As the world is seemingly put on hold as we try as a society to flatten the impact of COVID-19 on our health care system, we can’t help but be amazed at the continued awesomeness that is coming from the ninja community.  Whether it is supporting local gyms through Gift Card or apparel sales, or just posting Instagram and Facebook workouts to keep everyone competition-ready once we are able to get back to the gym, the ninja community is showing just how amazing it is.  Here at FINA HQ, we are humbled by the support we are receiving from affiliate gyms and athletes, sending their support to ensure once things calm down, we will be able to pick back up where we left off.

With that, we have had no choice but to postpone all upcoming FINA events through April 30.  We know that the best way to protect ourselves and our loved ones is to Stay Home, and Stay Safe.  Rest assured however, that we will be working very closely with all of our affiliate gyms to reschedule impacted events for a time that is safer for everyone.

We are still 100% committed to finishing our inaugural season strong, with a World Championships this summer, and to continue to forge strong into season two with many exciting things in store!

We are constantly monitoring the spread of COVID-19, and will continue to keep you updated as details continue to emerge.

As the countdown to the fruition of our dream, passion, and vision drops to under 1 month, we can’t help but share our overwhelming excitement and gratitude with all of you who have believed in and stood along side us throughout the birth of FINA. The most common question we were asked, and are continued to be asked is, “Why another league”?

As a coach, I have seen 7 year old children thrive in the gym, achieve great belief in themselves because of obstacles they have conquered, only to see that confidence crushed the first time she or he competes because they went down on the first obstacle. The long car ride home filled with disappointment and dissatisfaction as a young child questions the sport they love and wonder if it is right for them.

As a parent, I have taken my daughter on road trips filled with excitement and anticipation, only to arrive and watch my daughter take inventory as to which top ninjas are at a competition and watch her optimism sink as she predicts her place before the competition even begins.

As a gym owner, I have put a competition together with a first obstacle that literally had someone drive 3 hours to compete and go out in 2 seconds. Sure he got to finish the course, but at what level of fun and vigor? A value I couldn’t provide.

As an athlete, I’ve traveled to many gyms affiliated within a same league, but encountered no continuity from gym to gym.
FINA has a vision. The seven year old doesn’t leave with tears, but with great hope and hunger for the next event because points were had, value was provided, and confidence was cultivated. A child doesn’t worry about who else is at a competition because FINA is athlete vs. the course, not athlete vs. athlete until the World Championships. World Championships are not overwhelming to any child because they did not qualify just by showing up. Everyone at The World Championships will have cleared a course or completed enough obstacles throughout the season and won’t feel like they don’t belong, as I’ve seen at so many finals events.

FINA believes that success is not measured in the making of money, but instead in making a difference. Our aim is for every FINA event to be a magic door that athletes of all ages feel better walking out of than when they walked in. Our aim is to continue what this great community is, and make it even better.

We thank and invite you all to celebrate with us as athlete, spectator or supporter November 2nd and 3rd. FINA is not the league of, “No. You are not ready to compete”, but instead, a league for both beginning athletes, and veterans of the sport to compete with and not against one another.