Quick reminder for Poquoson fencers: No fencing tonight as they're fixing up something on the floor this weekend.
February classes are coming up! The Poquoson beginner and intermediate classes start February 12. Contact Parks and Rec to sign up. Intermediate fencers must have completed the beginner course (or shown comparable skill) and attended sufficient club practices to show comfort and control in the skills they've learned so far. Just finished the beginner class? Join us for the club practices each Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 and work on those skills you've been learning. (Club membership and dues are taken care of through me, not PPR.)
The IWFC beginner class starts Wednesday, February 8. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 and are a total of ten sessions. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be rented or purchased. Sizing, payment, etc. are taken care of as part of the first class. Email or call 238-3111 to register.
The February IWFC intermediate class (foil) begins Friday, the 3rd. Classes are Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 8:30 and we meet a total of eight times. The class fee is $60. As above, intermediate fencers must have completed the beginner course (or shown comparable skill) and attended sufficient club practices to show comfort and control in the skills they've learned so far. Email or call 238-3111 to register.
29 January 2012
22 January 2012
Poquoson schedule notes - 22 Jan 12
Hey Poquoson fencers! Just heard from Parks and Rec this afternoon that a bit of work needs be done on the new floor and they've scheduled it for next weekend, January 29. So that means no fencing for us, alas! We're off the following Sunday as well -- something about a big football game and historically only one or two people showing up that day and all that. So I'll see you all on February 12!
Speaking of February 12, the next beginner and intermediate classes start that day as well. Contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to register!
Speaking of February 12, the next beginner and intermediate classes start that day as well. Contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to register!
20 January 2012
Informal saber event - 20 Jan 12
Looking for a fun saber scrimmage? Mechanicsville Fencing Academy is hosting a saber event this Saturday. Visit their website for more information!
15 January 2012
Poquoson, game on! - 15 Jan 12
Poquoson starts back up again today! So...
The beginner class has its last two sessions today and next week. Both are at the regular 5:00 to 6:00 time.
The intermediate class wrapped up before the break so now instead of having class for an hour then fencing for the last hour of club, you get to fence at club for the whole two hours, from 6:00 to 8:00!
And of course club practice will be the usual 6:00 to 8:00 two hour block.
The beginner class has its last two sessions today and next week. Both are at the regular 5:00 to 6:00 time.
The intermediate class wrapped up before the break so now instead of having class for an hour then fencing for the last hour of club, you get to fence at club for the whole two hours, from 6:00 to 8:00!
And of course club practice will be the usual 6:00 to 8:00 two hour block.
14 January 2012
Hangover Classic recap - 14 Jan 12
The Hangover Classic is one of Virginia's major fencing tournaments, offering all three weapons in both women's and mixed format. It's always a pretty darned good weekend but this year it was just amazing. I've actually started this entry several times but it kept dissolving into excited 'zomgyay!' keyboard gibberishjdfkwfsjher!!!!!
For starters, how about some numbers? (Click for the full-size version.)
In other words, it was huge! But the tournament committee and the refs did a fantastic job of keeping things moving along both days. They even promoted everyone out of the pools - no cuts! - which meant everyone got to fence at least one direct elimination match. So a huge 'thank you' goes out to all of them for making the event the huge success it was.
We had five people fencing on Saturday. Scott, Liz, and Shane did mixed foil, Meredith entered women's epee, and Scott and Brandon T. were in the monster saber event. Sunday saw Scott and Meredith fencing again, this time in mixed epee, along with David, Stephen, and Ed. Morgan came out as well, fencing in the women's saber event.
On Saturday, all three of our foilists had byes in the first elimination round, then Shane and Liz each went up against two of the three fencers who were tied for eighth at the time. Their day ended there, alas, and they finished side-by-side in the final placing. Scott made it into the round of 16 before he was finally bumped out by a fencer who continued into the final four. He placed 9th overall, narrowly missing updating his C rating.
Meredith also had a tough match-up in the women's epee DEs, facing the 9th place seed in her first elimination round. But it was a great warm-up for Sunday's mixed epee!
Saturday's mixed saber event was Brandon T.'s first competition and he picked a great one to start off with! Although he was knocked out in his first DE, he made a great impression on a lot of people. Can't wait to see him go out and do it again! Scott fenced into the round of 16 before having to call it a day.
Sunday was another full day of fencing. Although Morgan had to miss Saturday's huge saber melee, she was there for Sunday's women's saber event. She won her first DE round but then found herself matched up against the number one seed and eventual tournament winner. Still, not a bad way to spend a Sunday!
In epee, Scott, Meredith, and Ed are familiar faces at Virginia tournaments but David and Stephen were new to the division, although not new to competition. David and Meredith fenced solid games and laid some good groundwork for their next outings. Stephen had a bye in the first DE round and very nearly won the next round's match. It was a heck of a bout! And while his day ended there, it was enough to update his E rating to 2012. Ed made it into the third round before being knocked out but he got to take home a C12 rating for his efforts. And Scott made it two more rounds beyond that, finally being eliminated in the round of 8. His 7th place finish earned him a shiny A12. 'Way to go!' just doesn't come close to how tickled I am with everyone's performances last weekend!
Although I was a bit busy with other things during our fencers' bouts, I was able to record one of the mixed epee semi-final matches and the final. The videos are on our YouTube channel so wander on over and take a look when you have a chance. There's some pretty sweet fencing there!
In other words, it was huge! But the tournament committee and the refs did a fantastic job of keeping things moving along both days. They even promoted everyone out of the pools - no cuts! - which meant everyone got to fence at least one direct elimination match. So a huge 'thank you' goes out to all of them for making the event the huge success it was.
We had five people fencing on Saturday. Scott, Liz, and Shane did mixed foil, Meredith entered women's epee, and Scott and Brandon T. were in the monster saber event. Sunday saw Scott and Meredith fencing again, this time in mixed epee, along with David, Stephen, and Ed. Morgan came out as well, fencing in the women's saber event.
On Saturday, all three of our foilists had byes in the first elimination round, then Shane and Liz each went up against two of the three fencers who were tied for eighth at the time. Their day ended there, alas, and they finished side-by-side in the final placing. Scott made it into the round of 16 before he was finally bumped out by a fencer who continued into the final four. He placed 9th overall, narrowly missing updating his C rating.
Meredith also had a tough match-up in the women's epee DEs, facing the 9th place seed in her first elimination round. But it was a great warm-up for Sunday's mixed epee!
Saturday's mixed saber event was Brandon T.'s first competition and he picked a great one to start off with! Although he was knocked out in his first DE, he made a great impression on a lot of people. Can't wait to see him go out and do it again! Scott fenced into the round of 16 before having to call it a day.
Sunday was another full day of fencing. Although Morgan had to miss Saturday's huge saber melee, she was there for Sunday's women's saber event. She won her first DE round but then found herself matched up against the number one seed and eventual tournament winner. Still, not a bad way to spend a Sunday!
In epee, Scott, Meredith, and Ed are familiar faces at Virginia tournaments but David and Stephen were new to the division, although not new to competition. David and Meredith fenced solid games and laid some good groundwork for their next outings. Stephen had a bye in the first DE round and very nearly won the next round's match. It was a heck of a bout! And while his day ended there, it was enough to update his E rating to 2012. Ed made it into the third round before being knocked out but he got to take home a C12 rating for his efforts. And Scott made it two more rounds beyond that, finally being eliminated in the round of 8. His 7th place finish earned him a shiny A12. 'Way to go!' just doesn't come close to how tickled I am with everyone's performances last weekend!
Although I was a bit busy with other things during our fencers' bouts, I was able to record one of the mixed epee semi-final matches and the final. The videos are on our YouTube channel so wander on over and take a look when you have a chance. There's some pretty sweet fencing there!
11 January 2012
Order reminder, lost item - 11 Jan 12
Equipment orders are due tonight by 10 p.m. Visit Absolute Fencing to make your list then either bring it to club or email it to me tonight.
Did you happen to find a black Bluetooth earpiece in your stuff after Monday night's practice? If you do come across it, please bring it to practice tonight or email me if you can't make it.
Next update: A recap of the most exciting Hangover Classic ever!
07 January 2012
Poquoson notes - 7 Jan 12
Remember, one more week of no Poquoson fencing. This time it's due to the Hangover Open, a major tournament in Richmond this weekend. The regular schedule resumes next Sunday, January 15. As noted earlier, the remaining two beginner classes will be held January 15 and 22 at the regular times. After completing the class, beginning fencers are welcome to start utilizing their new skills in our open practices from 6:00 to 8:00 each Sunday evening!
The next Poquoson beginner class starts Sunday, February 12! You can contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to register effective immediately, even though the class isn't showing up on the website yet. The first class is from 4:00 to 6:00 to give us time to get paperwork and sizing taken care of, the remaining classes are from 5:00 to 6:00.
And if it's time for a new beginner class in Poquoson, it's also time for an intermediate class. Yep, the next Poquoson intermediate class also starts Sunday, February 12. Again, contact Parks and Rec to register. NOTE: In order to take the class, you must have successfully completed the beginner class and you should attend as many club practices as you can before taking the intermediate. If you are comfortable using the skills you learned in the beginner class without having to think through every action step by step any more, you'll get much more out of the intermediate class than if you don't attend any club practices beforehand! If you have any questions, just let me know.
The next Poquoson beginner class starts Sunday, February 12! You can contact Poquoson Parks and Rec to register effective immediately, even though the class isn't showing up on the website yet. The first class is from 4:00 to 6:00 to give us time to get paperwork and sizing taken care of, the remaining classes are from 5:00 to 6:00.
And if it's time for a new beginner class in Poquoson, it's also time for an intermediate class. Yep, the next Poquoson intermediate class also starts Sunday, February 12. Again, contact Parks and Rec to register. NOTE: In order to take the class, you must have successfully completed the beginner class and you should attend as many club practices as you can before taking the intermediate. If you are comfortable using the skills you learned in the beginner class without having to think through every action step by step any more, you'll get much more out of the intermediate class than if you don't attend any club practices beforehand! If you have any questions, just let me know.
05 January 2012
04 January 2012
Wednesday status
The good news is I'm feeling a little better. The bad news is I'm still pretty sick. But with the Hangover this weekend, I know folks want to get in some practice so tonight's club session is on. (I can sit in the corner and not breathe on anyone!) Tonight's class, however, is off. We'll aim for Friday for our first day, darn it!
Speaking of which, I know I've been spreading the word about the January beginner class both in person and in individual emails but it looks like I never got it up on the site itself. Happily, January gives us some slip time so while the class's first day will be this Friday, the 6th, new fencers will be accepted through the following Wednesday. So if you've been thinking about it, this is a great time to jump on in! Remember, it's not exercise, it's fun!
The January equipment order is being pushed back a week due to this week's irregularities. So visit Absolute's website and make your shopping list. Orders and payments are due by 10 p.m. next Wednesday, January 11.
Speaking of which, I know I've been spreading the word about the January beginner class both in person and in individual emails but it looks like I never got it up on the site itself. Happily, January gives us some slip time so while the class's first day will be this Friday, the 6th, new fencers will be accepted through the following Wednesday. So if you've been thinking about it, this is a great time to jump on in! Remember, it's not exercise, it's fun!
The January equipment order is being pushed back a week due to this week's irregularities. So visit Absolute's website and make your shopping list. Orders and payments are due by 10 p.m. next Wednesday, January 11.
03 January 2012
02 January 2012
Monday night - cancelled!
Well, Monday night fencing is cancelled. I'm sorry for the late notice but I'm not feeling my best today. I'm hoping it's just travel fatigue, not an actual bug, but just in case it is 'plane plague' I'm staying home tonight so I don't spread it around. Hopefully we'll be back on track tomorrow!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)