Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Skeletorsnell · 03-09-2006, 06:23 PM

I'm coming back from college, and I need a place to go to find some quality fencing, even if its not in PA but somewhere close by would be nice.

Philistine · 03-09-2006, 07:09 PM

Where in Northeastern PA?

I was from up around there, but moved down to Philly, where there is considerably more fencing.

In Scranton is The Fencing Exchange.

Kings College, in Wilkes-Barre, has a club Kings College Fencing Club (Link isn't working for me now).

Here is a list of clubs in PA, including Northeast PA division (which is a new division in the USFA).

From the Harrisburg Division website (there is substantial overlap between Harrisburg Div. & NE division) is this list of contacts (not sure how up-to-date it is):

Organization Location Contact Email Phone
Bloomsburg University FC Bloomsburg Rock King n/a n/a
Fencing Exchange Scranton John Proctor fencing@tunk.com 570.969.1224
Kings College Fencing Wilkes-Barre Edward Kane, Jr ed.kane@bdfencing.com 717.541.0449
Luzerne Comm College FC NE Pennsylvania Steven Legas n/a n/a
Pocono Fencing Club NE Pennsylvania Doyle Nelson n/a n/a
Penn State Hazleton FC Hazleton Greg Spahr gxs34@psu.edu 570.450.3342
Wilkes Fencing Wilkes-Barre Dan McCune n/a n/a

Depending on where in NE PA you are, it's probably at least 1 to 2 hours to any club other than those listed.

--Philistine

XBallardite · 03-09-2006, 08:35 PM

Hi there!

I don't know how close you are to Easton, but I'm part of a fledgling club that just started up at the Easton YMCA. As far as I know, we're the only non-collegiate fencing club in the Lehigh Valley.

Send me an e-mail if you're interested:
richterific@yahoo.com

Skeletorsnell · 03-10-2006, 12:29 AM

if anyone knows where "Scranton" is. ive been to the fencing exchange, im lookin for a more competitive club, im 2 hours north of philly, but willing to travel to find good competition to get better.

please help.

damianip · 03-10-2006, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

if anyone knows where "Scranton" is. ive been to the fencing exchange, im lookin for a more competitive club, im 2 hours north of philly, but willing to travel to find good competition to get better.

please help.

Where are you exactly?

What's your weapon? BCAF in Lambertville NJ (across the river from New Hope) has a pretty decent size contingent of "elderly" epeeists ranging from U to A (there are 5 A's, a few Bs and Cs and 8 or 9 others below that, all of who are fairly active in competitions.)

How far east in PA are you? In Bridgewater, NJ, Medeo just opened their new facility. They are pretty good in epee and foil. Sabre, I'm not sure of.

Paolo

oiuyt · 03-10-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

if anyone knows where "Scranton" is. ive been to the fencing exchange, im lookin for a more competitive club, im 2 hours north of philly, but willing to travel to find good competition to get better.

please help.

Well, 2 hours from Scranton you can get to either Philly or NYC. There are a number of Northern NJ clubs that likely fit what you are looking for that are a small bit closer than that. Realisitcally, less than two hours away you are unlikely to find much significantly better than FEX (I've been to a tournament at FEX, I'm familiar with the level of fencing, and I understand why you are looking for a more competition-oriented club). You're kind of in a dead-zone other than FEX.

-B

RITFencing · 03-10-2006, 03:07 AM

I think Nell Lazar coaches out by binghamton, and he's a former (very former, like 1956) olympian who has kept up with the game; you might try googling him or asking a guy on the forum named Darius; he and Neil know each other.

I've been to a FEX tournament too, so I know what you mean. However, they do have an event coming up this month that pays a percentage of everyone's entry fee to the top three competitors, so maybe I might go down for some (hopefully) easy cash.

darius · 03-10-2006, 03:23 AM

I've taken a few lessons with Neil Lazar; while they're not entirely consistent with lessons from a more modern fencing coach, he has quite a lot to teach. Despite being advanced in age, his mind and eyes are quite sharp. He understands and sees the game quite well, and has some great stories to tell.

That's not quite the same as a competitive club, but in the absence of anything fencing-related, it might be better than nothing.

darius

Skeletorsnell · 03-13-2006, 02:27 AM

Thank you very much, now I'm not saying im an "A" fencer, i actually just started this semester, but i have shown immense improvement, and finished very highly in my regional for ncaa's and i even beat the number 1 finisher from our regional in pool play, all i need is the facilities to continue on improving. does this affect the choices of where to go at all?

Philistine · 03-13-2006, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

Thank you very much, now I'm not saying im an "A" fencer, i actually just started this semester, but i have shown immense improvement, and finished very highly in my regional for ncaa's and i even beat the number 1 finisher from our regional in pool play, all i need is the facilities to continue on improving. does this affect the choices of where to go at all?

How far are you willing to drive?

--Philistine

cmedalis · 03-13-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

if anyone knows where "Scranton" is. ive been to the fencing exchange, im lookin for a more competitive club, im 2 hours north of philly, but willing to travel to find good competition to get better.

please help.

Depending on how much travel you want: there is a club in Williamsport, part of the NEPA division.

There's several competitive clubs in the Harrisburg Division, and Philly.
H'Burg's Black Diamond Fencing is a straight shot down I-81, and FAP in philly is easy to get to from the TurnPike.

Harrisburg area fencers (Particularly those in Lancaster county) regularly travel to Maryland via I-83 to fence in the Baltimore area clubs (again easty trip from I-81-> I-83).

I haven't seen or heard of much activity from King's, Wilkes or PSU-Hazleton, but since my relatives are up that way, I wish there was more fencing, then I may actually visit once in a while.

Skeletorsnell · 03-13-2006, 10:02 PM

im willing to drve 2-3hrs id say..

oiuyt · 03-13-2006, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

im willing to drve 2-3hrs id say..

Manhattan has some of the best clubs in the country and is within your designated driving range.

What weapon are you?

-B

Philistine · 03-14-2006, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeletorsnell

im willing to drve 2-3hrs id say..

Within 2-3 hours of Scranton there are a number of very good clubs. All the Philly clubs, New York City, and Harrisburg are all reachable. As a sabre fencers, I'm really not that up on epee clubs, but from your other threads, you're still new--so my guess is any of the larger clubs would would be fine (FAP in Philly, BCAF in Lambertville spring to mind--both about 2 hours from you). Maybe you can get some feedback from epee fencers in Philly, NY & NJ making suggestions. I'd call/email around and find the club with the best hours/programs for you, since you look to be travelling for so long.

Good luck!

--Philistine

Skeletorsnell · 03-14-2006, 02:53 PM

I fence Epee

qatet · 03-14-2006, 03:40 PM

The Fencing Academy of Philadelphia has very good epee, in a wide variety of levels and ages - generally Tuesday and Thursday evenings. You are more than welcome to come in and try us out. Or ask if you have further questions about showing up.

tallntender · 03-14-2006, 04:16 PM

qatet and damianip are right.

The Philadelphia epee cadre is strong, with friendly young and old fencers of many abilities (from beginner to potential olympian).

You are likely to find it easier to drive to Lambertville NJ (site of the Bucks County Academy of Fencing) than to downtown Philadelphia (the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia is near Drexel).

Tuesday is an epee night in both salles. FAP has epee again on Thursday evening. At BCAF, it's Friday.

Medeo in north Jersey has some respectable epee fencers. They're said to be moving to a new location soon, having promised to do so for months.

Enjoy!