California Fencing Camp?

[Pessaran]

I just read that the French-American fencing camp is coming to Sacrametno (my home town) in July. Has anyone ever attended this? If so, what did you think? Is it worth the $495? I can't believe this camp is offered only in Paris and Sacramento. Why Sacramento? Is it the cheese?

[FencerInUS]

my guess would be is that sacramento is the capitol of CA. you, of all people, should know this as for it being worth the 500 smackers, i couldnt tell you.

F.I.US.

[Pessaran]

FencerInUS:

You are "guessing" that Sacramento is the capitol of California. Is that your final answer? Would you like to call a friend? Given your well-thought-out logic as evidenced by your reply, it seems as though you have a real command for naming capitols of states. Or at least guessing.

Actually, I just found out that the French Fencing Camp WAS going to be held in Little Rock, because...well, because it's the capitol of Arkansas. However, after serious deliberation, and painful research, they decided to have it in Sacramento. Why? Because it's the capitol of California!

Moreover, you'll have to remember FencerInUS that my original question was "why is [the] Camp offered only in Paris and Sacramento?" Not "what is the capital of California?"

I guessed if I asked "why do some fencers prefer epee over foil?" You would reply with "because fencing is fun." For those of us who graduated from an accredited post-secondary educational institution, we would call this type of logical analysis a non sequitur.

[FencerInUS]

Pessaran,
What do you expect from california's top notch public education system? as for it being in CA and Paris only, that prolly where the most competitive fencers are. youd probably get a more educated answer if you posted on the general boar, because as you can see this one is just a hot bed of action and your post will just get buried here.

F.I.US

[anam_cara]

Pessaran,
I see from your post that you fence in Sacramento. I live in the area also, and am interested in fencing. Any advice for someone just starting to fence in our fine capitol city? (he-he)

[fat Boy Ed]

Hi Pessaran

The thing is organized bu the Lucchetti foundation. Marcos Lucchetti has some impressive credentials and a hell of a lot of contacts. He also organized fencing safaris to Europe and hung out at some relly hot clubs. I had two of my students show up last time and fely kinda cheated.There was quite a bit of instruction but some how they got too little of it. Most of the local hotshots got most of the attention and the rookies were left to fend for themselves. Good group though, most are from the French Junior program and are very talented by our standards. Do you know who Gerald Chang is? Well he is quite a hot fencer and he was just slapped around by the better fencers last year. Our fencers suffered most from the heat. We live on the coast and we get summer temps in the 60's and they found it very hard to fence in a sweltering salle with outdoor temp at 115 F. No air conditioning. Yuck!!!!!!! If you want more info. Search around the divisional web page and hit the Lucchetti foundation. I think if you are on your way to being an accomplished fencer this might be a good way to tune yourself, however if you are a rookie,say D and under, you should spend that money on lessons. Hey ,you could always come up to Humboldt, I only charrge $10 for rookies and $15 for competetive lessons. See ya

[arcon]

Fat Boy Ed Im interested in this French American Fencing Camp, For fencing and a personal reason(the location etc.)anyway I attended a local camp in Houston last year the only thing i felt cheated on was the lack of tactical anaylasis(sp)is this absent at every camp?Or is it wishful thinking to expect instruction in this area?......arcon

[fat Boy Ed]

Hi Arcon

I did not attend the camp so I couldn't tell you. My students did not mention any tactical work. However my students told me that they would not attend the camp again. They told me that the lessons at the club were more instructive than at camp. The good thing about the camp was the sheer number of fencers ,the variety of styles and body types
to learn from. We at the club spend quite a bit of time on tactics. That is my stregth as a fencer. Especially before a large competition we will concentrate on tactics. Instead of the one on one instruction I take fencers in pairs and direct them in a bout all the while critiquing thy're tactics and making suggestions. I will tell one fencer to do one move and see if the other can formulate a consistent solution. I have a great bunch of fencers, very well mannered and friendly- except on the strip,there they are expected to fight like rabid weasels!

[arcon]

Fat Boy Ed I am dead serious with this idea. I do not receive any tactical in my club,went to a summer camp and expected it,was on the flyer, didnt happen. Where are you? I would seriously consider attending you club meetings,Im self employed so my scedule is my own....and i dont mind getting on a plane.

We have a well known former olympic participant in our area,his students are successful in tournaments all over the country,Ive been to his Salle a number of times and never have i seen him do what you described,if he does ,its done in private with his groomed champions.So you can see why i would travel quiet a distance for this type of training and knowledge. Please respond when you can.Ill be glad to give you my email to contact me personally.thanks ...arcon

[fat Boy Ed]

Hi Arcon

We fence out in the middle of nowhere. Arcata is in Humboldt County,California.The city of Eureka is just down the road. We are about 300miles north of San Francisco near the Oregon border, right on the coast. We have small club, few in numbers but our dedication is great. I have no formal training in fencing, just what I have learned on the strip while competeting. Should you ever be in the area we would be happy to host you and have you over to the club. I can be reached at grayroot@humboldt1.com

We are primarily an epee club with a few doing foil. We have only one saberist- a veteran who was 15th at the world vets in Hungary last year. Drop me a line. See you later Arcon.