Welcome to all of our new friends we met Saturday at Nike Park! We had an even better location than last year and were kept hopping all day with foam sabers and balloons. A million thank yous to Scott and Liz for all their help! And did we have fun? You'd better believe it! Video proof is on our YouTube channel -- sadly, someone forgot to charge her camera battery (guilty!) so no still shots this year, just video. This year we got both the Chik-Fil-A cow and Smoky Bear to play with us a bit. Next year we'll have to see if we can get them to fence each other!
Remember, classes at IWFC start this week! You still have time to register (via email or by calling 238-3111) but if time gets past you, it's all right to show up on the first night of class. We'll get you taken care of! The beginner class is on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00, running ten sessions long, and the intermediate class is on Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:00 to 8:00, running eight sessions. Each class is $60 and equipment can be either rented or purchased.
Just in case you haven't seen it already, there was a great news story a couple of weeks ago about blind fencers. To top it off, there's even a short video news piece about them now. Very cool!
And in closing, if you've been thinking about joining the US Fencing Association, now's an excellent time to do it. First-time members' expiration date will be July 2011 instead of July 2010 so you'll be getting three months for free! USFA members receive the American Fencing magazine each quarter, voting privileges, and other benefits. Plus your membership fee helps support fencing from the top all the way down to clubs like us! Click here to learn more as well as to register online. (We have to have at least ten USFA members each season in order to maintain our club membership so if you join up, please let me know so I can keep everything squared away.)
18 April 2010
16 April 2010
Demo, Olympians, Classes - 16 Apr 10
Fencing demo this Saturday: Don't forget, this Saturday -- TOMORROW -- is the Day in the Park at Carrollton Nike Park. Fencers of all skill levels are needed (IWFC or PFC, of course) and it should be a lovely day to play around outside! I've been told we'll be towards the back of the park, near the bathrooms and with lots of trees around us. Call me (334.3603) tomorrow morning after 9:00 and I can give you the exact location. The demo itself is from 10:00 to 2:00 and if it's only half as much fun as we had last year, it will still be a darned good time! Help show off our excellent sport!
Olympians versus locals? It might happen next weekend at the North American Cup event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center! IWFC's Scott Young will be competing in the Div I men's epee, which will be fenced on Sunday, April 25. As several past and potential Olympians are entered as well, he may well get to try his hand against one or more of them! In addition to the C-rated and higher (Div I) adult events, youth fencers (aged 14 and below) from all over the country will be competing in their own events as well. You can see the schedule at the bottom of the page linked above. Although I cannot be on hand Saturday, you can bet I'll be there the other three days! I hope to see lots of you there as well -- and if you're wearing your PFC or IWFC shirts, people will know you're a fencer too! Bonus: Several fencing equipment vendors will be on site so it's also a great opportunity to check things out in person. (Did someone say 'new toys'?)
Sectionals: This year's Southeast Sectionals are in Greensboro, NC, May 1 and 2. (Divisions are grouped into Sections so this will have fencers from several states entering.) The entry deadline is April 25 -- late entries are accepted but at triple the regular fee so if you're planning on competing, make sure you get it taken care of.
Additional upcoming tournaments, including a veteran (40+) event, can be seen here.
Olympians versus locals? It might happen next weekend at the North American Cup event at the Virginia Beach Convention Center! IWFC's Scott Young will be competing in the Div I men's epee, which will be fenced on Sunday, April 25. As several past and potential Olympians are entered as well, he may well get to try his hand against one or more of them! In addition to the C-rated and higher (Div I) adult events, youth fencers (aged 14 and below) from all over the country will be competing in their own events as well. You can see the schedule at the bottom of the page linked above. Although I cannot be on hand Saturday, you can bet I'll be there the other three days! I hope to see lots of you there as well -- and if you're wearing your PFC or IWFC shirts, people will know you're a fencer too! Bonus: Several fencing equipment vendors will be on site so it's also a great opportunity to check things out in person. (Did someone say 'new toys'?)
Sectionals: This year's Southeast Sectionals are in Greensboro, NC, May 1 and 2. (Divisions are grouped into Sections so this will have fencers from several states entering.) The entry deadline is April 25 -- late entries are accepted but at triple the regular fee so if you're planning on competing, make sure you get it taken care of.
Additional upcoming tournaments, including a veteran (40+) event, can be seen here.
14 April 2010
Rate changes effective in May - 14 Apr 10
If you've been with IWFC/PFC for a couple of years, you probably know I try to enact major changes on August 1, the start date of the fencing year. I need to break away from that now, however, as it's just not practical with the club's new status as being part of a small business. With that being said, new rates are going into effect as of May 1.
Short version: Full-Time Membership will be $15 per month, Pay As You Go will be $20. Additional family members are $5 per month (immediate family only). Epee/Saber Night is still $5 per month per fencer, no family discount. Armory rates are going up slightly and I'll make myself be better about 'not giving the farm away' (thanks for the reminder, Turin). I'll post the armory rate sheet at IWFC by the armory table; the new rates can also be seen at IWFC's info page. (I'll hopefully have PFC's info page updated tonight after I come back from epee/saber night.) These are still pretty modest amounts compared to what I'm seeing for other clubs and other sports in the area but if you find this puts you in a bind, please come talk to me. We'll work something out because hey, this is fencing! It's important!
(Note: If you've already paid for May and beyond, the new rates won't kick in until your payment runs out.)
I'd like to say a big 'thank you!' to you all for letting me know that you value the new things we've been able to start offering over the past several months. My goal is for us to continue to grow and I couldn't do it without you!
Short version: Full-Time Membership will be $15 per month, Pay As You Go will be $20. Additional family members are $5 per month (immediate family only). Epee/Saber Night is still $5 per month per fencer, no family discount. Armory rates are going up slightly and I'll make myself be better about 'not giving the farm away' (thanks for the reminder, Turin). I'll post the armory rate sheet at IWFC by the armory table; the new rates can also be seen at IWFC's info page. (I'll hopefully have PFC's info page updated tonight after I come back from epee/saber night.) These are still pretty modest amounts compared to what I'm seeing for other clubs and other sports in the area but if you find this puts you in a bind, please come talk to me. We'll work something out because hey, this is fencing! It's important!
(Note: If you've already paid for May and beyond, the new rates won't kick in until your payment runs out.)
I'd like to say a big 'thank you!' to you all for letting me know that you value the new things we've been able to start offering over the past several months. My goal is for us to continue to grow and I couldn't do it without you!
Demo, classes - 14 Apr 10
The Day in the Park demo is this Saturday, April 17, from 10:00 to 2:00. It's hosted by the Isle of Wight Parks and Rec department at Carrollton Nike Park (click for turn-by-turn directions). Volunteers are needed to help show off our sport by fencing, answering questions, helping people whack each other with foam sabers, possibly fencing cows, and -- of course -- looking awesome. If you can only be there for part of the time, not all four hours, that's okay. I don't know exactly where we'll be so come in the main park entrance and just cruise 'til you find us! They loved us last year so let's wow them all over again!
The next beginner fencing class starts Monday, April 19. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 and run ten sessions long. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented ($30) or purchased ($110-130). Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.
The next intermediate fencing class starts Tuesday, April 27. Classes are Tuesday and Friday from 7:00 to 8:00 and run eight sessions long. The class fee is $60 and if you don't have your own equipment, the standard monthly rental fee ($30) applies. Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.
The next beginner fencing class starts Monday, April 19. Classes are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 and run ten sessions long. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either rented ($30) or purchased ($110-130). Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.
The next intermediate fencing class starts Tuesday, April 27. Classes are Tuesday and Friday from 7:00 to 8:00 and run eight sessions long. The class fee is $60 and if you don't have your own equipment, the standard monthly rental fee ($30) applies. Email coach@iwfc.net or call 238-3111 to register.
07 April 2010
Equipment order - AND stuff's on sale! - 7 Apr 10
Today is equipment order day! And talk about timing, Absolute just put a bunch of new stuff on clearance! As usual, orders and payment are due by 10 p.m. tonight. Any questions, just let me know.
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