Season 2, Episode 15
Guest: Eric Soyka — National Parafencing Coach, USA Fencing; Coach at Phoenix Center & Rogue Fencing Academy
What we cover
Origin story: two injured athletes, one suggestion—“try parafencing”—and a deep dive into rules, video, and best practices
How far we’ve come: more media, more youth, and athletes sticking after the Games
Inside the club: fitting a frame into a small space, building a culture of inclusion, “it’s just fencing (sitting down)”
Paris 2024 lessons: qualification is the grind; the Games feel like a (very grand) world cup if you stick to process
Parafencing 101: same tactics, tighter distance, different angles; no passing, constant readiness; what’s actuallydifferent—and what isn’t
Myth-busting & classification: A (more trunk control), B (less), C (arm/hand limitations; worlds only), and why some parafencers can walk
Building a club program: frames, chairs, recruiting, coach ed, referee pathways
Looking forward: increasing camps, cross-country training, and international collaboration as the qualifying cycle begins
How to start a parafencing program (quick hits)
Equipment & setup
Frame: lock chairs safely (wood frames like Rick Swauger’s design work; ask about grants/lending programs)
Chairs: sport-specific; typical cost $3k–$5k (seek grants like Challenged Athletes Foundation); ask Utah Fencing Foundation about distributing “Jed’s Chair.”
Fit a frame into unused margins of your space; keep AB fencing running around it
Recruiting
Contact local VA programs, rehab hospitals, adaptive sports orgs; lean on word of mouth in the disability community
Start for the community, not just the Games—rec athletes count
Coach education
Basics are the same: extension is extension; “lunge” is trunk-driven; target/angles & distance management are the real adjustments
Eric will travel/advise; USFCA is developing resources
Referees
Contact Sean Shumate for the course; observations at Para NACs/para regionals are expanding (in-person and potential Zoom coursework)
Contacts
Program start: email [email protected] and [email protected] so we can help and connect you locally
Development priorities (per Eric)
Grassroots: frames/chairs access, frame lending, coach visits, club start-up support
High performance: travel support and more frequent training camps (domestic & international), athlete meet-ups to raise daily training level
Warm-up ideas (for para & AB fencers)
BlazePods / reactive drills for neuro + physical activation
Vector ball (color-react bounces) for quick decision and hand-eye
Timestamps
0:00 — Parafencing’s pressure-cooker distance
1:04 — How Eric found parafencing (and why he stayed)
3:08 — Visibility and youth pipeline growth
4:49 — Making a small club para-friendly
6:33 — Paris ’24: the real gauntlet is qualifying
10:30 — Similarities/differences: tactics, angles, distance, passing
13:08 — Classifications A/B/C & a common myth
15:19 — Obstacles for clubs: frames, chairs, recruiting—and solutions
22:56 — Coach/ref pathways: USFCA, Para NAC courses, observations
27:17 — The plan for LA → Brisbane: camps, access, collaboration
29:56 — What GB (and Europe) have—and how we can adapt in the U.S.
34:43 — Quick hits: where $100k would go, who to email, a go-to drill, one myth to retire
Quotable
“Parafencers are fencers. It’s the same.” — Eric Soyka
“Qualification is harder than the Games—it’s month after month of performing, recovering, and doing it again.” — Eric Soyka
Call to action
If your club is ready to add parafencing, email [email protected] and [email protected] to get connected to frames, chairs, grants, coaches, and referee courses.
Credits
Host: Bryan Wendell • Guest: Eric Soyka
