Searching for instructor in NW NJ

[ladydressage]

Hi all. I am new to fencing.net. I live in Northwestern NJ and am a beginning fencer. I would love to locate a good instructor as it has been years since I have fenced and I miss it. I have only studied classical fencing - never modern, competitive - but I am game for either.

[Craig]

Have you checked the zip code search on the home page of fencing.net?

(Look at the upper right on www.fencing.net for the search box.)

Craig

[RITFencing]

What weapon? I could recommend any of several clubs in the area. Also, can you be any more specific as to location?

[ladydressage]

I am located in Blairstown NJ - about 12 miles from PA and about 60 miles from NYC in the North off of the 80. French foil is the weapon I used to study (played with small sword and rapier a tiny bit - all classical) but I am also interested in sabre........any suggestions - competitive or classical - would be appreciated .

[RITFencing]

As far as clubs in NJ, I'd recommend Lilov Fencing Academy in Morris plains. As far as mapquest can tell me, it's the closest decent club to you, and The head coach, Vladimir Lilov, knows very, very much about sabre, if you're interested in that.

It's about 45 minutes from you, which is a bit rough, but you're not in a great area for fencing clubs. I don't know enough about clubs in PA to recommend one of those for you, but hopefully somoene else on the forum can give a hand if LFA is too far for you.

[ladydressage]

Thanks mucho. I will check him out. 45 minutes is tough for me since I work kinda late - but I will do what I have to do.

[RITFencing]

No problem. I hope you enjoy it over there. Bear in mind that it will be a very different environment with wildly divergent subject matter from what you've been used to, so try to keep an open mind about stuff.

Best of luck to you, and maybe I'll see you at a tournament some time.

[oiuyt]

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has/had a fencing club. Might be something else available there (or nearby) that's a better fit distance-wise. Unlikely to have close to the quality of instruction available from Lilov.

-B

[rsy]

If you can't make the drive to one of the bigger schools, Ace of Blades is in Hackettstown (about 15 miles from you). I think Long Valley Fencers Club is there too. I don't think you will find anything in NJ closer than Hackettstown.

-r

[oiuyt]

Ace of Blades (note: click twice on any of the menu buttons to get them to work).

Long Valley Fencers Club

-B

[SurfingFoil]

Foil - Clinton Fencing Club - south of you in Hunterdon County would probably be the best fit should be about 30 miles

[achilles_heal]

i coach sabre at clinton fencing club. it's a very young program, from about 7-8 up to 19 or so, but it's a nice place and there are a lot of foil fencers of varying ability.

the sabre program is smaller, about 12 kids all young hs age. all pretty new to fencing, max 3 years experience. i've been there 1 year. there are 5 strips.

lilov's main place is in montclair, but he has been coaching one or two nights a week at the gill st. bernard school. i know wednesday is one of the nights. i believe at that location it is sabre only - lilov fencing academy specializes in sabre - but i could be wrong.

also in hunterdon county is the bucks county academy of fencing. they are located in lambertville, across from new hope, pa. lots of fencers there, instruction available in all three weapons. a much greater adult fencing community there also. they have competitive and also more recreational programs available. lots of strips.

in somerset county there is medeo, in bridgewater (exit 13 off 287 s) near the costco. they have a big program, many young competitive fencers and some adults. high quality of instruction there as well. lots of strips.

good luck.

[ladydressage]

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I will check them all out and find the one that works the best for me. I know they are all competitve (and I only did classical at the Martinez Academy) but I am sure I will be able to find a club that work for me. You have all been super!

[jeff]

Also, for a list of NJ clubs, see http://www.njfencing.org/clubs.htm
If you want to continue with classical fencing, send a pm to Christopher Umbs on this board, as he teaches a classical fencing class in NJ.

[ladydressage]

I know Chris well. Worked with him before - he is great. Unfortunately he is too far away for me to get to . But you are right, I should drop him an email and ask if he knows of anyone.

[Anotherfencingmom]

Anyone know anything about Steve Kaplan and Jana Angelakis?

[jeff]

Steve has a club in Jersey City, Cobra Fencing, http://www.cobrafencing.com/ which also lists Jana as one of the coaches.