League City to host spring fencing tournament

The Rogue Fencers Guild will hold its annual spring fencing tournament Feb. 7 in League City with mixed epee events for youth, seniors, veterans, and blind fencers.

Competitors from several age groups will participate in mixed epee events at the Rogue Fencers Guild's annual spring fencing tournament Saturday, Feb. 7, at 400 S. Kansas Ave. Fencers with USA Fencing Access Level memberships can enter the tournament. Fans can watch for free.

The event price is $20, and competitor registration is $20. The venue accepts cash, checks, and credit cards. USA Fencing allows online registration.

Officials said the tournament will have divisions for youngsters, seniors, veterans, and blind fencers, giving fencers of all ages and abilities a chance to compete. The senior and Y12 mixed epee competitions start at 8 a.m. In the afternoon, senior and veteran events will follow additional youth divisions around lunchtime. All fencers will advance to direct elimination rounds in round-robin pools. The Y10 division fences to 10 points, but the elimination bouts are 15 points. The Y8 pool fencing division will have two rounds, with no elimination.

USA Fencing equipment rules apply throughout the tournament. Y8 fencers must utilize 30.5-inch blade epees and reduce strips for safety and fairness. At Y10, epee blades cannot exceed 32.5 inches.

The Rogue Fencers Guild, which trains and competes in League City, said the spring event gives local and regional competitors an opportunity to compete in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. The tournament's only weapon, mixed epee, lets men and women fence under USA Fencing standards. Blind fencing gives visually challenged individuals a chance to compete.

Participants can register online through USA Fencing's AskFRED tournament registration system. On-site registration and payment will be available the morning of the event, though organizers urge pre-registration to aid scheduling.

Fencers will take to League City's strips on Feb. 7 for a full day of competition across divisions.