Glyn Dwfn has Youth Combat!
Youth Armored Combat (YAC) is available for children ages 6-17. Participants wear armor and wield padded foam swords in a kid-friendly version of adult armored combat. The program emphasizes courtesy, honor, and service as well as skill and safety. Boys and girls participate together, divided into three age brackets:
Division 1 “Lion:” ages 6-9
Division 2 “Griffin:” ages 10-13
Division 3 “Dragon:” ages 14-17
YAC equipment mostly consists of standard athletic gear such as elbow and knee pads, athletic cups for boys, hockey or lacrosse helmets, dirt bike armor, and hockey gloves, though all can be fabricated as well. Neck protection usually needs to be fabricated. YAC armor standards can be found here.
Detailed rules for YAC may be found here.
Youth Rapier Combat (YRC) is available for children ages 6-13. Participants wear minimal equipment and wield commercial plastic training rapiers in a kid-friendly version of adult rapier combat. The program emphasizes courtesy, honor, and service as well as skill and safety. Boys and girls participate together, divided into three age brackets,
Division 1 “Lion:” ages 6-9
Division 2 “Griffin:” ages 10-13
An Tir currently does not have a Division 3, but youth aged 14-17 can participate in adult rapier combat with parental consent!
YRC combatants wear commercial fencing masks, groin protection, and have requirements for protective clothing for torso and arms.
Detailed rules for YAC may be found here.
PAPERWORK:
Parents/Guardians must complete a Minor’s Consent to Participate and Hold Harmless Agreement before each combat activity. Families with multiple children can complete the Multiple Minor’s Waiver version for convenience.
Forms may be prepared in advance and brought to practice/events, or hard copies will be available from the Marshals.
SCHEDULING:
Our next YAC practice will be 04 September at Fighter Practice.
Our next YRC practice will be 28 August at Fighter Practice.
Practices are held in conjunction with Fighter Practices on Thursdays from 6-9ish. The plan is to alternate YAC and YRC each week as marshals are available until we move back to our indoor site in the Fall, at which point we’ll assess the winter youth combat schedule. Even if it’s not your child’s preferred combat form night, the park has a great playground, splash pad, and other kids are present to play with. Follow the Facebook Discussion Group here or the Martial Activities section of the forum here for updates.
A youth combat chat on Facebook Messenger also exists, and may be accessed by messaging Fel (Ben) and requesting to be added.