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!