Philadelphia, PA (July 3-12, 2021) — You’ve qualified for the biggest fencing event in the WORLD?! Congratulations!
Most of you may have experienced NACs before, but this 10-day long fencing rampage is a ceaseless carousal of event after event.
For the uninitiated, here is what to expect from your first Summer Nationals:
The Cons:
Meals
Dinner is ALWAYS going to be an ordeal. Gangs of ravished fencing families, trying to eat at the same time as close to the convention center as possible? Plan ahead, eat early or make reservations even in small groups so you don’t wait hours. Alternatively, if you drove, use your car to get out of the city.
Referees
No one can be a full-time professional referee; they all have real jobs, and no one is going to take 10 days of vacation to officiate fencing. Top referees will only work the first half of the event and those who stay will be dead tired by day seven or eight after the days of stressful concentration. Large youth events will likely have a ref whose main weapon is not your own (saber refs often get put in foil and épée). Temper your expectations for referees and work with them, not against them. Be appreciative. Salute and thank them and remember, they are giving their time for far too little pay.
Equipment Check
With thousands of people coming through, the equipment check lines are going to be LONG! USA Fencing has announced specific check times for each event. Plan for it to take at least an hour and ideally get all your items (cords, lamé, mask, glove) in one go. Fortunately, once everything passes, the inspection is good for ALL events at Summer Nats, so no rechecking.
The Pros:
The Location
Compared to SOME of the random places we venture to for events, Philadelphia is a splendid city (and close for us). Take advantage of the historic town and get out to see history, culture, and fun. If you have days off between events, enjoy leisure time beyond the fencing venue.
The Magnitude
Prepare to experience the most immense fencing event in the world. Rather than just be a passerby, stop to watch other matches and weapons. Realize that you’re part of this tremendous competition. It really is impressive how many tiny cogs are constantly turning to keep this massive machine smoothly running.
Easier Pools
Perhaps the most important one for all fencers – our region is UNQUESTIONABLY the most difficult one to compete in. If you can survive pools at the regional level, the national level should be a walk on the beach. There will always be a top fencer in your pool, but the field will be severely watered down by the rest of the country. The best fencers in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut can’t be touched by the best ones in Alaska and Missouri.
The countdown to Summer Nats has BEGUN! Get in your last practice sessions so you can hit the ground running (or advancing)!
Zack Brown is an A-rated saber fencer who was ranked 9th in the country during the 2016 Olympic year. He has competed in several World Cups and Grand Prix. Brown is also an FIE-rated referee and international medalist coach. Brown is a graduate of Rutgers University where he was a collegiate champ for three years.
