Congrats to all of our fencers who entered the Div II/III Championships this weekend! Liz and Rhiannon showed the colors in women's foil, Balint fenced in the men's epee, and Scott earned his C10 rating by winning the men's foil. Well done! Full results are here.
Next weekend, March 20-21, is the Conomikes-Gutenberg Open in Williamsburg. Again, I highly encourage everyone to spend at least a little time at the event! It can really be an eye-opener just watching what other fencers do and thinking about how you would handle them if you were on strip. Not to mention it's just pretty darn cool! Full information, including directions to the W&M rec center, are here.
Thinking about getting a USFA membership? If this will be your first time ever joining, consider waiting just a couple more weeks to do it. Memberships are normally good through the end of the current season, i.e. July 2010, regardless of when you join. However, first-timers joining after April 1 automatically have their memberships extended to the end of next season, July 2011. Wait two weeks, get three months for free, in other words! When you're ready to go, click here -- you can either do it online or print a form to do it via mail.
Don't forget to register for the fencing camps to be held over Spring Break, April 5 - 9! Details are in earlier posts and if you have any questions, just ask.
15 March 2010
12 March 2010
Quick note on this weekend's tourney - 12 Mar 10
Please note that I'll only be on hand for the Sunday fencing this weekend. The Saturday fencing doesn't start until after noon and I'll be introducing a group to fencing at our salle that afternoon. On Sunday I'll be at the tournament until mid-afternoon as usual.
Best of luck to everyone!
Best of luck to everyone!
11 March 2010
The rest of the story - 11 Mar 10
And now for the rest of the update...
The next beginner class starts Monday, March 15. Class is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 and will run ten sessions. The fee is $60 plus equipment which can be either purchased ($110, $130 for women) or leased ($30 per month). The minimum age to take the class is 10 and right now we have a good mix of youth and adults. Come join the fun!
Youth fencing camps are being offered over Spring Break, April 5 through 9. The camp for 8-10 year olds is from 10:00 to noon and the 11-14 year olds' camp is from 1:00 to 3:00. From Monday through Thursday they'll learn basic skills and on Friday friends and family are invited to come watch them show off their new talents as they compete against each other. The fee is $75 and all equipment is provided. Email coach@iwfc.net to register. (Maximum camp size is 8, minimum is 4.)
Healthy Kids Day in the Park demo! Isle of Wight Parks and Rec has invited us back to this year's Healthy Kids Day in the Park. It's Saturday, April 17, at Nike Park in Carrollton from 10:00 until noon. We had a blast last year (really, how often do you get to fence a cow????) and this year looks to be even more fun as they're expecting twice as many participants. Let me know if you can be there for some or all of it!
And now to take off the coach hat and put on the accountant hat. Don't forget to pay your dues, please! Remember, if you went with the $10 per month Full-Time Membership, the $10 is due each month whether you fence that month or not. If you're not sure of your status, just drop me a note and I'll let you know where things stand. As always, payment can be made online or in person. Mailing it's not a problem either. Let me know and I'll shoot the address to you.
On the other side of things, to those who have maintained an active membership even though they're not able to fence with us at all or who have donated items or funds to the club (even 'keep the change'), thank you! We're coming up on the six month mark at our new home and those extra bits have been greatly appreciated not only by me but also by the fencers who are benefiting from having our own place.
The next beginner class starts Monday, March 15. Class is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00 to 7:00 and will run ten sessions. The fee is $60 plus equipment which can be either purchased ($110, $130 for women) or leased ($30 per month). The minimum age to take the class is 10 and right now we have a good mix of youth and adults. Come join the fun!
Youth fencing camps are being offered over Spring Break, April 5 through 9. The camp for 8-10 year olds is from 10:00 to noon and the 11-14 year olds' camp is from 1:00 to 3:00. From Monday through Thursday they'll learn basic skills and on Friday friends and family are invited to come watch them show off their new talents as they compete against each other. The fee is $75 and all equipment is provided. Email coach@iwfc.net to register. (Maximum camp size is 8, minimum is 4.)
Healthy Kids Day in the Park demo! Isle of Wight Parks and Rec has invited us back to this year's Healthy Kids Day in the Park. It's Saturday, April 17, at Nike Park in Carrollton from 10:00 until noon. We had a blast last year (really, how often do you get to fence a cow????) and this year looks to be even more fun as they're expecting twice as many participants. Let me know if you can be there for some or all of it!
And now to take off the coach hat and put on the accountant hat. Don't forget to pay your dues, please! Remember, if you went with the $10 per month Full-Time Membership, the $10 is due each month whether you fence that month or not. If you're not sure of your status, just drop me a note and I'll let you know where things stand. As always, payment can be made online or in person. Mailing it's not a problem either. Let me know and I'll shoot the address to you.
On the other side of things, to those who have maintained an active membership even though they're not able to fence with us at all or who have donated items or funds to the club (even 'keep the change'), thank you! We're coming up on the six month mark at our new home and those extra bits have been greatly appreciated not only by me but also by the fencers who are benefiting from having our own place.
10 March 2010
Tournaments, tournaments, and more tournaments - 10 Mar 10
First off, congratulations to Martin! He earned his E rating in foil at the Charlottesville tournament. Way to go!
This weekend (March 13 and 14) is the official C-and-Under Ratings Rally for Virginia Fencers Only in Richmond! Don't like how crowded regular ratings rallies are? Then this is the event for you! The official name of the tournament, the VA Division II/III Championships, scares away a lot of fencers. But the only reason it has such an official name is because Virginia has to have an official event to determine how many Virginia fencers can then go to the Summer Nationals. (And that really is a big event!) You see, if only a handful of people enter the Division Championships, then only one or two fencers can go to Summer Nats. But if a whole bunch of people enter the champs, then Virginia can send a lot of people to Summer Nats! So this is a doubly-cool event: It's a ratings rally that isn't wall-to-wall fencers AND you get to help send people to Summer Nats. Joy! (Note: There are no mixed events. Each weapons is broken out by gender.) Tournament info is here and you can see who's already signed up -- including your clubmates -- here.
The following weekend, March 20 and 21, is the annual Conomikes-Gutenberg Open in Williamsburg. This is traditionally a good-sized open with a wide variety of skill levels represented. Plus it's held in a very large gym so it's easy for spectators to wander around and see everything. Click here for tournament information. I strongly encourage everyone to spend at least a little while at this tournament so you can see what competitions are like! If you've never been to a tournament before, read 'How to Go to a Fencing Tournament' for an idea of what to expect. Fun stuff, Maynard!
This one's a biggie! Virginia Beach will be hosting a North American Cup event April 23 through 26 at the Convention Center. Div I means 'C rated and higher' so you'll get to see some of the best fencers in the country, including former and potential Olympians! And Scott will be in the thick of it all, competing in men's epee! w00t! (Yes, I still say 'w00t'. Hush.) And in addition to the Div I fencers, Y10, Y12, and Y14 competitions will be held as well. Set aside some time to go to this one, it's well worth it!
Additional tournaments on the way: VA Division Youth Championships, Southeast Sectionals (in Greensboro, NC, this year), Virginia Division Championships
Whew! There's a bit more I wanted to cover but I think that's plenty for now.
This weekend (March 13 and 14) is the official C-and-Under Ratings Rally for Virginia Fencers Only in Richmond! Don't like how crowded regular ratings rallies are? Then this is the event for you! The official name of the tournament, the VA Division II/III Championships, scares away a lot of fencers. But the only reason it has such an official name is because Virginia has to have an official event to determine how many Virginia fencers can then go to the Summer Nationals. (And that really is a big event!) You see, if only a handful of people enter the Division Championships, then only one or two fencers can go to Summer Nats. But if a whole bunch of people enter the champs, then Virginia can send a lot of people to Summer Nats! So this is a doubly-cool event: It's a ratings rally that isn't wall-to-wall fencers AND you get to help send people to Summer Nats. Joy! (Note: There are no mixed events. Each weapons is broken out by gender.) Tournament info is here and you can see who's already signed up -- including your clubmates -- here.
The following weekend, March 20 and 21, is the annual Conomikes-Gutenberg Open in Williamsburg. This is traditionally a good-sized open with a wide variety of skill levels represented. Plus it's held in a very large gym so it's easy for spectators to wander around and see everything. Click here for tournament information. I strongly encourage everyone to spend at least a little while at this tournament so you can see what competitions are like! If you've never been to a tournament before, read 'How to Go to a Fencing Tournament' for an idea of what to expect. Fun stuff, Maynard!
This one's a biggie! Virginia Beach will be hosting a North American Cup event April 23 through 26 at the Convention Center. Div I means 'C rated and higher' so you'll get to see some of the best fencers in the country, including former and potential Olympians! And Scott will be in the thick of it all, competing in men's epee! w00t! (Yes, I still say 'w00t'. Hush.) And in addition to the Div I fencers, Y10, Y12, and Y14 competitions will be held as well. Set aside some time to go to this one, it's well worth it!
Additional tournaments on the way: VA Division Youth Championships, Southeast Sectionals (in Greensboro, NC, this year), Virginia Division Championships
Whew! There's a bit more I wanted to cover but I think that's plenty for now.
27 February 2010
New IWFC classes, PFC stays at two hours - 27 Feb 10
Beginner fencing class: The next IWFC beginner class will start Monday, March 15, and run ten classes, meeting Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 at the salle. The class fee is $60 and equipment can be either purchased for $110-130 or rented for $30 per month. Send your registration info to coach@iwfc.net by Sunday, March 14. Please include the name and age of the fencer(s) and whether equipment will be purchased or rented. Minimum age for students is 10, maximum age is 971. (Rental equipment is available on a first come, first served basis and as such, availability isn't guaranteed.)
Level A fencing: Starting in March, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at IWFC from 6:00 to 7:00 will be practices for our 'Level A' fencers. Level A fencers are those who have had at least the beginner class (or equivalent experience elsewhere) but want more time to practice with fencers their level before they tackle the open fencing sessions. We'll work on the skills you've learned so far with both drills and bouting against other Level As. If you're interested in these sessions but aren't sure if they're for you or not, just ask. The cost is $10 per month.
Intermediate class: The next IWFC intermediate class will be announced soon. If you're interested in taking this class, please let me know as I have some scheduling thoughts in mind but would like to bounce them off of you before I get too set on anything.
PFC club sessions - two hours! Yep, PFC is going to continue having open fencing from 6:00 to 8:00. During the intermediate class time, from 6:00 to 7:00, club fencers will have use of half of the floor while the other half is used by the class. Then from 7:00 to 8:00, the entire floor is available as usual. See you there!
Spring Break fencing camps: IWFC will be hosting youth fencing camps during Spring Break, April 5 to 9. Camps are two hours each day, Monday through Friday, with separate camps for ages 8-10 and 11-14. The first four days will be spent learning the basics and on Friday we'll have a mini round-robin to show off for friends and family! The 8-10 camp will be mornings from 10:00 until noon and the 11-14 camp will be from 1:00 until 3:00. The fee is $75 and all equipment will be provided. Both camps are limited to eight participants but if there's enough interest, second sessions for one or both age groups may be added. Email coach@iwfc.net to register.
Equipment order: Monday, March 1, is the next equipment order. Orders can be turned in either at club Sunday or Monday or sent in via email. (Email should be sent no later than 10 p.m. Monday night to ensure its arrival before the order is sent in.) As always, the preferred vendor is Absolute Fencing but if there's something you want from someone else, let me know.
College-bound? Here's an interesting article with a different perspective on college admissions and extra-curricular activities.
Level A fencing: Starting in March, Tuesday and Thursday evenings at IWFC from 6:00 to 7:00 will be practices for our 'Level A' fencers. Level A fencers are those who have had at least the beginner class (or equivalent experience elsewhere) but want more time to practice with fencers their level before they tackle the open fencing sessions. We'll work on the skills you've learned so far with both drills and bouting against other Level As. If you're interested in these sessions but aren't sure if they're for you or not, just ask. The cost is $10 per month.
Intermediate class: The next IWFC intermediate class will be announced soon. If you're interested in taking this class, please let me know as I have some scheduling thoughts in mind but would like to bounce them off of you before I get too set on anything.
PFC club sessions - two hours! Yep, PFC is going to continue having open fencing from 6:00 to 8:00. During the intermediate class time, from 6:00 to 7:00, club fencers will have use of half of the floor while the other half is used by the class. Then from 7:00 to 8:00, the entire floor is available as usual. See you there!
Spring Break fencing camps: IWFC will be hosting youth fencing camps during Spring Break, April 5 to 9. Camps are two hours each day, Monday through Friday, with separate camps for ages 8-10 and 11-14. The first four days will be spent learning the basics and on Friday we'll have a mini round-robin to show off for friends and family! The 8-10 camp will be mornings from 10:00 until noon and the 11-14 camp will be from 1:00 until 3:00. The fee is $75 and all equipment will be provided. Both camps are limited to eight participants but if there's enough interest, second sessions for one or both age groups may be added. Email coach@iwfc.net to register.
Equipment order: Monday, March 1, is the next equipment order. Orders can be turned in either at club Sunday or Monday or sent in via email. (Email should be sent no later than 10 p.m. Monday night to ensure its arrival before the order is sent in.) As always, the preferred vendor is Absolute Fencing but if there's something you want from someone else, let me know.
College-bound? Here's an interesting article with a different perspective on college admissions and extra-curricular activities.
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