1-2 years based on how a kid picks things up. The longer a kid is left novice the longer you prevent him from being able to compete in top level open competition. However physical and mental handicaps should also factor in. Can you honestly tell me a kid with down syndrome who loves to come participate would be forced to go open after a time limit someone has set for them to be novice expires? Or what about the kid with 1 leg that loves to compete with little success? Do we demand that those 2 situations fall in the same criteria of time? Surely there must be exceptions a club can use common judgement on.
