How to take you and your fencing bag safely to a competition

Are you a fencer who will fly? If so, then you should consider a few tips to make your trip as smooth as possible. We learned in kindergarten that planes, buses, and cars are different modes of transportation. However, as adults we need to consider some of the logistical differences before packing our fencing gear before we fly. If you’re flying to another region, another country, or another continent, here are a few steps to help make the experience as smooth as your fencing moves:

1. Buy the right fencing bag

Buying the right fencing bag for you can be more difficult than it seems at first. You have many options to consider, including:

color

durability

features

Size

· style

To help narrow down your options, be sure to consider your particular needs. As a general rule, you should select a large wheeled fencing bag, if you are going to fly to a fencing competition. Such a bag will be able to store your sword(s), protective equipment and anything else you need for your trip. A practical matter to consider is that transporting all that equipment will be quite heavy! Therefore, choosing a fencing bag with wheels will make it easier to transport the bag.

2. Consider packing your gear in a hard-shell travel case

One of the hassles of flying is having to pay airline baggage fees. Airlines may charge you if your baggage exceeds the maximum weight allowance. However, if you are flying exclusively to a fencing meet, you probably won’t have much luggage other than your fencing gear and enough clothing to last you a week or two.

However, the problem is that airlines tend to charge extra for baggage that exceeds certain dimensions. The dimension applies to the length, width or height of the baggage. Considering the length of the fencing swords, it is very likely that they exceed the maximum length of an airline’s luggage.

The good news is that airlines allow an exception in baggage dimensions, for golf travel bags. Unfortunately, soft fencing cases are not (yet) included in this exclusion. Therefore, if you travel with your fencing equipment a lot, then you should consider purchasing a golf travel hard case. This will allow you to avoid excess baggage charges. Keep in mind, however, that if you still exceed the airline’s maximum baggage weight, you’ll still have to pay some sort of fee.

3. Check that your fencing equipment is completely secure in your luggage

This is important to prevent your fencing equipment from getting destroyed while flying towards your competition’s destination. Double-check everything before the airport processes your baggage, to make sure all your gear is secure in your bags. Fencing equipment is an expensive thing to replace!

When you fly to a fencing competition, be sure to follow these tips above. It will help ensure that you and your fencing team reach your destination safely. Then you can focus on your main goal: winning the competition!