What to expect at NAC?

[Bugaboo]

When you make the transition from small, local events to a larger competition like the NAC, what differences should be expected? I'm interested in details about attitude, number of people, following formal rules (instead of the informal fudging at the local level - "Hey, Jimbo, wanna direct this bout? Let this guy borrow your foil, too, OK?"), etc.

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

[darius]

Be prepared!

Make sure you have your backup weapons/cords, and conforming gear, since they'll check for all the inspection marks you report to your pools.

If you can, try to check equipment (masks, lames, cords) the day before your event -- it helps avoid some of the huge lines that form right before events start. Also, if something doesn't pass, it gives you time to fix it and get it reinspected.

The venues are huge -- stay by your pool strip until it's over, so you won't miss any bouts. They'll do three calls before you forfeit, but there's no guarantee that George K. will pronounce your name right. (Wei = Vei? Vee? Wee? Way?)

Mostly, listen to your directors...if you're new at this whole thing, ask questions if you have them, don't cop an attitude, and most of the officials involved are plenty willing to help out.

darius

[arcon]

[ 10-19-2001: Message edited by: arcon ]

[Lumberg]

Good luck. Bring a camera to take pictures.

------------------
Lumberg.
"...ahhh, we have sort of a problem here... yeah, you apparently didn't put one of the new cover sheets on your TPS report"

[Bugaboo]

Ah, good feedback! Equipment inspection, "no cannon fodder" in pools, name calls -- THAT's the sort of thing I'm talking about. Anyone accustomed to small, local events may not even realize there's an equipment check, for example. And if you step away from the strip while they're calling your name, there's usually someone nice enough to run you down before it's way too late.

More details, please. Keep 'em coming.

[neevel]

Equipment Tests--

Body Cords: must have 1 Ohm or less in each line, and no crossover, and the A-line needs to be soldered to the croc. clip. If you check in during morning rush, you'll probably be limited to checking only two cords in order to keep things moving.

Mask cords for sabre: 1 Ohm, both clips must be soldered.

Lames & sabre cuffs: 5 ohms max resistance anywhere-- even a small dead spot will be disallowed. No holes or tears either (a problem that crops up with Infinity lames from time to time).

Mask: 12 Kg punch test. Sabre masks must be under 5 Ohms resistance on mask and bib. If the bib has come detached from the mask at any spot (happens with sabre masks not infrequently) it needs to be repaired.

Weapons: weights and shims tested on strip, not at check-in. There may be a self test station set up for fencers to use.

Name: Needs to be in blue block lettering ~10 cm high on back of jacket/lame, or back leg. Hand-lettering is acceptable-- you can put it on a piece of fabric and securely sew it to the jacket or knickers if you don't want it to be permanent. At the larger NACs, the Marxes will be there to do stenciling-- get your gear to them the day before to make sure it's done in time, $20. Saul at the Fencing Post should also have a stenciling set up if he's there.

If you check in the day before, when it's not busy, you may well find that the folks at the armory table will be kind enough to do any minor repairs found necessary on the spot.

Repairs: There is a USFA Armory repair booth (usually located near the equipent check-in booth) that will do equipment repairs for a price on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tim Loomis often has a repair booth, and the equipment vendors will sometimes also have repair booths running. Nevertheless, you should be able to do simple maintenance (like replacing/adjusting point springs) yourself.

When you get to the strip you must have at least one spare weapon and one spare checked body cord. Have a tightening tool and whatever else you want on hand there, too. Your won't be allowed to run across the venue to grab your allen wrench from your bag if your weapon loosens up.

-Dave

[escrime chick]

Your first NAC can be kind of overwhelming...try to keep your focus and don't pay attention to all the distractions around you. My first time I looked around the room at the sea of fencers and heard all the machines going off at once and was so awestruck that I didn't wake up and fence sensibly until the middle of my DE which, needless to say I lost! I ended up in last place, but it was a good experience.
oh, and by the way, the other thing to be prepared for is the grounded strips - if you're a foilist and you're used to having the off-target light go off when you hit the ground, it won't happen so don't stop fencing!
Good luck

[Bugaboo]

I may print these notes. Thanks.