Equipment is here

If you had anything in this month's equipment order, you can pick it up during any regularly scheduled practice.  If we need to arrange something sneaky, let me know and I'll be happy to aid and abet!

Speaking of regular schedules, IWFC is on its regular schedule through Thursday this week.  No fencing at all the week between Christmas and New Year's but then we're back to the regular schedule the first week of January.  New beginner, intermediate (foil), and youth classes all start that week, too!  What a great way to kick off a new year! Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.

Youth class note: The time is being pushed back an hour based on feedback I've had so far. We're still starting on Monday, Jan. 2, but from 4:00 5:00. 

Schedule reminder, odds and ends - 11 Dec 11

Remember, no fencing tonight or Monday!

Still looking for some gift ideas for your fencer? All sorts of club gear is available -- tees, socks, patches, water bottles, keychains, and more! Available at any club session or we can arrange a stealth hand-off or plain-wrapped parcel delivery.

There are lots of fencing-themed shirts, mugs, decals, etc. available at Pointed Comments. CafePress is giving out all sorts of discount codes and offers for the holidays so to make it easy for me to share those codes with you without annoying us all to death with email, voila! Pointed Comments now has a Facebook page. You can also get decals and shirts for both clubs there that aren't available from me directly, bonus! And there are plenty of non-fencing items as well so go look around -- maybe this will help you knock a few more names off of your shopping list.

Odds and ends:

Did you lose a book Thursday? A paperback was found just outside the salle. If your library's short a tome, check with me.

Quick fencing video of the day: The fencer on the left is Olympic skater Evan Lysacek making an advance lunge against Olympic saberist Tim Morehouse. In Tim's word's,'Pretty impressive form for a first time ever fencing!' Here's a little more from that same day.

Speaking of Olympic saberists, ever wonder what keeps Mariel Zagunis motivated? Check out this article on ESPN.com.

Order reminder, schedule notes - 7 Dec 11

Don't forget to turn in your equipment order by 10:00 tonight! This is the last club order of the year and goodies will arrive in plenty of time for the holidays. So if you want to sneak in a gift or two for your fencer...

Schedule notes:

• Poquoson: Due to work being done at the school plus the usual holiday stuff, Poquoson will not be meeting again until January 15. The last two beginner class sessions will be held January 15 and 22. But you don't have to go that whole time without any fencing! Remember, your monthly dues entitle you to attend the practices in Carrollton, too. If you're interested in ride-sharing (either driving or riding), let me know.


• IWFC part I: There will be no lessons or open fencing this Friday, December 9, through Monday, December 12. The regular schedule resumes Tuesday.


• IWFC part II: There will also be no lessons or open fencing Saturday, December 24, through Sunday, January 1.

Tournament notes:

• The Nightmare Before Christmas Open/Youth tournament is December 17 and 18 in Charlottesville and it's looking pretty good with 30 people signed up for saber and 53 each for foil and epee! In addition to the fencers who have pre-registered, some of you have told me you're thinking about going but haven't registered yet. If you are definitely going, let me know and I'll see you there!


• The Hangover Classic is January 7 and 8 in Richmond. This is a strong annual event and it's in a great venue (same place as last year). Absolute Fencing Gear will be there as well, making it a fantastic event both to compete in and to watch. Attention women fencers: You have the option of fencing in women's only events for all three weapons as well as in the mixed events!

Schedules and all sorts of other stuff - 30 Nov 11

All of the videos from the past two tournaments have been posted to our YouTube channel. Have fun! If you have video or pictures of your own that you'd like to share, feel free either to upload them to the clubs' Facebook pages or to send them to me for uploading.

With the holidays and such, the calendar's too broken up to offer December classes at IWFC. That means that evening slots are available for private lessons! So if you've been wanting some one-on-one work and daytime hours don't work for you, now's your chance! Times: Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00, Tuesday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 8:30. Call 238-3111 or email coach@iwfc.net with questions or to schedule.

How about some youth fencing? We're going to give it a go on Monday afternoons from 3:00 to 4:00, ages 7-9, at IWFC. Due to how chopped up the the calendar is for the next several weeks, we won't be able to start until after the first of the year but we'll start on January 2. Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to sign up your young fencer.

We have wifi! Just let me know when you want to get online (at either IWFC or PFC) and I'll set you up. (It's a limited data plan so save your heavy streaming for home, please. If we hit our quota for the month, that's it until next month.)

Phone number reminder: If you have me or the club in your contacts list, take a moment to check the phone number please. If the number you have ends in 3603, please delete it and replace it with 238-3111. (The 3603 number is going away and is no longer being monitored.)

Videos, orders, gift ideas - 25 Nov 11

The videos from the Halloween Open are up! I wasn't able to take video of any of our foilists (coaching comes first!) but I did get most of the final and semi-final matches in all three weapons. If you have video or pictures of the tournament you'd like to share, feel free to upload them to either club's Facebook page or send them to me and I'll post them for you. Up next, videos from last weekend's Thanksgiving Throwdown in Richmond...

The December equipment order goes in on Wednesday, December 7. Looking for gift ideas for your fencer? One of the many great things about fencers is that we're easy to shop for! More fencing stuff is almost always a good thing! If you need gift suggestions for your fencer, let me know and I'll toss some ideas your way. And fencers, you can visit Absolute's website and oh-so-casually print out things you want and leave them carefully scattered around the house -- or better yet, hand them to someone when they ask you what you want!

Club swag is also a great gift and you can get that from me at any practice session. There are club socks (black with IWFC or PFC down the sides in gray), tees, water bottles, patches, keychains -- all sorts of stuff! Supplies are limited on the tees so don't wait too long! And don't worry about your fencer finding out, I can help you sneak things around them.

Want 'fencing in general' stuff? Visit the Pointed Comments online store for all sorts of fencing-themed shirts, mugs, decals, etc. CafePress is running all sorts of discounts and sales from now through the end of the year so this is a great time to grab stuff! (Note: You can use this link to see items in an easy-to-view format but use the first link to actually purchase items in order to get the best price. Although they're the same items, CafePress only does the code-free discounted prices if you visit the store via the first link. Don't ask me why, I don't know either!)

Quick links - 22 Nov 11

Check it out! There's a fencing scene in the new Muppet Movie!

Meet Adrienne Jarocki, a former beauty pageant queen and champion ballroom dancer who is now aiming for the 2016 Olympics. Oh, and she's 16.

Two excellent YouTube channels for fencing videos: CyrusofChaos and FIEVideo. Fantastic stuff!

Thanksgiving schedule - 21 Nov 11

We're fencing as usual Monday and Tuesday evening but then we're taking a few days off for Thanksgiving! No fencing at either location Wednesday through Sunday but we'll pick up where we left off next Monday, the 28th.

A woo and two hoos! - 21 Nov 11

What a fantastic weekend! We had six fencers in four different events at the tournament in Richmond. Morgan started things off with a bang, taking a strong sixth in Saturday's saber. Alex and Raegan kept the ball rolling with their first-ever tournament appearances in the Y12 foil, looking like pros and doing us proud. On Sunday, Scott took third in the C and under foil, followed by Shane and Mark wrapping the weekend up in style in the novice foil. It was Mark's first-ever tournament outing and he very nearly pulled off the upset in his first elimination round! Shane brought the weekend to a grand close with an equally close elimination match of his own, finishing in third. Congratulations, everyone! Full results can be seen here and video will hopefully be hitting our YouTube channel over Thanksgiving. If you have photos or video of your own you'd like to share, feel free to upload it to either club's Facebook page (IWFC, PFC) or to send it to me to be posted.

Tournaments past and future, carpools here and there - 6 Nov 11

A big 'Way to go!' goes out to all of our fencers who competed in the W&M Halloween Open last weekend. Plus a huge 'Thank you!' for all the family and friends who came out to support them and to cheer them on. What a great weekend! We had five foilists competing on Saturday and it was the first time out for most of them. Everyone did a great job facing a wide variety of opponents and handled themselves well from beginning to end. As noted earlier, I heard a lot of great things about you from other fencers and refs. Well done, all! Full results are here and a few photos have already been posted to the IWFC Facebook page. If you have pictures of your own you'd like to share, you're welcome to upload them there or to PFC's Facebook page. Or if you'd rather, email them to me and I'll post them. Additionally, I have a few pics and some video that will be hitting our YouTube channel sooner or later.

So what's next? How about the Thanksgiving Throwdown November 19-20 in Richmond? There will be three different foil events, two of which are rating-restricted and one is limited to those whose first tournament was after November 19, 2010. Epee and saber will be fenced as well. Not enough options for you? Well, how about a foil event that's limited to fencers born between 1999 and 2002. Yep, some of you younger fencers can go out and play in this one too!

Now how about a bit of help attending practices or getting to and from tournaments? We're scattered all over Hampton Roads and sometimes a little help getting from here to there wouldn't go amiss. So! If you're interested in carpooling to practices or tourneys, let me know. Tell me if you'd like to drive, ride, or both. And if it's to PFC, IWFC, tournaments, or any combo thereof. I'll put likely matches in contact with each other so you can work out the details from there.

Ack! November! - 4 Nov 11

Didn't know November began with an 'Ack!' did you? I got caught up in the preparation for last weekend's tournament and forgot all about the November beginner class and order! But as they say, 'Better late than never!'

The beginner class will start next Wednesday, November 9. Due to the late start and the Thanksgiving holiday, it will end on December 5. The next beginner class after this one will be in January. Visit our fees and info page for details. Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to sign up.

The November equipment order will also go in on the 9th so you've still got time to turn in an order if you're wanting new stuff for the Richmond tourney on the 19th.

Stay tuned -- last weekend's recap, info on the next area tournament, and carpooling thoughts are up next!

Halloween schedule note - 30 Oct 11

I've been so caught up with the tournament this weekend that I forgot about Halloween itself until someone asked about it yesterday afternoon. Short version: No IWFC Monday night. Happy trick-or-treating, whichever side of the door you're on! See you Wednesday!

Speaking of the tournament, a full recap is coming but until then, let me just say that everyone did an outstanding job. I heard a lot of great comments from refs and fencers and I couldn't be prouder of you all!

All signed up, now what? - 25 Oct 11

You've joined USA Fencing and preregistered for the tournament. Now what?

• Make sure your equipment's in good working order and is ready to go. I'll be helping folks check over their weapons and cords during practice this week and at the tournament before things get started. Don't wait until Saturday or Sunday morning if you don't have to! The last minute is not the time to be doing it!


• Know where you're going and allow plenty of time for getting stuck in traffic, getting lost, that sort of thing. The tournament's being held in a different location this year: Adair Hall, 251 Ukrop Way. Per the W&M club rep, parking is available along Ukrop Way and Landrum Drive, in the parking garage on Ukrop Way, or in the lot at the corner of Ukrop Way and Landrum Drive. Parking is allowed in any space not designated 'reserved at all times.'


• As noted in the previous entry, plan to arrive no later than half an hour before the close of registration for your event. (The times listed on AskFRED are the close times so if your event shows 9:15, plan on being there by 8:45.)


• What happens at the tournament? The Division website has a quick 'what's what' page about tournaments that answers a lot of the questions fencers and parents ask before their first event. For a more detailed run-through, read How to Go to a Fencing Tournament. Yes, I know I keep saying 'read this' but nearly every question I've been asked over the past couple of weeks is answered in there -- and you don't have to deal with my 'attention deficit hey coach' disorder to get the answer!


• Most importantly, relax and have fun. This is going to be a great weekend!

Signing up for the tournament - 24 Oct 11

Although preregistering for a Virginia tournament is generally not required, it is appreciated by the tournament organizers so they have an idea of how many competitors to expect. Additionally, it can save you a little money! For the Halloween Open, if you preregister, the entry fee is $25 as opposed to $30 if you don't.

• Go to askfred.net. If you already have a login for AskFRED, sign in so the software can do some of the work for you. If you don't have a login, no worries, you'll get to set one up in a few steps. (The following steps will assume you do not have a login.)


• Bring up the tournament either by clicking here or use the 'Upcoming Tournaments' menu option to find the 'W&M Halloween Open'. (Upcoming Tournaments > Browse Tournaments, change 'All Divisions' to 'Virginia' then click 'Find Tournaments' to bring up the list of Virginia tournaments.)


• Click on the 'Preregister' link (or the box/checkmark icon) then enter your last name in the box.


• If this is your first official (non-club) tournament, you will not show up in the system and that's perfectly all right -- click on the 'Create a New Fencer Record' option to, well, create a new fencer record for yourself.


• Fill in the following screen. Please list IWFC as your club even if you primarily fence in Poquoson! (Remember, PFC is part of IWFC, not a separate club.) Your Division is Virginia and your ratings are U.


• Mark the event(s) in which you'll be competing. Note the time listed for each event -- this is when the registration desk closes at the tournament. Make plans to arrive at the venue at least thirty minutes before this time!


• Below the events you'll have options to create an AskFRED account and to be remembered for next time. Check one, both, or neither option, then click the 'Preregister' button. Make sure you print the page showing your preregistration information and bring it with you to the tournament.


• If you chose to create an account and/or to be remembered for next time, follow the screen prompts accordingly.

And lastly, making sure you've got everything squared away and ready to go. But that entry's going to have to wait until tomorrow later today, I'm afraid!

Joining USA Fencing or renewing your membership - 24 Oct 2011

To join for the first time ever:

• Click here or go to usafencing.org, click on MEMBERSHIP in the red menu across the screen, then click on 'click here to register online'.


• Select 'No' then click on the 'Join Now' button that appears.


• The next screen has fields for the standard demographic information and the like. Enter your (or your fencer's) name, address, etc. PFC fencers: Remember, list IWFC as your club!


• Once this screen is completed, click the 'Next >>' button. A box will appear announcing that your profile has been saved in the system. It will also show you your membership number, login, and password. Make a note of these for future use. Click 'Ok' when you're ready to continue.


• This screen is where you indicate what level of membership you want. The first option listed is the competitive (annual) option. The last option listed is the one-day membership. If you select this option, enter 10/29/2011 as the start and end date if you're fencing foil or saber on Saturday or 10/30/2011 as the start and end date if you're fencing epee on Sunday.


• Once you've selected the desired membership option, click the 'Next >>' button to continue. Read the Waiver of Liability and select the 'I agree to this release' option. Click 'Next >>' to continue.


• Enter your payment information then click the 'SUBMIT PAYMENT >>' button.


• Print your receipt and make sure to bring it with you to the tournament. If you went with a one-day membership, you'll also be directed to print out your one-day card. This MUST be presented when you check in at the tournament.

To renew your membership:

• Click here or go to usafencing.org, click on MEMBERSHIP in the red menu across the screen, scroll down to the 'Already a USA Fencing Member?' section, then click on 'click here' to continue.


• Select 'Yes' then click on the 'LOG IN' button that appears.


• Enter the email address and password you use for USA Fencing. If you forgot either your email address or your password, use the appropriate link on the screen for assistance.


• Note: If your membership expired prior to July 2010, you'll need to use the 'FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?' link on the login screen in order to be set up with login information.


• On the next screen, select 'Renew US Fencing Membership' from the menu on the left.


• Your general information will be displayed. Verify that it's correct then click the 'Next >>' button.


• Select the competitive membership type and indicate whether you're renewing for one year or for three. Click the 'Next >>' button to continue.


• Read the Waiver of Liability and select the 'I agree to this release' option. Click 'Next >>' to continue.


• Enter your payment information then click the 'SUBMIT PAYMENT >>' button.


• Print your receipt and make sure to bring it with you to the tournament.

Next, pre-registering on AskFRED...

Getting ready for the W&M tournament this weekend - 24 Oct 11

If you're planning on fencing in Williamsburg this weekend, there are three key steps to be done in advance.

1. Join USA Fencing, as either a one-day member ($20) or as an annual member ($60). If you do a one-day membership now and decide to become an annual member later, the $20 is applied against the annual amount.

2. Pre-register for the tournament.

3. Make sure your gear's ready to go and that you at least have a general idea of what will be going on.

The next three entries will detail those steps. (I didn't want to put it all in one entry and overload anyone!)

Up next, joining USA Fencing.

Equipment orders, national event in Richmond - 18 Oct 11

If you're wanting new gear for the W&M Halloween Open or don't want to wait until November for new stuff, equipment orders are due to me by 10 p.m. this Wednesday. As always, they can be turned in at club or emailed.

Want to rent gear for the tourney instead of purchasing your own? Let me know what you need ASAP so I can make sure to have enough additional weapons put together.

A bit farther away but well worth the drive is the North American Cup event at the Richmond convention center this Friday through Monday. NACs are a series of national events held around the country to give fencers from all over the opportunity to compete. The Richmond NAC is for U17 (Cadet), Division II (C and under) and Division III (D and under) fencers so while you won't see current Olympians (like you will at the April NAC in Virginia Beach!), you will see plenty of Virginia Division regulars, including our own Scott Y., going up against fencers from all over the country. The best part? Admission for spectators is free! The event schedule:

Puss in Boots isn't the only fencing cat! - 13 Oct 11

Poquoson schedule reminder - 13 Oct 11

Hey Poquoson fencers! There will be no class or club this Sunday, October 16, due to the 2011 Poquoson Seafood Festival. This was noted in the original course material and on the club calendar as a no-fencing day but it slipped my mind until halfway through last week's fencing. So my apologies for not adding a verbal reminder last weekend!

Odds and ends - 6 Oct 11

Nifty article on Yahoo Sports about fencing: Mr. President, Mr. Facebook, Mr. Morehouse: Everyone Is Getting Into Fencing.

Ralph Lauren Magazine has an article about fencing too.

The FIE has launched a new promotional website. Shiny!

Did you know Flat Stanley visited IWFC a couple of weeks ago? He even tried his hand at fencing!

Orders and tournaments - 5 Oct 11

Today's the first Wednesday of the month so if you haven't already turned yours in, equipment orders are due by 10:00 tonight. If you're still deciding what to order but don't think you'll be ready by tonight, no worries. Due to the upcoming Halloween Open tournament at W&M at the end of the month, a second equipment order will be done on Wednesday, October 19.

The Halloween Open is a great tournament for both experienced and first-time competitors alike, not to mention just going to watch and cheer on clubmates. We've got a lot of folks ready to give tournaments a try so let's see how many we can get together for this one!

Requirements to enter:

• USFA membership - You can register or renew online. They also have a one-day option available if you don't want to do a full membership yet. Please list IWFC as your club even if you fence in Poquoson. Remember, PFC is part of IWFC, not a separate club.


• Equipment - Competitors must have fencing pants (jeans, sweats, etc. are not allowed); an underarm protector (plastron); at least two working electric weapons and body cords; and a lame if fencing foil or saber.


• Although pre-registration for the tournament is not required, it's greatly appreciated by the organizers so they know how many fencers to expect.

If this will be your first tournament, I highly suggest reading How to Go to a Fencing Tournament, whether your a fencer or a parent/family member/friend of one. It will help you understand what to expect and how a tournament day generally runs.

Regarding equipment, I will have limited amounts of club weapons, body cords, and lames available for use at the tournament. It's strictly on a first come, first served basis and arrangements must be made in advance. A small per-item fee will apply. Contact me to reserve equipment.

Don't want to wait that long for a tournament? The Tech Open is October 15-16 in Blacksburg. Although I will not be available for coaching/armory, there will be some friendly, familiar faces there!

October classes - 23 Oct 11

IWFC: The next beginner class starts Monday, October 3. The intermediate class is for foil and begins Tuesday, October 4. The fee for either class is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased. Register either via email or by calling 238-3111. Payment and equipment sizing will be taken care of as part of the first class.

Poquoson: The next beginner and intermediate classes start Sunday, October 2. Details are in the new Island Tide (fencing's on page 9). Register through Parks and Rec. All registrations must be done through PPR, I cannot register you at the first class.

Quick reminders - 7 Sep 11

Equipment orders are due tonight. If you can't bring it out to IWFC tonight, you can turn it in via email.

New classes start this week at IWFC. Epee and beginner foil classes start this week. If you missed the first session but still want to take the class, just let me know.

A new fencing class started this week at the Peninsula YMCA in Newport News. I know the Y (along with many of you) was without power for a while after Irene, plus the Y had some trouble with the registration system, so if you weren't able to sign up your young fencer-to-be, you should be able to do so now. New fencers will be accepted for another week or so, just contact the Y and you're good to go!

Poquoson's fencing classes should be announced by Poquoson Parks and Rec any minute now. Stay tuned....

Happy Almost-Labor Day! - 3 Sep 11

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! Because of the holiday, there is no fencing this Sunday (PFC) or Monday (IWFC). The regular schedule resumes on Tuesday. See you then!

The intermediate epee class at IWFC starts Tuesday, September 6, And the IWFC beginner class starts Wednesday, September 7. To sign up for either class, just send an email or call 238-3111 and you're good to go. Payment, paperwork, etc. are all taken care of as part of the first session. Note: If you want to take a class but won't be able to make the first session or two, let me know and we'll work it out.

Want to take a class in Poquoson instead? Hang in there! According to the Parks and Rec website, the fall class schedule should be out some time next week.

September equipment orders are due by 10 p.m. Wednesday the 7th. Time to look over your gear and see what needs to be replaced or updated!

Game on! - 28 Aug 11

I went out to the salle earlier this afternoon and everything looks pretty good so Monday night's practice will go on as usual. I'll head out early tomorrow evening to get everything put back into place before open fencing. So be warned, if you show up early, I'll likely put you to work!

Sunday's officially off - 26 Aug 11

It's official, Sunday's practice in Poquoson has been cancelled. Per PPR's home page, 'Due to Irene all activities in the City have been suspended until further notice. Please visit the City of Poquoson homepage for more information regarding City Offices and Storm Updates.'

Monday at IWFC is still up in the air. I don't expect to have enough information to make a decision until Sunday afternoon at the earliest. Which reminds me, a huge 'thank you' goes out to those folks who helped me square things away at the salle Thursday night. I'm not always smart enough to accept help when it's offered so thank you all for being smarter than I!

Regardless of your location, be smart and be safe.

Weather notes - 25 Aug 11

Rumor has it there's a bit of weather coming our way. As such, Friday night's armory class will be rescheduled. Although the weather Friday shouldn't be a problem in and of itself, I heard from some that while they were interested in the class, they'd rather spend the evening getting their homes and property ready for the weekend. Understandable! So I'll huddle with the calendar over the weekend and reschedule.

As of right now, Poquoson Parks and Rec has not cancelled any activities so technically, Sunday fencing is still on. I would not be surprised, however, if that changes. Needless to say, I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. In addition, you can keep tabs on their weather hotline at 868-3584, their Twitter feed, and of course their website.

Next week's IWFC schedule is unchanged as of right now. I'll let you know at some point over the weekend as to our Monday status. In the meanwhile, stay smart, stay safe.

Happy New Year! - 21 Aug 11

If you've been fencing for a bit, you probably know that the fencing year runs from August 1 to July 31. (Of course, even if you haven't been fencing for a bit, you know that now!) As such, I try to synch any big changes or administrative stuff with the new year. So without further ado, here we go:

Dues: Effective September 1, monthly dues are increasing to $20 per month for one fencer. The 'Full Time' versus 'Pay as You Go' options have been retired. All other rates are unchanged for now, although floor fees may still be revisited.

It's a small change (and frankly, they need to be tweaked a bit more but I'm holding off on that) but I know that right now, there is no such thing as a small change for some budgets. If this puts a crimp in your fencing plans, let me know and we'll see what we can work out. I have many more plans and projects than I have time for!

Liability/medical info forms: This year instead of asking for new forms, I'm asking you to review, sign, and date your existing form to confirm that the contact and medical information on it is still correct. You (or your responsible adult person) can do this at any club practice. If you'd rather do a new form from scratch or send a new form in with your fencer, print out this one (two-sided, one page please).

Class dates - 18 Aug 11

Armory class: Friday, August 19 was to be the foil armory class but I've decided to roll the foil and epee classes together to avoid a chunk of repetition for people interested in both. The combined armory class will be Friday, August 26, from 7:00 to 9:00. We'll go over the basics of troubleshooting and repairing foil and epee equipment. The fee is $15 for IWFC/PFC members (or non-fencing parents of our younger members), $20 for non-members so if you area college fencers want to get a taste of fencing how-to, come on out! This will be show-and-explain more than hands-on so all you need to bring is something to take notes. Bonus: Feel free to bring a bottle or two of your favorite relaxing beverage, adult or otherwise. The weather's getting bearable again so we can socialize afterwards as well! Sign up for the class by emailing coach@iwfc.net or calling 238-3111.

Newport News YMCA: There will be no class August 30 due to work being done on the courts. So our final session in the current class will be next Tuesday, August 23. The next youth fencing class is September 6 through October 25. You don't have to be a member of the Y to sign up your young fencer, either. If you or an older child is interested in learning to fence at the Y, let them know. If there's sufficient interest, we'll add a class! To register or to ask about adding a class, contact the Newport News Family YMCA.

IWFC beginner fencing class: The September beginner class starts Wednesday, September 7. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 and run through the 28th. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased (payment, sizing et al will be handled during the first class). Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.

IWFC epee class: The next intermediate class is epee and it starts Tuesday, September 6! You've seen the others fencing it and want to do it too? You've noodled around with it but want to learn it for real? Now's your chance! Classes are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30. Class fee is $60 and epee equipment is provided. Sign up by via email to coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111.

Equipment order: September's equipment orders are due by 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 7. The 2011-2012 tournament season's starting to get underway so check out your gear and see if anything needs to be replaced or updated.

Equipment orders are due tonight - 10 Aug 11

Don't forget to turn in your equipment order by 10 p.m. tonight!  If you won't be at IWFC's practice tonight, you can email your order to me and payment can be made online here.  (PFC fencers can pay at the same link, it all goes to the same spot!)  Visit Absolute's website to put your shopping list together -- and don't forget to check out their clearance items!  Women's front-zip jackets for $19, saber masks for $35, and more. Sizes are limited but it's always worth looking over.

August dates - 1 Aug 11

The next beginner class at IWFC starts Monday, August 8. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased. Sizing et al will be handled as part of the first class. Register for the class via email or by calling 238-3111.

The August equipment order will be done next Wednesday, August 10, not this Wednesday. Orders can be turned in either via email or at any club practice. Don't forget to check out the clearance pages when you check out Absolute's website to put together your order!

Because it's still hot out there, August's intermediate class will actually be a couple of armory classes instead! There will be one class for foil and one for epee, both dealing with basic trouble-shooting and repair up through rewiring. The foil class will be Friday, August 19, and the epee class will be Friday, August 26. Both classes will start at 7:30 and are expected to run an hour to an hour and a half. I'm still deciding on details (including cost) so if there's something in particular you'd like to see covered, let me know.

It's H-O-T-T hot! - 25 Jul 11

Apologies for the delay in updates! A hard drive crash compounded by an CKI* failure has kept me hopping the past several days.

As you might have noticed lately, it's kind of hot outside. Which means it's pretty darned warm at the salle, too. You've done a great job with staying hydrated and taking plenty of breaks. In general I don't close up shop for the heat but if I do, I'll post it here as soon as the call is made. If you're not sure if we're open and can't check the website, call the salle (238-3111). In the meanwhile, remember these tips:

• Drink plenty of water! You're welcome to bring in your own water bottles and fill them at the cooler if you don't want to mess with the paper cups. Don't have a bottle? I've still got some of those great stainless steel bottles with the club logos.
• Fence shorter matches when it's especially hot. If you're fencing to a particular number and start to feel too run down, stop the match even though no one's reached the final score yet. On especially hot days, I'll enforce five-touch bouts to make sure everyone gets plenty of break time.
• Unfasten or even remove your jacket between bouts. Get some air in there! (But please don't stand right in front of a fan and block the air off from the rest of the salle.)
• I picked up a chilly pad by Frogg Toggs at Bed, Bath and Beyond last week. So far I'm rather liking it but as they say, your mileage may vary.
• Get a little extra practice in at Poquoson on Sunday evenings. We have plenty of A/C there! Brr!

* Chair-Keyboard-Interface

There's still time - 7 Jul 11

Did you forget to sign up for the beginner or intermediate class at IWFC? The beginner class will take new fencers through Monday so if last night's inconveniently-timed downpours scared you off, no worries. You can still get in on the fun! And if you've been wanting to learn saber, there's still time to get in on this month's class but make sure you do it by Friday evening or you'll have to wait for the next saber class to roll around!

Left one out! - 4 July 11

Happy 4th, everyone!

In yesterday's update I forgot to include the youth fencing class at the Newport News Family YMCA. It's for ages 6-12 and you don't have to be a member of the YMCA to sign up. Sessions are on Tuesday evenings at 5:15 from tomorrow, July 5, through the end of August. All equipment is provided! Visit PeninsulaYMCA.org or call 245-0047 to register. (Late registrations are accepted so if you can't get hold of them tomorrow, no worries.)

July's upon us - 3 July 11

Remember, no Poquoson fencing today, July 3, and no IWFC fencing Monday, July 4.

If you haven't signed up for a July fencing class yet, there's still time!

• Isle of Wight beginner class starts Wednesday, July 6 - email coach@iwfc.net to sign up.
• Isle of Wight intermediate saber class starts Tuesday, July 5 - email coach@iwfc.net to sign up.
• Poquoson beginner and intermediate classes begin Sunday, July 10 - contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to sign up.

Poquoson Parks and Rec is also hosting fencing camps this summer, one in July and one in August. Camps are divided into two ages groups: 8-10 and 11-14. As above, contact PPR to register your young fencer.

The July equipment order deadline is Wednesday, July 6. Orders and payments are due by 10 p.m. that night and can be sent in via email or done in person. And when you're visiting Absolute's website to put your order together, don't forget to check out their clearance page. Yes, some of their old/new pricing looks goofy but there are some pretty good deals there on all sorts of equipment.

And as noted earlier on our Twitter and Facebook pages (IWFC and PFC), USA Fencing has announced the 2011-12 national event schedule.

The big note for us is that two of the events are practically in our laps!

• Cadet/Div II/Div III are in Richmond October 21-24
• Div I/Wheelie Nats/Y10-12-14 are in VA Beach April 13-16

(Div III means D and under, Div II means C and under, Div I means C and above.)

Saber World Cup Webcast moved up to 7:00 tonight

Received an email from USA Fencing updating tonight's webcast schedule:

(New York City, N.Y.) - Fencing fans from around the world can watch the medal bouts of the New York Saber World Cup live TONIGHT on both www.usfencing.org and www.universalsports.com at 7 p.m. EDT.

One US fencer, Mariel Zagunis, is in the women's saber semifinals. The men's competition is still underway, now into the round of 32. US fencers still in play are Tim Morehouse, Daryl Homer, and Ben Igoe. Tune in to US Fencing or Universal Sports at 7:00 to see how the semis and the finals go!

Watch World Cup fencing LIVE Saturday night!

Watch the New York Saber World Cup finals live Saturday night! The men's and women's saber semifinal bouts will be aired via webcast beginning at 7:30 p.m. Click the link for more info. Watch the best of the best do what they do best!

Can Dan Fence?

Gold medal decathloner (decathlonist?) Dan O'Brien is trying his hand at all sorts of sports in a series called 'Can Dan Do It?' In May he gave fencing a try:



You can see the full series here. Enjoy!

Tournament this weekend in Richmond - 23 Jun 11

This weekend is the Tune-up Open in Richmond. Entry is $20 per event if you pre-register, $25 if you don't. They're also having youth foil events on both days if you want to watch some of the younger fencers go at it! Full details, including schedule and directions can be found at the above link. Any questions, just let me know!

July's coming up quickly! - 20 Jun 11

Registration for July classes, both at IWFC and at PPR, is open so don't forget to sign up! The IWFC beginner class starts on Wednesday, July 6, the IWFC intermediate saber class starts Tuesday, July 5, and the Poquoson beginner and intermediate foil classes start on Sunday, July 10. To register for IWFC classes, email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111. Poquoson registrations are done through Poquoson Parks and Rec.

Not sure about taking a class? How about fencing camp instead? Poquoson Parks and Rec is hosting fencing camps this summer -- five days of fun with other youth fencers to be! Camps are five days long, two hours per day, with the 8-10 year olds camp from 12:30 to 2:30 and 11-14 year olds from 3:00 to 5:00. The first camp runs July 18-22 and the second is August 15-19. All equipment is provided! Contact PPR to register.

If Poquoson and Carrollton don't fit into your schedule, how about the Newport News YMCA? They have a youth fencing class for ages 8-18! All equipment is provided and the class is open to both members and non-members.

And lastly, the end of the world is officially drawing nigh. Yes, I finally broke down and set up official Facebook pages for each club! IWFC's page is here and PFC's is here. Go! Like! Share!

Quick Sunday note - 19 Jun 11

Just wanted to remind folks that Poquoson's back on schedule today. Happy Fathers' Day and if we don't see you tonight, hope to see you soon!

Tonight's the last night of fencing for a bit - 8 Jun 11

Big reminder: After tonight's IWFC session, there is no fencing at either IWFC or PFC until next Tuesday afternoon. This includes practice sessions, classes, and private lessons. Regular activity will resume after noon on Tuesday. See you then!

Poquoson schedule reminder, IWFC classes - 5 May 11

Poquoson fencers: Remember, there is no fencing this weekend or next (the 5th and the 12th).

Beginning and intermediate foil students are being accepted at IWFC through Monday (beginning) and Tuesday (intermediate foil) of this week. So if you forgot to sign up, there's still time! Just email or call 238-3111 and you're good to go.

June order reminder - 31 May 11

Don't forget to turn in your June equipment order by 10 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) night!

Also, registration is still open for the June beginner and intermediate classes. Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to sign up.

Upcoming stuff and goodies - 25 May 11

May 26 (aka 'this Thursday' and 'tomorrow' among other things): After we finish fencing at IWFC, we're heading over to the AJ Gators in Eagle Harbor to kick back and relax for a bit. Come join us! That's next Thursday, June 2! Come join us then!

May 27 - 30: No fencing at PFC or IWFC. Have a great Memorial Day weekend! It's also Military History Weekend at the Virginia Renaissance Faire if you're still looking for something to do Saturday and/or Sunday. I have one free gate pass available each day so let me know if you want it! (Must be arranged in advance so let me know no later than Friday.)

June 1: June's beginning fencing class starts. The class is 10 sessions long and meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 at IWFC. The fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased. Call 238-3111 or email to register or if you have any questions.

June 1: June equipment orders and payments are due by 10 p.m. The vendor is Absolute and orders can be turned in via email or in person.

June 3: June's intermediate class begins and this month it's foil. Sessions are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30. The fee is $60. Questions? Want to sign up? Call 238-3111 or email.

June 5: No PFC fencing.

June 9 - 13 or 14: No fencing (class or club) for IWFC or PFC. The 14th is up in the air but I'll let you know as soon as the details are settled.

General notes: Poquoson Parks and Rec is now taking registrations for the next set of fencing classes, which begin July 10, and for the fencing camps (one in July, one in August). Contact PPR to sign up.

Got a wanna-fencer who's not quite old enough for the regular beginner classes yet? Or an older youth wanna-fencer whose schedule just doesn't mesh with IWFC or PFC? The Newport News Family YMCA has a youth fencing class for ages 8-18! And it's taught by yours truly. Not a YMCA member? Not a problem, you can still sign your youngster up for the class! Just contact the NNY and they'll get you taken care of!

Wednesday night cancelled - 25 May 11

Wednesday night is cancelled. That's right, we're going straight from Wednesday evening into Tuesday morning!

Or not.

But seriously folks, tonight's regular practice is cancelled due to a schedule conflict. Apologies for the late notice but I just realized it myself about fifteen minutes ago. (This is what happens when my 'work brain' and 'not work brain' don't talk to each other!)

Stay tuned for another update later today with lots of important June stuff...

Quick weekend notes - 13 May 11

Hey Poquoson beginner class! If you missed the last class or two, you weren't alone. I know life was more than a little crazy the last few weeks so I'm going to hold an extra class this Sunday from 5:00 to 6:00 (optional, of course). Come put the finishing touches on that starting game of yours then start practicing with the club!

Also on tap for the weekend -- for the next four weekends, actually -- is the Virginia Renaissance Faire. This weekend is Shakespeare and Fantasy weekend so in addition to the usual excellent fun, you just might meet the Bard of Avon himself! VARF is run by an educational not-for-profit so you'll get to see a goodly cross-section of Elizabethan life in addition to magic, music, archery, dancing, militia drills, and food. Upcoming weekends are Pirate Invasion on May 21-22, Deaf Awareness Day on May 22, Military History Weekend on May 28-29 (active and reserve service members get in free!), and Celtic Weekend on June 4-5. Admission is $9, ages 5 and under are free. If you have any questions about the faire, visit varf.org or ask me! I saw a couple of you there last weekend and hope to see more as we go along!

Equipment order reminder - 4 May 11

Don't forget, equipment orders (and payment) are due tonight by 10 p.m. You can turn in orders either via email or at tonight's club session.

Classes, equipment orders, and tournaments - 1 May 11

The May beginner fencing class at IWFC starts Monday, May 2. There's still time to sign up -- just send an email or leave a message at 238-3111. Sessions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 and the class is ten sessions long. The cost is $60 plus equipment which can be either rented ($30 per month plus glove) or purchased (starting at $110).

Have you been wanting to try your hand at epee? May's intermediate class at IWFC is what you're looking for! Classes are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and the cost is $60. All epee-specific equipment is provided. Email or leave a message at 238-3111 to register.

The May equipment order goes in this Wednesday, May 4. Orders are due to me by 10 p.m. that night and can be turned in either at practice or via email. As usual, the preferred vendor is Absolute. If you have questions about anything, just ask!

We've had a busy couple of weekends at tournaments with more to come! Scott and Bill fenced in last weekend's tournament at W&M with Scott placing fifth in foil and second in epee. This was Bill's first time out and he fenced better in each bout as the day went along so I expect we'll see him at future tournaments! Rhiannon fenced in this weekend's "E"stravaganza in Manassas against a large field of foilists, turning in a solid performance in both pools and DEs. W&M results are here and Manassas results are here.

Want to create some results of your own? Next weekend is the Battle of Spotsylvania Veteran's Tournament (including its day-long tasting buffet!) in Spotsylvania on May 7 and the RFF Ladies Spring Open in Manassas on May 8. Fencers must be 40 as of December 31, 2010, to be veterans and must be, well, female to fence in the women's event. Although I won't be available for either event (either to coach or to compete), let me know if you're planning on entering and I'll do everything I can to help you prepare beforehand.

Quick weekend notes - 23 Apr 11

Poquoson reminder: No fencing (class or club) this weekend.

The Conomikes-Gutenberg Memorial Open is today and tomorrow in Williamsburg. It's at the William and Mary rec center at the corner of Compton and Brooks. Click here for directions. Come on out and see what a full-on competition is like!

Thanks and welcome! - 17 Apr 11

Many thanks go out to Liz, Scott, Riley, and Balint for helping at yesterday's demo. Although the wind was a pill, the wet stuff held off and we were able to make several new friends. Hello, new friends!

We've got a slew of tournaments coming up, starting with next weekend's Conomikes-Gutenberg Memorial Open. There's still time to register! If you're not up for competing just yet, this is a very good tournament to watch due to its proximity, open space, and range of skill levels. A quick read through How to Go to a Fencing Tournament will give you an overview of how things will run throughout the day. If you have any questions beforehand, ask away! And I'll be on hand both days for the usual coaching, fixing, cheerleading, and so on.

A full list of upcoming tournaments can be seen here on AskFred.

May classes - 16 Apr 11

The May beginner class starts Monday, May 2! Sessions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 and the class is ten sessions long. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either purchased or rented. Email or call 238-3111 to register.

May's intermediate class is epee and starts Tuesday, May 3! Sessions are Tuesday and Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 and the class is eight sessions long. The class fee is $60 and epee equipment is provided. Email or call 238-3111 to register.

Demo data - 14 Apr 2011

Quick update on the Healthy Kids Day in the Park Demo: I've confirmed with Isle of Wight Parks and Rec that the Day in the Park is still a go at this time. Although the forecast for tomorrow is wet and windy, the big storms currently aren't expected until after 1:00. We're in the same place we were last year, by the bathrooms, so we've got great shelter just in case. But I'm leaving the electrics at the salle rather than bringing out a strip like I'd planned. If you decide the weather's too cruddy for you, no worries! I'll certainly understand! I'll be out of internet reach by around 9:00 tomorrow morning so if you need to get hold of me, call me at 334.3603. See you there?

Gear's here, among other fun news! - 14 Apr 11

Gear's here! If you had anything in the April order, you can pick it up at any IWFC or PFC practice.

Don't forget to come to Carrollton Nike Park for this weekend's fencing demo! It's part of the Healthy Kids Day in the Park, three hours of fun activity sponsored by Isle of Wight County Parks and Recreation and the Luther YMCA of Smithfield. The event's from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you don't have to hang out at the fencing table/tent all three hours. Come out and play!

Mark your calendars for the Virginia Renaissance Faire! From Scout Days on May 7 and 8 to Celtic Weekend on June 4 and 5, it's five weekends of fun, music, militia, and more. And because it's run by an educational not-for-profit, volunteers of all sorts are more than welcome as well. If you're interested in helping out, email the volunteer coordinator and let her know. To borrow her words, "We can always use volunteers -- it's a great way to get involved, see what goes on "backstage", meet cast/crew, make new friends and earn comp tickets for you or your friends/family." I hope to see you there!

Link correction - 7 Apr 2011

The last update had a bad link to the tournament information for this month's Conomikes-Gutenberg Memorial tournament in Williamsburg. Click here for better luck! If you've been thinking about entering, don't let the thin pre-registration numbers talk you out of it. This has been a consistently good event with a solid variety of skill levels. Don't wait for everyone else to sign up before you do -- they're probably sitting at their own computers waiting for 'everyone else' to sign up too so go for it! I'll be there both days for coaching, fixing, cheerleading, and general nonsense so you won't be on your own. If you have any questions or concerns about entering, talk with me at any practice or shoot me a note.

April notes - 5 Apr 2011

Forgot to register for the April beginner class at IWFC? That’s all right, new fencers are being accepted through Friday, April 8. Just email or call 238-3111 to sign up and you’re good to go! Sessions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00.

The saber class starts tonight at IWFC. If you haven’t registered yet, no worries. You can just show up tonight! Can’t make it tonight but still want to take the class? Email or call 238-3111 to sign up and we’ll see you on Friday. (Friday is the last day that new saberists can join the class.) Sessions are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and the class fee ($60) includes dues for April.

Don’t forget to send in your April equipment order! Orders and payment are due by 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. Need anything for the W&M tournament at the end of the month? Now’s the time to order!

Volunteers are needed for our spot in the Healthy Kids Day in the Park at Carrollton-Nike Park on April 16. It’s easy! Wear your fencing gear, bring your enthusiasm for the game, and help show what a great sport this is by answering questions, doing demonstrations, helping people try on masks, and so on. It’s from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and lunch is provided. Please let me know if you'll be there so I can plan accordingly.

Our Military Kids provides grants to children of National Guard, Reserve, and active duty Wounded Warrior service members. This program can help pay for sports (including fencing!), fine arts, and tutoring programs for your children. Click the link for more details!

Quick Poquoson reminder - 2 Apr 11

A quick reminder for Poquoson fencers: No class or club Sunday, April 3. Our regular schedule resumes the following Sunday, April 10. Have a great Spring Break!

W&M tournament registration - 25 Mar 11

Registration's open for the Conomikes-Gutenberg Open! The tournament's April 23-24 at William and Mary. It's a great tournament for both spectators and fencers so if you aren't planning on entering, I hope you're planning on coming out and watching for a bit!

Need/want new stuff for the tournament (or practice or fun)? April equipment orders are due to me by 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 6. As always, orders and payments can be turned in at any practice or online.

Don't forget to sign up for the April beginning and saber classes! Email or call 238-3111 to register.

April dates - 21 Mar 2010

Beginner class: The next beginner class at IWFC starts Monday, April 4. The cost is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased. Sessions are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 and the class is ten sessions long. Email or call 238-3111 to register!

Intermediate class: I'm going to try something over the next few months and will rotate the intermediate class between weapons. That's right, you can add epee, saber, or both to your fencing repertoire! So April's intermediate class will be for saber as I've had several requests for it recently. You don't have to know anything about saber to take the class, you just have to have had the beginner foil class and be comfortable using what you've learned so far! Sessions are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and the class is eight sessions long. The fee is $60 and all saber equipment is provided.

Equipment order: April's equipment order date is Wednesday the 6th. All orders and payments are due by 10 p.m. that night. Orders and payment can be turned in during any class or club session or sent online. As usual, Absolute is the vendor of preference.

Fencing demo! Once again we've been invited to participate in the Isle of Wight Parks and Rec's 'Healthy Kids Day in the Park.' We've had a lot of fun doing these in the past and I don't expect this year to be any different. It's April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and they'll feed us. You don't have to be there all three hours but the more who want to help out, the more fun we have! (Really, when else will you have the chance to fence with a cow????)

April tournaments:

Apr 2-3: Cherry Blossom Open, College Park, MD

April 23-24: Conomikes-Gutenberg Open, Williamsburg, VA

April 30-May 1: RFM "E"stravaganza, Manassas, VA

Reminder - 4 Mar 2010

Quick reminder: The IWFC intermediate class starts tonight! Sessions are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and the class is eight sessions long. If you forgot to sign up, go ahead and show up tonight and you're good to go!

March dates - 1 Mar 2011

Date change for IWFC: The last update said that the next beginner class would start Wednesday, March 2. But I'm pushing it back a week since I didn't get out the reminder notice(s) as intended. So the IWFC beginner class will begin on Wednesday, March 9 instead. As always, call 238-3111 or email to register! The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased.

The IWFC intermediate class will begin on Friday, March 4. The fee is $60 and includes club dues for the month.

March equipment orders are due to me by 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 3. Yes, tomorrow as it's the first Wednesday of the month. Orders can be either turned in via email or in person at club.

More fencing, March classes - 15 Feb 2011

Effective immediately, Wednesday night practices open fencing, not epee/saber only. See you there!

The March beginner class starts on Wednesday, March 2. Call 238-3111 or email to register. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased.

Lost and Found - 5 Feb 2011

Are you or your fencer missing a shin/foot guard? One was left in front of our door the other day so I assume one of the other building tenants found it in the parking lot. Let me know!

Also, please take a minute or three to check your fencing gear to see if some strays have found their way into your stuff. The club and I are short a few body cords and I know how easy it is drop small things like that into your bag and forget about them, no worries! Club body cords are marked with a band of yellow tape and my cords are marked with blue and green tape. If you come across a cord that isn't yours, just drop it off next time you're at club. Thanks!

Sunday, signups, and shout-outs - 5 Feb 2011

PFC - No fencing this Sunday! I know that not everyone will be watching the game but based on past attendance on Super Bowl Sunday, I'm canceling practice this weekend. So have fun this weekend and I'll see you next Sunday!

Fencing Class Part I: Didn't get signed up for the February beginner class at IWFC? That's all right, new fencers are being accepted through Monday, February 7. Email to register or hey, just show up Monday night at 6:00!

Fencing Class Part II: There are still a few spaces available in the next beginner and intermediate classes in Poquoson. Classes start next Sunday, February 13, so contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to get signed up!

A big 'woo hoo!' goes out to James and Josh F. for last weekend's Ratings Rumble in Richmond! It was the second outing for each and both fenced well. Josh won his first DE and James darned near won his as well. Way to go, guys! Full results are here.

Keep an eye on our Twitter feed for heads-ups on nifty fencing tidbits from around the world!

Notes, reminders, and dates - 21 Jan 2011

Long-time USA Fencing Membership Director Dana Brown announced her resignation earlier this week. If Dana ever helped you with a question or a problem, take a moment and drop her a quick line to say 'thank you' -- and if you've never had a problem or snag with your USFA membership, give her a 'thank you' for that as well!

Level A schedule reminder: Tuesdays are from 6:30 to 7:30 now with Thursdays staying at 6:00 to 7:00. I know it's a little odd but trust me, it was the least awkward of the possible solutions!

IWFC date reminder: No fencing this Monday, January 24, for either club or class. The regular schedule resumes on Tuesday.

Saber practice at IWFC is available on Friday nights from 7:00 to 8:00 through January for those who took the December class.

The River City Rumble Ratings Rally is January 29-30 in Richmond. You can compete in foil on Saturday and/or Sunday, saber is on Saturday, and epee is on Sunday. Note the Saturday start times.

The next IWFC intermediate class starts Tuesday, February 1! Classes meet Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 for eight sessions. Email or call 238-3111 to register. Class fee is $60.

The next IWFC beginner class starts Wednesday, February 2! Email to register or call 238-3111. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased. Classes meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 for ten sessions.

The February equipment order is Wednesday, February 2. Check out Absolute's website and let me know what you need no later than 10 p.m. that night. As always, orders can be turned in at any club session or via email and payment is due when you place your order. (Credit card payments can be made online here.)

Poquoson Parks and Rec is taking registrations for the next set of fencing classes! Both classes begin on Sunday, February 13 and the deadline to register is February 10. If you've just completed the most recent beginner class and are interested in taking this intermediate class, please attend as many practices as you can between now and then. If you're still working on coordinating the basics, you won't get as much out of the class as you would otherwise! Not sure if you or your fencer should take the February class or wait for the next one? Shoot me a note and we'll talk it over.

What a weekend! - 12 Jan 2010

What a great weekend! The Hangover Classic was in fine form and we had plenty of our own fencers there, both fencing and cheering their friends on. In fact, we had six competitors on Saturday (five in mixed foil, one in women's epee) and five on Sunday (all in mixed epee). From the first-timers to the 'old hands' everyone did well, even when the final scores weren't what they were hoping for. Scott updated his ratings in epee and foil to 2011 and Ed updated his epee rating as well. Congrats, guys! Full results can be seen here.

Up next, the River City Rumble, a ratings rally in Richmond. C and under saber and E and under foil are on Saturday, January 29, and C and under foil and epee are on Sunday, January 30. The entry fee is $20 per weapon if you pre-register, $25 if you don't.

Want to see what other opportunities are coming up? The Division tournament schedule can be seen here.

December's saber class is being extended through January, thanks to the weather and all that other stuff. There's no additional cost, just come on out to IWFC on Friday nights from 7:00 to 8:00! If you didn't sign up for the December class and want to get in on the January action, email me.

Poquoson: Yes, we're back on schedule this weekend! If you've just completed the beginner class, I highly encourage you to come to the club practices so you can work on those new skills. Practice is from 6:00 to 8:00 on Sunday evenings. (Club dues apply.) It's important to be comfortable with what you've learned so far before you take the intermediate class, otherwise you'll be spending so much time trying to remember the basics that you won't get as much as you should out of it!

Schedule tweak: Please note there will be no class or club fencing Monday, January 24.

Friday night and this weekend's tournament - 7 Jan 2010

I'm excited about this weekend's Hangover Classic in Richmond! We have a pile of fencers competing, some for the first time, and it should be a great weekend all around.

Some key notes:

Operating on the theory of 'just in case' I'll have the salle open from 6:00 to 8:30 tonight so people can have some extra time to work on things, be it their weapons or their game. From 6:00 to 7:00, you're welcome to do armory work only, no fencing. From 7:00 to 8:30 the floor will be open for fencing. (Note: If no one's there at 7:30, I'm closing up and going home.)

First-timers, please take a few minutes to read How to Go to a Fencing Tournament. From suggestions on how to start getting ready the day before the event to what to expect throughout the day, it will help you make sense of what's going on so you can relax and focus on your fencing.

If you haven't done so already, pre-register! Pre-registration is free and doing so means you only have to pay $35 per event when you check in. If you don't pre-reg, it's $50 so save yourself some cash!

Make sure you have your proof of USFA membership with you.

* If you recently joined online and haven't received your packet yet, you can print out your card online.
* If you're planning on joining at the tournament, it will make your life much easier if you print out the form and fill it out at home. Then you can just hand over the completed form and the membership payment when you check in.
* If you did/are planning on doing a one-day membership, you must do it online. It cannot be done at check-in.

The directions to the venue on AskFRED are to the Richmond University campus in general, not specifically to the Weinstein Center itself. Consider using this info from the Richmond Uni website: RU's campus map with the Weinstein Center flagged and the Google Maps page said flag sends one to.

I'll be there all day both days, armory box in tow, for coaching, support, fixing, and general running-around-ness. Go Wight Knights!

Notes for this week - 4 Jan 2011

Happy 2011!

Important Level A reminder: Effective TONIGHT, January 4, Tuesday Level A practices are from 6:30 to 7:30. Thursday stays at 6:00 to 7:00.

January equipment order: Orders and payments are due to me by 10 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, for this month's equipment order. As usual, the preferred vendor is Absolute and orders can be submitted either via email or at practice.

Big tourney weekend: This weekend is the annual Hangover Open in Richmond. (Note the new location.) If you even think you might enter, be sure to pre-register. It's $35 per event if you do, $50 at the door if you don't! It has a good history of being a strong event and this year's looking pretty good too with both women's and mixed events in all three weapons. Also, Absolute will be there so you can check out and buy equipment in person! If everyone who's been talking about entering actually does, there should be a good-sized contingent of us there to support and to cheer each other on. Sounds like fun!

Don't forget, you need to be a member of USA Fencing in order to enter the tournament. You can sign up online or you can do it in person at the tournament but it's much easier on everyone -- especially you! -- if you do it online. A competitive membership through the end of the current season (July 31, 2011) is $60 but you can also do a one-day membership for $10 if that fits into your budget better. Please be aware that one-day memberships must be done online and you must bring the resulting printout with you to the tournament. (And no, one-day memberships cannot be credited against the full membership rate if you decide to join up later.)

PFC schedule reminder: Due to the Hangover and its size, it's one of the few events I commit to for all day on Sunday rather than leaving early so I can also do club night in Poquoson. That means one more week without fencing -- but don't forget, your dues entitle you to come fence in Carrollton, too, so come give it a whirl!