SoCal Swordfight 2027

Participant Waiver, Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement

Event Dates: March 19–21, 2027
Event: SoCal Swordfight 2027
Location: Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center, Pomona, California

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

In consideration for being permitted to register for, attend, participate in, volunteer at, compete in, spectate from restricted areas of, or otherwise take part in SoCal Swordfight 2027 and its associated activities (collectively, the “Event”), I acknowledge and agree as follows:

1. Nature of the Activities and Assumption of Risk

I understand that SoCal Swordfight involves Historical European Martial Arts (“HEMA”) and related activities, including but not limited to fencing, sparring, drills, tournaments, instruction, demonstrations, use of training weapons and equipment, physical conditioning, and other martial arts or athletic activities.

I understand that participation in these activities involves inherent and other risks, both known and unknown, that may result in serious bodily injury, illness, permanent disability, paralysis, death, emotional distress, or property damage.

These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Being struck by training weapons, equipment, or other participants;
• Falls, collisions, slips, trips, and impacts;
• Cuts, bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, eye injuries, and other traumatic injuries;
• Equipment failure or improper use of equipment;
• Actions or inactions of other participants, instructors, officials, volunteers, staff, spectators, or third parties;
• Physical exertion, fatigue, dehydration, overheating, or other medical events;
• Conditions of the competition, training, staging, spectator, hotel, parking, or other Event areas;
• Risks arising from emergency response, first aid, transportation, or rescue efforts; and
• Other risks that may not presently be known or reasonably foreseeable.

I knowingly and voluntarily accept and assume all risks associated with my participation in or attendance at the Event, whether those risks are inherent in the activity or arise from the acts or omissions of myself or others, except to the extent liability cannot lawfully be waived.

2. Personal Responsibility and Fitness to Participate

I understand that I am responsible for determining whether I am physically and medically capable of safely participating in Event activities.

SoCal Swordfight and the Released Parties, as defined below, are not responsible for determining my fitness to participate.

I agree to:

• Inspect the facilities, competition areas, equipment, and protective gear that I use;
• Immediately notify an Event official if I become aware of an unsafe condition;
• Stop participating if I believe an activity, area, piece of equipment, or condition is unsafe;
• Follow applicable tournament rules, safety requirements, equipment standards, and instructions from Event staff and officials; and
• Use any additional protective equipment that I personally determine is appropriate for my safety.

I understand that minimum equipment requirements established by SoCal Swordfight do not prevent me from using additional protective equipment.

3. Release and Waiver of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by California law, I hereby RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE:

SoCal Swordfight, SoCal Swords, Los Angeles County Fair Association, Sheraton Fairplex Suites & Conference Center, and their respective owners, directors, officers, board members, employees, instructors, contractors, vendors, sponsors, volunteers, officials, judges, referees, agents, representatives, affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”)

from claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities, or expenses arising from or relating to my participation in or attendance at the Event, including claims arising from the ordinary negligence of a Released Party, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

This release includes claims relating to personal injury, illness, death, or damage to or loss of property.

Nothing in this Agreement is intended to release liability that cannot legally be released under applicable California law.

4. Responsibility for My Conduct

I accept responsibility for my own actions and conduct during the Event.

I agree to conduct myself in a manner that does not intentionally or recklessly endanger myself or others and to comply with Event safety requirements, tournament rules, staff instructions, and venue requirements.

If a claim is brought against a Released Party because of my own negligent, reckless, intentional, or otherwise wrongful conduct, I agree to be responsible for losses or damages resulting from my conduct to the extent permitted by law.

5. Code of Conduct and Event Rules

I acknowledge that participation in SoCal Swordfight is conditioned upon compliance with the SoCal Swordfight Code of Conduct, tournament rules, safety standards, venue rules, and reasonable instructions issued by Event staff or officials.

I agree to review and comply with the Code of Conduct and all rules applicable to activities in which I participate.

I understand that SoCal Swordfight may suspend or terminate my participation, remove me from an activity or the Event, or take other appropriate action if Event organizers determine that I have violated Event rules, safety requirements, or the Code of Conduct.

Removal from the Event for violation of Event rules or the Code of Conduct does not automatically entitle me to a refund.

6. Medical Treatment and Emergency Response

If I become injured or ill during the Event and am unable to provide consent, I authorize Event personnel to contact emergency medical services and to provide or arrange reasonable emergency assistance.

I understand that SoCal Swordfight personnel may not be licensed medical professionals and that any first aid or emergency assistance provided at the Event is intended only as immediate assistance until professional care is available.

I understand that I am responsible for medical expenses arising from my participation unless otherwise required by law or expressly covered by an applicable insurance policy.

I understand that the existence of any Event-related insurance does not guarantee coverage for any particular injury, expense, participant, or circumstance.

I am responsible for understanding my own health and accident insurance coverage.

7. Event Areas and Venue Risks

I understand that Event activities may occur in competition areas, training areas, staging areas, vendor areas, hotel facilities, parking areas, hallways, loading areas, and other portions of the venue.

Some areas may contain fencing equipment, weapons, cables, tables, temporary barriers, flooring, electronic equipment, staging equipment, or other hazards associated with operating a large martial arts event.

I agree to exercise reasonable care while present in Event areas and to comply with restrictions placed on access to designated staff-only, competition, equipment, or other restricted areas.

8. Photography, Video, Livestreaming, and Public Results

I understand that SoCal Swordfight is a public-facing event and that photography, audio recording, video recording, livestreaming, interviews, and other media production may occur throughout the Event.

I grant SoCal Swordfight and its authorized representatives permission to photograph, record, livestream, reproduce, publish, display, and otherwise use my name, likeness, image, voice, competition footage, tournament participation, and tournament results in connection with:

• Event coverage;
• Livestreams and archived broadcasts;
• Promotional and marketing materials;
• Social media;
• Websites;
• Educational materials;
• Historical or archival records; and
• Future promotion of SoCal Swordfight and related activities.

I understand that I will not receive compensation for such use.

I understand that tournament registrations, brackets, match information, rankings, and results may be publicly available.

9. No Guarantee of Results or Safety

I understand that SoCal Swordfight does not guarantee any particular outcome, experience, competitive result, level of instruction, or absence of injury.

Protective equipment, tournament rules, inspections, referees, instructors, safety procedures, and Event staff may reduce certain risks but cannot eliminate all risks associated with HEMA or martial arts activities.

My decision to participate is voluntary.

10. Participants Under 18 Years of Age

If the participant is under eighteen (18) years of age, this Agreement must be completed and accepted by the participant's parent or legal guardian.

By accepting this Agreement on behalf of a minor participant, the parent or legal guardian represents that they have authority to do so and agrees to its terms on behalf of themselves and the minor participant to the fullest extent permitted by California law.

The parent or guardian also acknowledges and accepts the risks associated with the minor's participation in the Event.

11. Severability

I intend this Agreement to be interpreted as broadly as permitted by applicable law.

If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified or severed only to the extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

12. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

13. Electronic Agreement and Signature

I understand and agree that this Agreement may be presented, acknowledged, accepted, and signed electronically.

My electronic acknowledgment, electronic signature, or affirmative acceptance of this Agreement is intended to have the same force and effect as my handwritten signature.

I understand that SoCal Swordfight may maintain an electronic record of my acceptance, including my name, date of acceptance, registration or order information, and the version of this Agreement that I accepted.

Participant Acknowledgment

BY POSESSING EVENT REGISTRATION FOR SOCAL SWORDFIGHT 2027, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT:

• I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY;
• I UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS;
• I UNDERSTAND THAT PARTICIPATION IN HEMA AND SOCAL SWORDFIGHT ACTIVITIES INVOLVES THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH;
• I VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATION;
• I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM RELEASING CERTAIN LEGAL CLAIMS, INCLUDING CERTAIN CLAIMS ARISING FROM THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED PARTIES;
• I UNDERSTAND THAT I AM GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS;
• I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS AGREEMENT; AND
• I ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.