Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

epeeisky · 06-22-2006, 11:02 AM

I am about to move to Shreveport for school(Centenary). I did my homework and found that there are two clubs in the area. The first is Fencing on Fairfield Ave. run by Andy Shaw. His fees are $60 a month, and he is a nationally known coach. The other club is Shreveport Fencer's Club. Their fees are $40 a month, while I don't know much about the coach, they did produce a World Champion(Kentucky) in foil. Both are relatively close to the school, so disctance does not matter. I was wondering if anyone could offer some closer insight other than what could be found on the internet. Thanks.

KD5MDK · 06-22-2006, 11:28 AM

http://www.almdiv.org/BusinessDivisi...mber_clubs.htm

Southfield School is a middle school I think, certainly not what you're looking for.
Caddo Magnet and CMAFF really aren't suitable for non-students either, I think.
I've visited the Shreveport Fencer's Club and they have a very nice facility. Everything a club could want, except possibly that the vault worked for fun and games.

fencingaddict · 06-22-2006, 11:43 AM

You should visit both clubs and see which one is more suited to your personality. You'll be able to pick up the vibes at both with a personal visit and that will help you decide.

oso97 · 06-22-2006, 12:23 PM

Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that Andy Shaw is a nationally reknown referee. However, he has retired from active refereeing.

Both Fairfield Avenue Fencing and and SwordSports/Shreveport Fencing Club are fairly small clubs. Be warned though, you're about to step into a hotbed of insanity. Both facilities are fairly decent, and with nice amenities. One question that I would definitely ask the prospective coaches, as it will reveal a lot about their relative philosophies and general ideas is "Would you have a problem if I were to occationally fence at the other club?"

In fact, this is something that I'd recomend ANYONE shopping around for a coach to ask, the answer reveals much about their general philosophy and ideas.

OROD · 06-22-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oso97

Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that Andy Shaw is a nationally reknown referee...

And USFA historian!!

.

rcmatthews · 06-22-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oso97

Actually, it would be more appropriate to say that Andy Shaw is a nationally reknown referee. However, he has retired from active refereeing.

Both Fairfield Avenue Fencing and and SwordSports/Shreveport Fencing Club are fairly small clubs. Be warned though, you're about to step into a hotbed of insanity. Both facilities are fairly decent, and with nice amenities. One question that I would definitely ask the prospective coaches, as it will reveal a lot about their relative philosophies and general ideas is "Would you have a problem if I were to occationally fence at the other club?"

In fact, this is something that I'd recomend ANYONE shopping around for a coach to ask, the answer reveals much about their general philosophy and ideas.

Any coach that has a problem with cross polination is only hurting their club and their fencers.

Redblade · 06-23-2006, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcmatthews

Any coach that has a problem with cross pollenation is only hurting their club and their fencers.

Yes. But that doesn't preclude some from doing it anyhow. People are goofy.

Best advice: Show up and give each club a few chances yourself before making up your mind. And don't let the advice you find on Internet message boards set an early bias.

rcmatthews · 06-23-2006, 01:36 AM

My point is that if a perspective coach doesn't want you to fence at other clubs, unless they are a national level coach, you should probably look for someone else.

teamusaepee · 06-23-2006, 01:54 AM

Much to my surprise, I open up fencing.net and see "fencing in Shreveport, LA." I graduated from Centenary in December. I train at the Sword Sports (used to host Shreveport Fencing Club) club...the world cup medal you mentioned was mine, but it was epee, not foil

We have a small epee group and I'm in dire need of a training partner (I assumed you fence epee from your username), so if you or anyone else is interested you can PM me and I'll give you my e-mail.

epeeisky · 06-23-2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redblade

Yes. But that doesn't preclude some from doing it anyhow. People are goofy.

Best advice: Show up and give each club a few chances yourself before making up your mind. And don't let the advice you find on Internet message boards set an early bias.

I am using people's opinion as one of the several factors in my decision.

One of the people in my club is from Shreveport(didn't realise it) and he told me the whole story behind the whole situation. I didn't realise the "hotbed" I am about to get myself into.

teamusaepee · 06-24-2006, 12:26 AM

Haha, I was wondering why you didn't already know about it.

RebelFencer · 06-24-2006, 12:37 AM

Ahh, memories of the Ark-La-Miss division.

epeeisky · 06-24-2006, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamusaepee

Haha, I was wondering why you didn't already know about it.

The incident occured before I started fencing. Also, the Louisiana Div doesn't really see that much of the ALM. The only times I have ever seen a fencer from ALM is at the CCO and a tournament we had at BRFC.

KD5MDK · 06-24-2006, 01:29 AM

And vice versa, I've tended to notice. Though it is real nice seeing John Poirot visiting other Divisions. I remember the tournament where he went from a D to a B, it was a good one.

Chafunkta · 06-24-2006, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KD5MDK

And vice versa, I've tended to notice.

Hey, we're working on it. Next season, I'm sure we'll be taking plenty of trips out to the out-of-division tournaments. I'll just need to make my results better so you may actually remember me.