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AaronK · 07-25-2006, 07:22 PM

Does anyone know of a fencing club that is (or was) exclusively women? I know that there were mens-only clubs in the past, but I am wondering if anybody knows of a club that is women-only.
Also, how many clubs have a womens' fencing class (class that is either women only, or designed around women's fencing)?

Thanks,
Aaron

RITFencing · 07-25-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronK

Does anyone know of a fencing club that is (or was) exclusively women? I know that there were mens-only clubs in the past, but I am wondering if anybody knows of a club that is women-only.
Also, how many clubs have a womens' fencing class (class that is either women only, or designed around women's fencing)?

Thanks,
Aaron

Closest I can come up with off the top of my head are some gender specific camps, usually held for national team members and hopefuls, and practices for NCAA teams which don't have the men and women share a practice time and space.

Fencergrl · 07-25-2006, 07:27 PM

Salle Auriol in Seattle has all women classes, practices and tournaments

The girls have come up to Vancouver (Canada) so we could have an all women's fencing and sushi eating party together.

Edit... you might want to consider arranging something similar.

sleepyweasle · 07-25-2006, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronK

Does anyone know of a fencing club that is (or was) exclusively women? I know that there were mens-only clubs in the past, but I am wondering if anybody knows of a club that is women-only.
Also, how many clubs have a womens' fencing class (class that is either women only, or designed around women's fencing)?

Thanks,
Aaron

ummm.... why?

AaronK · 07-25-2006, 07:30 PM

Thanks, I am really wondering more about long-term programs or clubs that cater to women exclusively. I know that there are camps, and high performance camps that will fit the bill- though I would have a different question if people were talking about camps. (I may post that later).
AK

KD5MDK · 07-25-2006, 07:30 PM

I believe Salle Mauro down in Houston was running a women's fencing class weekday mornings. Not sure how big it was.

AaronK · 07-25-2006, 07:31 PM

Why?
1. Curiosity
2. I was going to contact coach/manager/trainer of said club and interview them.

Fencergrl · 07-25-2006, 07:34 PM

Here's Salle Auriol's website.
Look under calendar for info on their classes.
http://salleauriol.com/home.shtml

NoFleche · 07-26-2006, 12:54 AM

Aaron--Businesses or clubs that only allow one gender to join might run afoul of state anti-discrimination laws, so I'm not sure you'll find too many exclusively "one-gender" clubs out there. Also, as profit margins for fencing clubs are thin, I'd be surprised to hear that any club would want to turn away a paying member because s/he is the wrong sex!

As previous posters have noted, I'll bet you find clubs offering women's classes or clinics, and I hope you keep us posted on whether these separate classes have been a successful marketing or training tool for clubs to use.

xcrunner · 07-26-2006, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronK

Why?
1. Curiosity

what a stud

sanadika · 07-26-2006, 02:26 AM

My experience has been it doesnt work. I thought working in an office of 300 women most over weight and in need of excercise, would love the oppurtunity to fence. i proposed the idea and had tremendous response. When i actually got the class established only a few showed up. after six months i had to open it to men/women.after a few months after that i realized the bread and butter of a club is kids. They are the ones with the most time and expendable cash that the parents are willing to spend on a sport activitity.

MyrddinsPrecint · 07-26-2006, 10:03 AM

I am in one of the aforementioned Collegiate organizations with just women--- But that's not because of Title 9, it's because Smith is all women.

But I imagine that we're not exactly what you're looking for.....

Phrogger · 07-26-2006, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoFleche

Aaron--Businesses or clubs that only allow one gender to join might run afoul of state anti-discrimination laws, so I'm not sure you'll find too many exclusively "one-gender" clubs out there. Also, as profit margins for fencing clubs are thin, I'd be surprised to hear that any club would want to turn away a paying member because s/he is the wrong sex!

I agree that this scenario is unlikely for a fencing club, but hardly illegal. I don't know about Nevada, but in most states "Private" organizations reserve the right to set whatever criteria they please for membership, including gender. Case in point: Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters is played, is still men-only. (Not that I agree with it, but it is a fact.)

rcmatthews · 07-26-2006, 02:21 PM

My club runs a class for younger women. I think with younger kids it is better to seperate the boys from the girls. The boys are generally much more agressive and have a tendancy to simply intimidate the more timid girls.

jaketheranger · 07-26-2006, 06:52 PM

Salle Auriol, as Aaron probably knows...having been to the club a number of times...has an organized women's program (foil, epee, and sabre), but is definitely not gender exclusive. I was never really clear on the purpose exactly...other than they like fencing each other better. Supposedly to develop a "women's game"?

Let 'em fence the boys, I say!

NWFC seems to be turning into a girl's only club. *wink*. Shape of things to come, Aaron?

Fencergrl · 07-26-2006, 07:12 PM

One coach prefers we don't do mix gender fencing. At first I thought this seemed rather sexist. As I got to know him, I realized that he’s training athletes to excel in their sport, and doesn’t believe we should practice what we won’t come across in competition.

Men and women fence differently. I try to avoid fencing men prior to any competition.

NoFleche · 07-26-2006, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phrogger

I agree that this scenario is unlikely for a fencing club, but hardly illegal. I don't know about Nevada, but in most states "Private" organizations reserve the right to set whatever criteria they please for membership, including gender. Case in point: Augusta National Golf Club, where the Masters is played, is still men-only. (Not that I agree with it, but it is a fact.)

Fencing "clubs" are not usually true "private" clubs like exclusive country clubs are.

Many fencing salles in the U.S. are open to the public, actively accept new students/members, and will thus be considered businesses that are places of public accommodation (and thus subject to state/local anti-discrimination laws).

Just like McDonald's can't say "no men allowed," most fencing clubs can't either. For example, California's Dep't of Fair Employment and Housing has sued and won against health clubs that advertise as "for women only." The well-known "Curves For Women" chain of gyms recently changed it name to Curves International, and they now admit men to their gyms in locations where there are gender-based anti-discrimination laws.

prototoast · 07-26-2006, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoFleche

Just like McDonald's can't say "no men allowed," most fencing clubs can't either. For example, California's Dep't of Fair Employment and Housing has sued and won against health clubs that advertise as "for women only." The well-known "Curves For Women" chain of gyms recently changed it name to Curves International, and they now admit men to their gyms in locations where there are gender-based anti-discrimination laws.

But what kind of man would want to go work out at a gym designed for old fat chicks?

kilo_foxtrot · 07-26-2006, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prototoast

But what kind of man would want to go work out at a gym designed for old fat chicks?

an aged, effeminate, overweight one?

KD5MDK · 07-26-2006, 11:25 PM

Well possibly a price-conscious one, depending on fees. Then again, my impression of Curves was that it was aimed more at younger women than older, though I might be mistaken.