Clubs in Southern California?

[dopluke]

Hi Everyone,

I've been out of the sport for a while since moving to the Los Angeles area.
I'm looking for a good and strong club to retrain and get back into the swing of things. Any reccomendations?

And of course, I mean a club's focus is ONLY on fencing and not teaching stage combat to actors.

Thanks!

Luke

[prototoast]

It would help to know what weapon you fence.

http://socalfence.org/

That's the division website... lists the clubs.

[oiuyt]

Looking at the SoCal divisional championships results would likely be a good place to start, unfortunately I seem to be getting a lot of 404 errors when I try.

Looking at last year's results it looks like a good mix of clubs with people near the top in most weapons. WF was dominated by BHFC. WS by CalTech.

If I were you I'd poke around the results pages a bit and try to figure out where the best (or most active) people are coming from. Hope the suggestion helps.

-B :)

[achilleus]

Given SoCal's size, location is key.

As is the weapon of choice, and level of fencing desired.

One of the largest and most competitive is Los Angeles International Fencing Center .

Some of their results can found by checking out the results for the section championships at the Pacfic Coast Section .

Hope that helps.

[dopluke]

Sorry, should have mentioned that Epee is my weapon of choice. Eep!

Thanks for so many prompt replies.


-Luke

[ReverseLunge]

Hi Everyone,

I've been out of the sport for a while since moving to the Los Angeles area.
I'm looking for a good and strong club to retrain and get back into the swing of things. Any reccomendations?

And of course, I mean a club's focus is ONLY on fencing and not teaching stage combat to actors.

Thanks!

Luke

Where do you live in LA?

[dopluke]

Distance isn't so much the concern. My club in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Area was an hour away.

I live in Glendale, I fence Epee (I'm interested in picking up Sabre), I'm interested in working on my footwork and getting back into competition strength/shape. I think that's it, I hope I haven't forgotten anything. Silly me, I'm sure I have.

-Luke

[ReverseLunge]

The los Angeles Fencing Center is right in Glendale but they are primarily a foil school and their attitude is very uncool. I think they are all about making money. Fortune fencing in Pasadena iis completely epee. I guess you best bet would be The los Angeles International fencing Center, They have an EXTREMELY strong epee and saber program and their coaches are the best in California for those 2 weapons.

[achilleus]

The los Angeles Fencing Center is right in Glendale but they are primarily a foil school and their attitude is very uncool. I think they are all about making money. Fortune fencing in Pasadena iis completely epee. I guess you best bet would be The los Angeles International fencing Center, They have an EXTREMELY strong epee and saber program and their coaches are the best in California for those 2 weapons.

For epee or sabre in SoCal, you can't go wrong with LAIFC. Their results say it all, plus they have three members of qualify for the olympics.

LAFC, run by Derek Cotton, is a foil club. I've been there once or twice, and never felt an "uncool" vibe.

[ReverseLunge]

LAFC, run by Derek Cotton, is a foil club. I've been there once or twice, and never felt an "uncool" vibe.

I've never been there but I heard that they are elitists.

[DHCJr]

There is one problem with LAIFC and Swordplay, before Sam's pops in. One of the requirements listed was "And of course, I mean a club's focus is ONLY on fencing and not teaching stage combat to actors."

That sort of knocks out those two.

[achilleus]

There is one problem with LAIFC and Swordplay, before Sam's pops in. One of the requirements listed was "And of course, I mean a club's focus is ONLY on fencing and not teaching stage combat to actors."

That sort of knocks out those two.

You sure you mean Los Angeles International FC? And not Los Angeles FC?

LAFC being in Glendale, and in addition to getting a non-profit organization for youth fencers, has recently advertised for theatrical classes.

I can assure you however, Derek Cotton is focused on competitive fencing.

If you mean LAIFC, well, their competitive record alone speaks for themselves. At the recent sectional championships, the took the top 3 spots in the individual men's epee.

[DHCJr]

I took the quote directly from dopluke, where he wrote ONLY. I am not knocking LAIFC's Fencing record. I just wanted to give a complete answer.

If dopluke were to go to LAIFC, would he see advertisement for Theatrical Fencing classes at LAIFC? Might they also see ads for Gymnastic or similar activities?

I have never seen ads to teach Theatrical Fencing at LAFC, but as you noted, it's strongest weapon is Foil, but it does do the other weapons.

I believe in giving the questioner a complete answer.

[achilleus]

I took the quote directly from dopluke, where he wrote ONLY. I am not knocking LAIFC's Fencing record. I just wanted to give a complete answer.

If dopluke were to go to LAIFC, would he see advertisement for Theatrical Fencing classes at LAIFC? Might they also see ads for Gymnastic or similar activities?

I have never seen ads to teach Theatrical Fencing at LAFC, but as you noted, it's strongest weapon is Foil, but it does do the other weapons.

I believe in giving the questioner a complete answer.

Ah, I see. Technically, a great answer.

However, LAIFC does not, to my knowledge deal with much theatrical fencing. Gymnastics, yes. But their focus, as is LAFC, is competitive fencing.

Knowing that dopluke was referring to a specific club in the area which focuses on stage combat, it should be important to note that neither LAIFC nor LAFC are like that.

[Purple Fencer]

Well, since Donald mentioned me...

SwordPlay DOES offer stage combat classes (and dang good ones...our people are GOOD!), but we DO have serious competitive foil classes, an epee coach, and I do sabre...check out the instructor list at http://www.swordplayla.com

Don't count us out just because we offer stage combat...this IS next to Hollywood, after all...and IIRC, Westside Fencing Center ALSO had someone who taught stage combat.

[counterattack]

Sorry, should have mentioned that Epee is my weapon of choice. Eep!

-Luke

As someone who fences epee against the SoCal guys a few times a season, I would have to agree with Achilleus: LAIFC is the way to go. Their top fencers are very scary and the progress I have seen in their other fencers over the last year is pretty dramatic. I only wish I lived close enough to train there.

[germanguy]

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