Summer Newsletter, August 21, 2009

Greetings returning VFA fencers! I hope you are enjoying the waning days of summer, and that you managed to have some outdoor fun this summer despite the rain. The new fencing season is almost upon us, so here is an update.

Can't wait until September to start fencing again? I am looking for a few exerienced fencers with their own working electric equipment to help put on an outdoor demonstration at Vergennes Day on Sat. Aug. 29, from noon until 1:30. A number of us did a similar thing at French Heritage Day in July and not only did many people enjoy watching, but a few have already contacted me about joining fall classes. After losing many fencers in Middlebury over the last couple of seasons, it is especially important to publicize fencing in Addison County and rebuild the club to its former glory (I'm not so worried about Charlotte-I had waiting lists there all of last season, so critical mass seems to have been achieved). If you can help with the Vergennes Day demo, please e-mail or call and let me know.

Speaking of rebuilding the Middlebury club, a warm VFA welcome to incoming Middlebury College freshman Travis Stoll, a B-rated epee fencer from Texas. Also welcome to Greg Demetrick, who fenced foil and sabre in college some years ago and plans to join the Charlotte club and get back into the sport.

As usual, fencing will start with 6 free tune up sessions, 3 in Middlebury and 3 in Charlotte. This is my gift to all returning students, including those who just started fencing last spring. We will be doing a lot of physical conditioning, footwork and basic technique drills, as well as some games and bouting. Level 2 and 3 foil, epee and sabre students will all work together in these tune up sessions, before we split up into our regular groups for the season. This is a great opportunity for the whole VFA to spend a few days together, getting back in shape and shaking the rust off. Have I mentioned that these sessions are FREE? Is this club a deal or what? The tune up sessions will take place 7-9 p.m. on Sept 9, 14 and 16 in Middlebury, and on Sept 10, 15 and 17 in Charlotte. I encourage everyone to participate in as many of these as you can make.

I am hoping that this fall's schedule will remain the same as last fall's, but I am still waiting for final confirmation from Mary Hogan School, MUMS and the Bridge School (CCS has already confirmed).

Here is the tentative schedule for the fall:
Sept 9-17, 7-9 p.m.: tune up sessions (see above)

Mondays, Middlebury, Mary Hogan School, Sept 21-Nov 30
6:30-7:45 p.m. Level 1 foil/Level 2 foil and epee
6:30-9 p.m. open fencing

Tuesdays, Middlebury Union Middle School, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Sept 22-Dec 8
Junior Team practice. By invitation only. More about the Jr Team program below!

Tuesdays, Charlotte Central School, Sept 22-Dec 1
7-8:15 p.m. Level 1 foil/Level 2 foil and epee
7-9 p.m. open fencing

Wednesdays, Bridge School, Middlebury, Sept 23-Dec 2
6:30-7 warm up and footwork
7-8 and 8-9 Level 3 foil and epee classes (alternating weeks as to which class takes which time slot), open fencing

Thursdays, CCS, Sept 24-Dec 3
7-7:30 warm up and footwork
7:30-8:30 and 8:30-9:30 Level 3 foil and epee classes (alternating weeks as to which class takes which time slot), open fencing

Week of Dec 7-10, make up classes if needed, otherwise bonus classes for Level 1, open fencing for all.

Returning students who still need to rent equipment: please e-mail or call me as soon as possible to reserve it. I am starting to register new Level 1 students, and rental equipment is first come first served. If you don't reserve it very soon, I will assume you have purchased your own. Please note that all Level 3 students are expected to have their own equipment.

Do you have any friends or family members who might be interested in fencing? Now is the time to point them toward our website (www.vtfencingalliance.com) and tell them to get in touch with me for registration information. As usual, for every friend you recruit to the VFA, you get $5 off your own class fees (so if you recruit 20 new members, I'll actually owe you money...).

Attention junior fencers! Are you between 12 and 18 years old, with at least 2 years of fencing experience (at least 1 of those with the VFA) and a serious interest in competition? Do you want to take your game to the next level while developing leadership skills within the fencing community? Every season, I select up to 10 fencers for the VFA's Junior Team program. This is essentially an apprenticeship program. Junior Team fencers pledge to practice at least 3 times a week while maintaining academic standards set with their parents, and to develop and volunteer skills needed to advance the VFA and GMD, such as refereeing, armory, and helping coach beginners. In exchange, Jr Team fencers receive free group and private lessons, extra coaching at meets, and the opportunity to train with other motivated athletes. The Junior Team program has a proven track record of producing fencers who win medals, earn higher ratings, win Champlain Cup awards, qualify for Jr Olympics and National Championships, and participate successfully in tournaments all over New England, Quebec and beyond. I expect hard work and positive attitudes from my Jr Team fencers, but I have noticed they also seem to have a lot of fun and form good friendships. If you seek motivated training and competitive achievement in an atmosphere of camaraderie and support for your goals, consider joining the Junior Team. Let me know as soon as possible if you would be interested in participating in this season's Jr Team program. Returning team members especially need to get back to me right away so I know how many of you to expect back on the team.

This season, I will be assisted in Level 1/2 classes by 3 "tenured faculty" - experienced senior fencers who enjoy teaching and I have offered free Level 3 classes in exchange for their commitment to help teach beginners. I will also be assisted by various Junior Team members and other experienced fencers over the course of the season. Our tenured professors of fencing are Don Selby (helping mainly in Charlotte, mainly in fall and spring if his work schedule again takes him to Florida for the winter), Ray Schuppe in Charlotte and Deb Hogan in Middlebury. Ray will be in India on business the first few weeks of the season but is sure to be a regular once he returns.

The traditional kick-off of the Champlain Cup season, the Fall Foliage Open, is scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27 at UVM. New this year, we are adding a day of events just for unrated fencers on Saturday, and the usual exciting 3 weapon open on Sunday. Mark your calendars!

Relatively new to fencing, never competed before? The Champlain Cup is Vermont's fun and friendly fencing league. Particpants earn a point each time they enter an event, plus bonus points for high placement, depending on the type of tournament and the strength of the field. Trophies are awarded at the end of the season (in May) for the top 3 fencers in foil, epee and sabre, the best veteran fencer (age 40+), the best youth fencer (age 12-), and, especially to encourage new competitors, the Rookie of the Year (a fencer with under 2 years total experience, first full season in the league). You do not have to be a cut-throat competitor to enjoy our fencing tournaments. I encourage everyone to participate in order to meet fencers from other clubs. Learning to evaluate and fence unfamiliar opponents is an important part of learning to fence, and you don't get that experience just by fencing the same few buddies in your own club. Among the events we sponsor are those especially for kids (children born 1997 or later are restricted to events designated Y12-they can not enter teen and adult events) and those especially for inexperienced competitors (designated "U" or "E" -such as the 9/26 events). Keep an eye on future VFA bulletins for information about upcoming tournaments and get in on the Champlain Cup fun!