Fencing in Vancouver?

[hello?]

I will be in Vancouver for work a couple of weeks towards the end of this month. Does anyone know a good club that might have open epee fencing at night? Thank you!

[Lemberg]

Your best bet for epee is Dynamo fencing club located near the Vancouver International Airport, just 20 minutes on the bus from the downtown. To let the actions speak for themselves, at the last Canadian Elite Circuit event in Saskatoon (Dec 2005) 5 people from Dynamo were in the top 20 in Senior Men's epee, and one of us had won gold in that event. Another fencer of ours had finished 3rd in Junior Women's epee at the same competition. We are the home to 1 senior, 1 junior and potentially 2 more junior/cadet national team members + the top male and top female pentathletes in Canada. For the last 5 years we have qualified at least one junior/cadet fencer for the cadet/junior world championship team. Our head coach Victor is also one of the Junior/Cadet National Team coaches. We train Mon-Wed-Fri 7pm - 9pm, Sunday: 10 am - noon. There is almost never less than 10 epeeists present at practices. At times we have as many as 30.... For more info, look at www.dynamofencing.com
Hope to see you there!

[slain4sooth]

awesome! i may be moving to van soon. any recommendations for foil there?

(unfortunately fencing club sites tend to be minimally informative and of course not likely to contain good evaluations of themselves...)

[Fencergrl]

Vanguard is also a really good club for Epee (and they do a little foil). National team members fence at either Vanguard or Dynamo.

LaSalle is a foil club.

All the club listings can be found on the BC Fencing website.

http://www.bcfencing.ca/cgi/page.cgi?_id=83

If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

[Lemberg]

LaSalle is definitely the place for foil. They are also the first club to have obtained a full time space, and it's located ina very nice part of town. Couple of good experienced coaches and a number of strong fencers there.

[Fencergrl]

My dear... when have you stepped foot in our club last??? Or do women don't count???

[Lemberg]

Woops my bad ...... forgot about Magda. You must've read this before I edited it.

[Fencergrl]

Thank-you... I’m not looking to put down your club so be kind when discussing mine.

Besides club members and drop-ins that are National/ near National level/ retired for competitive fencing, there are also beginners and recreational fencers....both Dynamo & Vanguard offers a range of experienced and inexperienced fencers, as I am sure some of the other clubs do as well.

Choosing a club is about personal preference. Hours of operation, distance to your home or work, coaching style and fellow fencers all play a role in the decision.

[canuck]

Currently there is no one from Vanguard on the national team in mens or womens. The only two clubs that have anyone on the canadian national team at the moment are Dynamo (T. Bajgoric and Gantsevich) and Victoria (Kwon). Dynamo is mostly epee, but its sabre programs are growing very rapidly. We also have foil fencing in community programs and have a few fencers that fence foil at the club.

[Fencergrl]

Welcome to the forum Canuck. Nice to see another Dynamo member.

I apologize for misspeaking regarding the number of National team members. I think of Magda as representing our country as she fences in Europe and was mentioned as a National team member in Sherraine’s book. Laurie also represented our country when he took bronze at the Vancouver World Cup last year… but he is not currently on our National team. Neither are those who have A’s and B’s in the US, but not in Canada.

I should have said “elite" fencers instead.

[canuck]

Im very glad that you are so happy to see another dynamo member. That did not take long for a reply.

[Lemberg]

Ok be nice lil' man. It's all technicalities. We're good people, just really really proud, Fencregrl We've even gots a club anthem (well most of my teammates are too self-conscious to sing it but that's just cuz they don't realize how awesome it is).

[Fencergrl]

LOL... Thanks, L'berg you're a gentleman on and off the strip.

But man... the Dynamo club pride stuff gets tiring. Yes, it is a great club... but so are a lot of other clubs. And choosing one is a personal decision for new fencers to Vancouver.

[hello?]

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I hope to see you there!

[Lemberg]

But man... the Dynamo club pride stuff gets tiring.

Methinks that our tendency to this aggressive expression of our pride stems from the accumulated frustration of our accomplishments, and above all, our coach, being constantly underappreciated by the movers and shakers in the local fencing organization... But I really don't want to talk about it.

[oso97]

Methinks that our tendency to this aggressive expression of our pride stems from the accumulated frustration of our accomplishments, and above all, our coach, being constantly underappreciated by the movers and shakers in the local fencing organization... But I really don't want to talk about it.

Just a word here, if I may. I've seen this kind of attitude infect and destroy some really good clubs here in the US, and poison the entire fencing enterprise around them.

What is it you would like your local movers and shakers to do for you? Sing your praises from the steps of the provincial capital building? Present your coach with gold roses at each tournament? Declare Dynamo the "one true home for good fencing in Vancouver?"

Settle down and let the accomplishments speak for themselves. And realize that there are good fencers at other clubs, and the fact that they don't fence with you isn't a slur on your club honor.

[Lemberg]

Thanks for your comments, oso. You are right and I complain too much sometimes. Let's leave it at that. My apologies to everyone. I sincerely hope that none of what I said will be used to form negative opinions of my club or clubmates. I am just an idiot running his mouth on a forum here, no need to equate my words with a standpoint of a great club I belong to.

[hello?]

It now looks as if I am only there for a week, not two, so -- depending on work -- I might or might not be able to make it. I am staying at The Opus Hotel (not sure of spelling). Is it feasible to get to any of these clubs by cab? Thank you!

[Lemberg]

Depends what you consider feasible...... Going to either Dynamo or Vanguard by cab would probly cost you quite a bit (at least 25 bucks one way ... You could probably get a ride on the way back with someone but I'd check into the public transportation nevertheless. Another possible option regarding Dynamo though, is if your hotel has a free/cheap shuttle to the airport (Opus is rather fancy so it might). Sea Island Elementary School where Dynamo trains is literally the first building not associated with the airport one sees when they drive into the city from the main terminal at YVR. So when you're on your way from teh airport when you just arrive, look on your right for a fairly small school with a soccer field in front of it - you can't really miss it, it stands on its own separating airport-related facilities and small residential houses. So you'll know where to go right away.
Hope this helps.

[Fencergrl]

I agree… Opus is right downtown in a nice district (Yaletown). Lots to do while you’re in Vancouver within walking distance, but no fencing clubs.

If you decide to not venture in to the ‘burbs for fencing, I suggest:

Walking down to Stanley Park, there’s a seawall surrounding the park giving you some nice views. The walkway (near the water) in Yaletown, goes all long the water and eventually you end up in Stanley Park. It is a very long walk (several miles). So if that sounds a bit too ambitious then catch the Davie Street bus to English Bay, which is one of the entrances into the park.

Walk or Bus to Granville Island. This is a funky farmers/ crafts market. A great place to grab a bite to eat or try some beer at the micro-brewery (Granville Island Beer).

Walk or Bus to Gastown for music, more touristy stores…. Gastown borders on our downtown skid row area. So don't be too alarmed if you walk there, or when you get to the end of the street and you're suddenly looking at old buildings and people living in the street.

Or you can hang around Yale town… lots of trendy bars, coffee shops and stores.

Generally I find Vancouver a pretty safe city. I have felt nervous wandering about day or night…. but then again it’s my hometown and I know it well.

A word of warning about our weather…the weather is quite mild, but this is a rainforest and the weather changes often. If you are used to a dry climate, you may want to dress in layers. I love the moist air and never find it cold. Most people from out of town find it cold because of the dampness. It depends what you're used to.

Enjoy you visit to our city.