U.S. Fencing Demographics

[lizardcity]

I would like to invite members to comment, address, and correct via citation the most current 'U.S. Fencing Demographics' provided as of the 2001-2002 season. Thanks in advance.

Marty

http://www.tacomafencing.com/demographics.htm

[Psi Shadowdark]

16,500 ehh, i wish there were more of us =0

[fence1848]

I think it's important to remember that the numbers listed are only those who are USFA members (since that's the only way USFA has to track them). I guarantee there are tens of thousands more people who have fenced before or only fence non-competitively. My old club in Virginia had about 120 or so USFA members, but probably 1000+ people overall who have fenced before.

[jspierre]

I think the 13-39 age group needs to be split. My guess is that the median age group is going to be around 21-24. That is, half the fencers are below, and half above. If so, it's kind of striking since there's probably a larger component of the 25-Vet level fencers in the demographics than you'd guess. That would suggest that this group, espy as it grows, needs to be retained for the health of the sport, financially and even skill-wise.

[haggis]

16500 from a population of 250 million(?). Not many is it. Still, a figure I heard the other day was that Poland only has 2000 fencers and they produce a huge number of world class fencers. Quantity isn't everything.