tomorrow, other updates for fencing

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
tomorrow, other updates for fencing
The remnants of Michael are supposed to move through the area tomorrow starting around 4 pm tomorrow.  New Hanover schools are already closed.  They are talking gusts into the 50s with possible power outages, more trees uprooted and possible flooding.  Let’s go ahead and cancel afterschool, beginner class, and open fencing for tomorrow.
No problem with classes for today and open fencing tonight.
Pender County schools remain closed, so no fencing Friday.  I will send out a note to the Pender people in a few minutes.
Everything is supposed to move through quickly so I am assuming we will be good for Camp Lejeune Friday night.  I’ll send out a note to you in a few minutes as well.
I am also still planning to have the youth event on Saturday.
If any of these plans change I will contact everyone affected.
On a happier note, Erica Julien fenced yesterday at the World Veteran Championships in Livorno, Italy.  She went 3-3 in her pool, pulled a mild upset in her first DE, but then lost to the eventual silver medalist in the round of 16.  She finished 14th out of 28.  The other Americans finished 10th, 13th, and 23rd.  Considering she has had very little practice in the last month and everything else she has going on, that was terrific.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for October 7

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for October 7

We had a really large turn out for Jacksonville Friday night.  It seems like people are at the point where they want to get some normalcy.

At the Fairfax Challenge yesterday, Nicole Milewski went 5-1 and came out number 1 in her pool.  Unfortunately she dropped a close first DE and finished 17th.  She received some National Points.  She has fenced maybe 2-3 times in the last six weeks, so a good showing.

Herman
(wisely) didn’t send in the order that people were putting together
right before Florence.  If you want or need something get us what you
want by this Wednesday.  That would mean we can get it here by our first
adult event.

Next
week afterschool will get started back.  Topsail should get back into
the swing of things (I will double check with the school).  Homeschool
will continue to meet at 4:30 pm until I know what is up with St. Mary.  Evening beginner classes will continue.  I believe the UNCW fencers will start coming down this Wednesday evening.

On
10/13, I would like to try to have our first 12 and under event for the
season. Foil at 10 am, Epee at 2 pm, sabre at 3:30 pm.  Volunteer help for foil refereeing (and epee/sabre) is welcome.

My mistake last week, October 17th is the last day for
regular fees if you want to go to the December Cincinnati NAC.  It has
Div I, Div II, and Vet events.

Our
new first adult event is scheduled for October 20th.  Open epee, open
foil, and a D and under foil.  Right now still the first large
sanctioned event in the Division since Florence.  Need a few more bodies and some higher ranks to get all the events rated above an E.

October 27th has the Tiger Open at Clemson.  This is a large regional event that usually has all three opens be A level events.  They also have D and under events that usually end up being C2 level.  Check askfred.net for more info.

Apex is also holding a number of unsanctioned events that date.  A couple of aged events and adult Women’s foil, Men’s foil, and Mixed epee.

We will be holding an NCFL meet on Saturday, November 3.  With all that is going on I am not certain what the number of teams and levels will be.  I would guess probably 6-8 A foil teams for both men and women.  Probably that for foil B teams.  I know a number of our fencers have been trying to get clubs up and running, but have had their efforts delayed by Florence.  If we have people who want to fence but don”t have a team, and you are at least in middle school, we can put together B teams under the CFFA banner.  You will need a full uniform and we will help with that as much as we can.  Epee fencers also compete as B teams currently, so we can try to get a team (or more) together for that.  As always, refereeing, armoring, managing help from the club is greatly appreciated.
Homeschoolers are not allowed to compete in the NCFL.  I am supposed to hear from Tammy Reid regarding the homeschool information sometime today and will put out a note to the homeschoolers when I get it.
November 10th is the Harry Rulnick event in Fayetteville.  It has open Men’s and Women’s foil.  Check askfred for more info.
pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for October 5

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for October 5

A couple of Housekeeping things first.  The Bogerts sent a note to the club hoping that everyone is well.


Herman (wisely) didn’t send in the order that people were putting together right before Florence.  If you want or need something get us what you want by next Wednesday.  That would mean we can get it here by our first adult event.

Fencing will resume at Jacksonville this evening.


Saturday, tomorrow, I’ll be in for practice at 10 am.


Next week afterschool will get started back.  Topsail should get back into the swing of things (I will double check with the school).  Homeschool will continue to meet at 4:30 pm until I know what is up with St. Mary.

On
10/13, I would like to try to have our first 12 and under event for the
season. Foil at 10 am, Epee at 2 pm, sabre at 3:30 pm.

Our
new first adult event is scheduled for October 20th.  Open epee, open
foil, and a D and under foil.  Right now still the first large
sanctioned event in the Division.  8 and 9 already registered for the foil events, 12 in the epee.  Hopefully we can get every event to the pint where it has a solid rating.

October 27th is the last day for regular fees if you want to go to the December Cincinnati NAC.

pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for September 28

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for September 28
I want to get this out a bit early as I think I have a handle on what may be happening for the next week or so.
I’ll be in tomorrow at 10 am for practice.  It is Erica’s last practice before she heads to Italy so it would be nice to see a good crowd.
Mid-South has some unsanctioned sabre events and Apex has some unsanctioned foil and epee tomorrow.  Go to askfred.net for more details.
It looks like all of the local schools are still out next week so no afterschool and no Topsail.  Hopefully things will actually restart on the 8th as stated.
I would like to restart the August(!) beginner class on Tuesday at 6:30 pm.  Regular practice at 7:45 pm.
I would like to continue the September beginner class on Wednesday at 6:30 pm.  This is actually only the 2nd class for that session, so if you know anyone who is interested, have them contact me.  I would also like to throw it open to anybody for open fencing at that same time.  UNCW fencers, afterschool, homeschool, regular CFFA people, etc.  Get the rust off, relieve some cabin fever, it’s all good.
I will be sending a separate note to the homeschoolers about some further updates and some questions.
Thursday should be like Tuesday.

If everything goes right we should be able to have practice at Jacksonville next Friday.

Saturday, 10/6, I’ll be in for practice.

Hopefully, everything will be up and running by the 8th.  However, we’ll have to see what decisions school systems make later in the week.

On 10/13, I would like to try to have our first 12 and under event for the season. That should give everyone a week to knock the rust off.
Our new first adult event is scheduled for October 20th.  Open epee, open foil, and a D and under foil.  Right now still the first large sanctioned event in the Division.  Get signed up so we can hopefully get a good turn out.
Please feel free to email if you have questions.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for 9/22

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for 9/22
I hope this finds everyone well and recovering.  I have heard from a number of you and it sounds like just about everyone has incurred some damage, with some being pretty severe.  I totally realize that fencing may be the last thing that many of you will be thinking about for the near future.  We will try to get things back up and running so we will be there when you are ready.  I am actually still out of state, so much of this is predicated on my ability to get back.
The youth event that I had scheduled for the 29th is cancelled.  We will try to get it in sometime in October.
Our next adult event is scheduled for October 20, and has Open epee, Open foil, and D and under foil.  I was very encouraged by the amount of sign ups we had for the event we were supposed to have had last weekend and hopefully that energy can just be transferred to this next one.
I haven’t had a precise update on the condition of the club, but the general gist of what I have heard is that it flooded, but pretty much just like one of our regular flooding incidents.  I am hoping to get things back up and running for the 1st of October.  We won’t officially start the afterschool program back up until St. Mary is back in session.  If school isn’t back in session and you need to keep the kids from going stir crazy, I should be able to open up if people want to get them out of the house for awhile.  I will move payments for September to October and the beginner class will just go until it gets finished.
Homeschool folks can let me know how Wednesday the third looks.  We will just restart that as the second week of the session.
Adult beginner classes will try to pick up that week and just continue until finished.
Topsail Middle school will not restart until they are back in session.  
Camp Lejeune will depend on what I get told by MCCS.
Erica Julien was one of the people hit harder.  She has very little time to get ready for her World Championships in Italy in about three weeks.  If you fence her before she leaves, I would ask that you fence her for what she needs over what you need.  Additionally, and I know this is a small list, if anyone has left handed FIE ready pistol grip epees, let me know.
A couple of things I have heard over the last couple of weeks:
The reinforced mask rule will not trickle down to local events this year.  
They have changed the injury time rule.  You now only get 5 minutes (once the injury is confirmed by medical staff) and once the injury is treated you do not get the rest of the time.
They will be charging non-USA Fencing members for attending NACs and Nationals.  $5 per day or an all tournament pass for $15.  The non-competitive membership does not count.  Children under 10 will be free.  You must present your membership card to get a free tournament pass.
A recent study has shown that over the past five years fencing has been the fastest growing high school sport for boys and the second fastest for girls.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
pax vobiscum,
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for 9/22

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for 9/22
I hope this finds everyone well and recovering.  I have heard from a number of you and it sounds like just about everyone has incurred some damage, with some being pretty severe.  I totally realize that fencing may be the last thing that many of you will be thinking about for the near future.  We will try to get things back up and running so we will be there when you are ready.  I am actually still out of state, so much of this is predicated on my ability to get back.
The youth event that I had scheduled for the 29th is cancelled.  We will try to get it in sometime in October.
Our next adult event is scheduled for October 20, and has Open epee, Open foil, and D and under foil.  I was very encouraged by the amount of sign ups we had for the event we were supposed to have had last weekend and hopefully that energy can just be transferred to this next one.
I haven’t had a precise update on the condition of the club, but the general gist of what I have heard is that it flooded, but pretty much just like one of our regular flooding incidents.  I am hoping to get things back up and running for the 1st of October.  We won’t officially start the afterschool program back up until St. Mary is back in session.  If school isn’t back in session and you need to keep the kids from going stir crazy, I should be able to open up if people want to get them out of the house for awhile.  I will move payments for September to October and the beginner class will just go until it gets finished.
Homeschool folks can let me know how Wednesday the third looks.  We will just restart that as the second week of the session.
Adult beginner classes will try to pick up that week and just continue until finished.
Topsail Middle school will not restart until they are back in session.  
Camp Lejeune will depend on what I get told by MCCS.
Erica Julien was one of the people hit harder.  She has very little time to get ready for her World Championships in Italy in about three weeks.  If you fence her before she leaves, I would ask that you fence her for what she needs over what you need.  Additionally, and I know this is a small list, if anyone has left handed FIE ready pistol grip epees, let me know.
A couple of things I have heard over the last couple of weeks:
The reinforced mask rule will not trickle down to local events this year.  
They have changed the injury time rule.  You now only get 5 minutes (once the injury is confirmed by medical staff) and once the injury is treated you do not get the rest of the time.
They will be charging non-USA Fencing members for attending NACs and Nationals.  $5 per day or an all tournament pass for $15.  The non-competitive membership does not count.  Children under 10 will be free.  You must present your membership card to get a free tournament pass.
A recent study has shown that over the past five years fencing has been the fastest growing high school sport for boys and the second fastest for girls.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
pax vobiscum,
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for September 15

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for September 15
I will try to keep this relatively short.  I hope you are all safe and sound.  
No fencing of any kind this week.  Next week looks unlikely.  The tournament on the 22nd has been cancelled.
Kudos to Tim Buckland for his reporting.  It is how I am staying informed.  
I am in the boondocks of Indiana.  It is a few miles to the nearest WIFI.  However I will be checking stuff most days, so if you want to get a general shout out to the other fencers to let them know how you are doing feel free to email me and I will act as a conduit.
I hope to see you all as soon as practical.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

No fencing the rest of this week

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
No fencing the rest of this week
Although I imagine most of you were not going to come in, let’s make it official. 
No school the rest of the week, so afterschool and Topsail are cancelled.
Let’s go ahead and cancel evening, homeschool, and Camp Lejeune practices.
Everyone should do what is best for you and your family.  Hopefully we can get restarted next Monday, but no guarantees.  I will keep you informed.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

update on fencing

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
update on fencing
UNCW has cancelled classes as of noon tomorrow, so no UNCW practice tomorrow night.  Right now I don’t see anything regarding New Hanover for tomorrow.  Expect that we will cancel classes starting either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on what the schools do.  Plan ahead and stay safe.
pax vobiscum,
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for (/9

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for (/9

Obviously, keep
an eye on the weather for the upcoming week as that will have an impact
on about everything.  The general rule of thumb for the afterschool is
that if St. Mary closes, we will not have afterschool.  St. Mary follows
the lead of the New Hanover schools as regards closings due to
weather.  For Topsail we will follow Pender county school closings.  For
Camp Lejeune we will follow the base closings.  Things may be closed
even if the schools are open, such as if the basement floods or roads
are impassible.  I will do my best to give everyone plenty of notice. 
If we miss a class for any reason we have the flexibility to tack it on
at the back end. so we will make certain you get the correct number. 
The bottom line is that fencing, great as it is, is not worth risking
your safety for.
Herman wants to get an order
together, to, hopefully, get it here in time for the September 22
event.  Therefore, contact him or me by Thursday, if you have an order.
The latest word about equipment we have is that the foam foil chest
protector is required now.  The mask back strap issue is still a bit up
in the air.  The expected decision is along the lines of it will be
required for National events starting in January, regional events
sometime in the spring, and all events probably at the start of next
season.  I will let you know when things become more settled.
Chloe
Eidt attended the Kick Off event in Richmond yesterday and took 6th in
Mixed Division III epee and 2nd in the Women’s epee.
Barring weather, we should be back to the full fall schedule this week.
Monday,
September 10th, and Tuesday, September 11th, will be the new beginner class start dates for afterschool
students. (3 pm)  It is also the start of September Mon/Wed evening beginner
class.  (6:30 pm)
Regular Tuesday Thursday classes and the homeschool class on Wednesday, again, Florence permitting.
September
12th will see the
UNCW students coming in on Wednesday evenings.  High school fencers from
any
school are also welcome for what I hope will be come sort of a combined
and friendly NCFL practice.  You can save destroying each other for NCFL
meets.  Fencing for the UNCW students and the high school students is
free on Wednesday nights (NO floor fees).  However, it is necessary for
all fencers to have some level of USA Fencing membership due to our
insurance requirements.  The $10 non-competitive membership is fine. 
Let me know if you have problems navigating the site.
On September 15-16, Mid-South will be hosting a sabre only RYC.  Check usafencing.org for more info.
Weather
permitting, on Saturday the 15th, I will be with Kenyatta Sanford
promoting the club at the Feast of the Pirates Event.  If there is to be
a Saturday practice someone else will need to open and close.  I will
keep everyone informed regarding what is up.
Our
first event this season will be on September 22nd.  It will be open
foil at 9:30 am, open epee at 12:30 pm, and open sabre at 3:30 pm.
Thanks to everyone who has already signed up.  The epee has got some
good numbers and ranks and the foil is picking up some people,  Sabre
fencers need to get signed up, plus we could use some of our “heavy
hitters” to get the ranks up.  If you are coming, get signed up now! 
There are no
other local events listed for that date and people will probably be
looking for someplace to fence their first event of the season, knock
some rust off, or just get out of the house after the storm.
Richmond
will be hosting an RYC (Regional Youth Circuit) on September 22-23.  It
has Y-10, Y-12, and Y 14 events.  This is that next step for those of
you who have been competing in the local youth events.  It will be much
harder as it will be the best fencers from clubs throughout the Atlantic
Coast region.  You will need a full uniform, so if you are interested,
talk to Herman or I about ordering or borrowing gear.  Check at
usafencing.org for more information.  Do realize that entry fees will be
higher than they are for local events.
I am
looking at September 29 for our first youth (12 and under) event, and I
think that will be pretty solid.  10 am foil start, epee at 2 pm, sabre
at 3:30 pm.  Trophies to the top three finishers in each weapon and
ties, medals to the top three 9 and under fencers unless they won a
trophy.  Swords for the top boy and girl, as determined by season long
points, and the person voted by the other fencers as showing the best
sportsmanship over the course of the season.  Volunteer foil referees are greatly appreciated.
For adults on that date, Apex is is holding unsanctioned men’s foil, women’s foil, and mixed epee.

Fredericksburg,
VA, has announced a fall SYC (Super Youth Circuit), October 6-8,
(Saturday, Sunday, Monday). 
Y-10, Y-12, and Y-14 events.  More information is under events at the
USA Fencing website.  Super youth circuits are a level up from Regional
youth circuits.  They are the step below going to National level events,
but it isn’t absolutely necessary that you take this in a step like
approach.

pax vobiscum,

Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon