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!