A question to UK fencers

[Lemberg]

Hi, I'm going to be in the London area between Dec 22 - Jan 10th and was wondering whether some local clubs will be holding practices (esp after Christmas) or perhaps even tournaments at that time? I'm visiting my parents who currently live there and was playing around with an idea of bringing my equipment along to get a few bouts in over the holidays. Oh yeah, and I fence epee...
Any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Dmitry

[Zilverzmurfen]

I'm not from the UK (just trying to be a good sport!) but I found this for you.

In addition you could ask at the UK Fencing Forum (kindly sponsored by Leon Paul). Best of luck!

[Tiwaz]

British Fencing
There should be a club list on this site. I think Reigate is just an epee club.

[Robert (2)]

Originally Posted by Lemberg

or perhaps even tournaments at that time?

There is a competition at Cambridge on the 8th and 9th. Take the following information with a pinch of salt because I may have got something wrong. You would be able to fence as long as you have an FIE licence. And you would need breaches (which I don't think you need for all US comps).

The competition is small and friendly and possible to get to from London. The entry form and details are at:

http://cambsfa.org.uk/cwt.html

Robert

[Alain]

Hi there,

You can find a complete lists of London clubs online at the BFA website: http://www.britishfencing.com/london_clubs.html

The club where I train is in Reading - mainly an épée club, easy to get to from London by train - and we have a club competition nighte every month. The link to our website is: http://www.readingfencingclub.net and for info about the competition have a look at: http://www.readingfencingclub.net/do...%20Trophy.html

The last competition night we held was last week, and we had 31 fencers turn up.

Have a safe trip and happy holidays!

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by Robert (2)

And you would need breaches (which I don't think you need for all US comps).

Just for reference, all USFA competitions require adhering to nearly identical rules to the BFA rules, and which, in the area of whether or not breaches are required, are identical.

We don't have requirements that clothing follow the CE regulations, so if those come into play by next month THAT'S something that Lemberg needs to know about. Can't remember offhand what the date for those going into effect is/was.

That said, whether or not the organizers of every little local event (especially those aimed at novices) actually ENFORCE the requirements for fencing breaches is another story. But they are required to do so.

Is an FIE license required or does the BFA generally recognize that as long as a fencer is a member of his/her NGB that that's good enough? The year when I did a couple of comps in England I had an FIE license so I never bothered trying to get a definitive answer on that one.

-B :)

[Dave]

The CE regulations don't come in to effect till 2006.

The cambridge winter tournament

http://cambsfa.org.uk/cwt.html

[The Armourer]

Originally Posted by Alain

The club where I train is in Reading - mainly an épée club, easy to get to from London by train - and we have a club competition nighte every month. The link to our website is: http://www.readingfencingclub.net

Come along to us and we won't even charge you any visitors fees - can't be fairer than that. I hope you call in.

[sabreur]

Homonym police here--no one move.

A breach is a hole or gap in something ("Once more to the breach...")

Breeches are pants or what Americans call "knickers."

Thank you, and have a nice day.

MR

[veeco]

Originally Posted by Dave

The CE regulations don't come in to effect till 2006.

It might be different in the UK, but CE regulations are in effect already in France, so I am surprised they are not in the UK. But then again, the UK might have a different set of decrees to ratify or something.

In any case, CE regulations affect only the sale and loaning of fencing equipment. You can fence in a competition with non CE equipment, as long as it satisfies the FIE/NGB requirements.

You cannot, however, sell fencing clothing (that includes glove, mask, underarm, knickers, and jacket) that doesn't have a CE tag to someone in Europe. You also cannot loan them equipment that doesn't have a CE tag. For instance, if you are a fencing club and have club equipment you loan to beginners or newcommers, this equipment has to have a CE tag, even if the loan is done for free.

[oiuyt]

Originally Posted by veeco

In any case, CE regulations affect only the sale and loaning of fencing equipment. You can fence in a competition with non CE equipment, as long as it satisfies the FIE/NGB requirements.

Specifically I was referring to the NGB requirements of the BFA. I recall that there is some date after which all competition equipment used it British competitions must meet CE or FIE standards. If an American with non-FIE gear is planning to fence in Britain then knowing whether or not that date has occurred is a significant bit of information.

Completely separate issue from whether or not LP/Duelist/whomever can sell non-CE equipment, which, for the most part, has little to no effect on Lemberg's plans.

-B :)

[Dave]

Originally Posted by veeco

You can fence in a competition with non CE equipment, as long as it satisfies the FIE/NGB requirements.

Sorry what I meant was that as of the 1st of January 2006 if you want to fence in the UK under the auspices of the BFA you will have to wear CE fencing kit, up till that point it is not mandatory.

[veeco]

That's interesting. Does the BFA specify what level of CE protection you should have? If I recall correctly there are 2 levels, which basically correspond to 350N and 800N for uniforms and 800N and 1600N for masks.

[Dave]

the details are here


http://www.britishfencing.com/safetystandards.htm

essentially 350N (CEN1)for everything except plastrons which have to be 800N(CEN2).

These rules apply to competitions and fencing in a club, no kit no insurance.

[Epeecurean]

Originally Posted by Lemberg

Hi, I'm going to be in the London area between Dec 22 - Jan 10th and was wondering whether some local clubs will be holding practices (esp after Christmas)

Where in London will you be?

For North London, there is Haverstock Fencing Club, which is solely an epee club. Practices are held T/W/Th resuming on the 4th of January.

http://www.haverstockfencingclub.co.uk/

[drippingwet]

Was that a real London club in the James Bond flick?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by drippingwet

Was that a real London club in the James Bond flick?

Yes - and no - it seems.