers must wear knickers - no sweatpants will be permitted. Standard fencing uniforms cannot have any rips, tears, or holes. Socks must conform to the USA Fencing Association rules and cover the entire lower leg up to the knickers.
MAAPP USA Fencing Regional Events follow the SafeSport Code and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies, as the U.S. Center for SafeSport approved. Please carefully read through these policies before you attend the event: https://www.usafencing.org/maapp
Additionally, USA Fencing Regional events follow the codes of conduct set by USA Fencing. Please carefully read the codes of conduct for spectators, coaches, and members, as you will be expected to abide by these codes of conduct found here: https://www.usafencing.org/codes-of-conduct.
Tournament Staff
Tournament Director - Mikhail Sarkisov
Head Referee - Mark Stasinos
Bout Committee Chair - Maggie Newell
Head Armory - Brian Johnson
Hilton Garden Inn Grand Rapids East
Address: 2321 E Beltline Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 Phone: (616) 608-8800
The official name is “Third Coast Fencing Attendee Block.”
The rate will be $159 not including tax.
Breakfast is available for $15 Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast buffet on the weekends only.
Breakfast on Monday -Friday will be made to order from the restaurant. Prices range from $10 to $18, depending on what the guest orders.
There is also a $10 cold continental breakfast buffet offered every day.
Breakfast hours during the week are 6 am to 10 am.
Breakfast hours for Saturday and Sunday are 7 am to 11 am.
Your current registrations for this tournament are listed here along with their status.
Tournament Menu
Only signed in users can register for events.
Sign InFriday, September 22
Saturday, September 23
Sunday, September 24
USA Fencing regional events follow the codes of conduct set by USA Fencing. Please carefully read the codes of conduct for spectators, coaches and members.
USA Fencing regional events follow the SafeSport and Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies as approved by the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
Please direct all inquiries to this contact information.
Important dates and upcoming deadlines.
All times are Pacific Standard Time (PST).