Where to fence?

[Chris Fox]

Hey all,

I've been lurking on the forums on and off for a month, so thought I'd register and add myself to the mix :P

I haven't been fencing long (since January last year), but I'm very keen to improve. Currently in my final year of my degree, and I'm hoping to do a lot of fencing in the next couple of years if I manage to come away with a 2/1.

I'm pretty lucky up in Durham, as there are lots of opportunities to fence (about 5 times a week), whereas my parents have moved to the middle of no where now and the only club I've found is small and 40 minutes away. So, I was wondering where, in your opinion, was the best place to fence in the world for two or three months solidly. Don't know how much cash I can get together, but hoping it would be enough to pay for flights anywhere, and live frugally. I'd like to fence for a lot each day so that it was worth it (so I wouldn't be intending on working where I ended up going - it would just be to fence). My coach has suggested Hungary as a possibility. I think the earliest I'd be doing this would be sometime next year, most probably as late as Sept, so I'd have a bit more experience by then.

Cheers, Chris

[Grey]

Then by all means go to Sergei Golubitsky's place in italy. = )

[Chris Fox]

"Programs are tailored primarily for advanced and national level competition foil fencers, from 12 years old to adult. We want to help coach and encourage you to improve your skills and develop a passion for fencing that will last a lifetime."

?

Of course, it's wicked that you're so optimistic about my chances to improve to that level in 18 months or so, but I'm not sure I'll make it . Where do you think I would get the most out of considering how long I've been fencing for? I'm really looking for somewhere where I can 6 hours a day or something...really aware that I started this sport very late, so I want to throw as much into it as I can before I have to get start a career etc.

[Zelda]

Chris, I know its probably not what you are looking for but Lazlo used to run week long camps in the summer holidays based at Durham. I did one about 4 years ago and was totally stuffed by the end of the week. Robert Kiss used to take the foil and epeeists and let me tell you we worked really hard. 2 mile run before breakfast!!! (and no getting out of it).

[Chris Fox]

yeah, quite a lot of mates go to that one. I went to Millfield last year, which was quite cool - might be looking at Hungary this year which has similarly evil warm up sessions Unfortunately, they apparently haven't had enough foil interest, so I think the durham training camp is just for sabreurs (though epeeists might be in there too) this year. Really hoping for somewhere where I can fence for 2 or 3 months solidly, but thanks for pointing that one out.

[Zelda]

The Hungry camp is apparently quite good, a friend went a year or so ago.....I would love to go, but cant afford it.

[rory]

I did the Hungary thing for about eight months.
Flights for £200 return and rented a flat for just about £120 per month (big flat, on my own). I had a lesson a day from Zsolt Nemeth (one of the Hungarian team coaches) at Honved and fenced at both Junior and Senior squad training sessions.
The best time of my life, and thoroughly recommended.

Having said that, emptying my bank account out there meant I couldn't train or compete properly for nearly a year afterwards, thus losing most of my edge: but the difference to my distance and timing is still apparent, and the fitness is coming back.

Do it. You won't regret it.

[Grey]

You never know. When theres a will theres a way. I started fencing for only about a year or two and I've made alot of progress so far... Have faith in yourself, and most of all be ever more determined than the rest.

[Chris Fox]

Originally Posted by rory

I did the Hungary thing for about eight months.
Flights for £200 return and rented a flat for just about £120 per month (big flat, on my own). I had a lesson a day from Zsolt Nemeth (one of the Hungarian team coaches) at Honved and fenced at both Junior and Senior squad training sessions.
The best time of my life, and thoroughly recommended.

Having said that, emptying my bank account out there meant I couldn't train or compete properly for nearly a year afterwards, thus losing most of my edge: but the difference to my distance and timing is still apparent, and the fitness is coming back.

Do it. You won't regret it.

That sounds exactly what I need Think I'll work to get as much cash as I can and go for it - I really want to take every opportunity to improve; I'm completely addicted

Cheers, Chris

[rory]

Speak to Laszlo... he can probably get you set up with regular lessons & so on. He may also know someone who'd let you rent a room/flat.

[Chris Fox]

Yeah, he mentioned something about the possibility of staying in his house when I chatted to him a couple of months ago, though he said that the best time to go would be September when it's not too hot, and I've already got a house rented in Durham for then (which is why I'd like to do this in 18 months time or so). I need to improve a hell of a lot before I can consider dedicating that much time/money to it, so really going to focus in the next year and a half when this degree is over. He taught me flicks for the first time earlier today, which was cool . I've wanted to learn since I began, but also didn't want to leap into to it when I wasn't ready.