Toronto (GTA) Fencing clubs question

[Lone Musketeer]

Are there any members here who have fenced with (or are members) of the Metro Blades or the Newmarket Fencing Club?
I'm looking to join a club and I used to fence epee and some (read very little) foil. I'd like to fence both weapons again. Metro Blades in foil only, and Newmarket seems to be mostly epee.

I'm looking for insight/input from people regarding the clubs and how they rate. What training is available? Are you on your own or is there expert advice to be had? Is it more recreational or more competition oriented?
That sort of thing anyway.

[kalivor]

Both the clubs you mention are more "recreation" oriented clubs. Mike McDonnell (Newmarket's coach) used to be an assistant coach with both the Queen's and RMC University teams, so he has coached in a (relatively low-level) competitive environment in the past. I've never practiced at either club, though, so I can't give you much more insight on what sort of training goes on there.

If you want to be competitive, though, I'd suggest either the Toronto Fencing Club (for epee), the University of Toronto club (for either, though I think they're stronger in foil), or maybe Beaches. Beaches is primarily sabre, but they've recently added foil and epee to the mix. Marian Zakrzewski coaches there, and he's as good a coach as you'll find in Toronto. On the downside (upside?) he also coaches at the Oakville Fencing Club, and is in the midst of starting a new club in Mississauga, so I'm not sure how often you'll actually manage to catch him in Toronto.

[Lone Musketeer]

Do you mind if I ask which club you belong to?
What weapon do you prefer?

[kalivor]

Do you mind if I ask which club you belong to?
What weapon do you prefer?

Well, I don't actually live in Toronto, so none of the above. I'm a foilist, and practice at McMaster (in Hamilton) and Excelsior (in Waterloo).

There are a number of other clubs in the area -- you can get a complete list at http://www.fencing.on.ca/directory/ -- but I either know absolutely nothing about the others, or they have little or no epee program.