Coming to America

[pigeonmeister]

I am flying to America next week for a month long visit (courtesy of my Uni!). I'm in NYC (Columbia) for 9 days, DC (Georgetown) 2 weeks and Atlanta for a week. I was hoping to maybe do some fencing whilst there- any suggestions for a top 40 UK foilist, including what kit could be borrowed (I can only really bring breeches, lame, glove, bodywire and maybe jacket) and some ideas about cost. I appreciate that all this info is searchable, but I'm massively busy and would really appreciate some help. Thanks.

[Inquartata]

Well, shoot, too bad it wasn't THIS week---you could have come to the Cherry Blossom...

[KD5MDK]

Craig is a foilist, I'll leave the Atlanta recommendations up to him.
DC Fencers Club is the only one who springs to mind by name in DC. There's a club at the National Institute of Health, but I somehow have the impression they're sabre primarily. There's also some clubs in Northern Virginia.
Finally, for your first stop in NYC, Columbia has a pretty good team of its own, although their season is over. Contact information is here:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/fencing/
Here's their page about fencing in NYC:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/fencing/NYC.htm
I'd contact the Columbia program first because you'll be there and they can advise you what the current situation is in terms of what's open and who they can set you up with.

[epeelion]

I'm a fencer at Columbia. We're primarily training at the clubs in NYC. I'm an epeeist, and I train at Athletic club, but there are some foilists there too. PM me, or better yet fencing guy or NYACFencing if you want to try to fence there. FC is a better foil club, but I can't help you there, as I'm not a member, so you're better off calling them.

[pigeonmeister]

Thank you for all your responses, they have been most helpful...so please keep them coming! I agree that checking out fencing at Columbia seems the obvious answer, NYC is (sadly) probably the place where I have the least time available however. Still, I really want to make it to one session. I am just about to email them..

DC- I have plenty of time, so will investigate further- I have just emailed Janusz Smolenski as DC fencing club looks fantastic. Just a bit worried about not being able to take my mask or foil.

Atlanta- I am staying Virginia Avenue, East point which I believe is near the airport. Will PM Craig for some more advice, but if anyone nows what the score is in that part of Atlanta then please let me know.

Thanks everyone.

[jeff]

Are you willing/able to drive on the (wrong) side of the road? In NY that won't be an issue, but it may be necessary for the other locations.

[pigeonmeister]

I am able to drive but really wasn't planning on doing so (have had to drive on the 'wrong side' on the continent before- didn't like it much!) DC fencing club seems reasonably accessible via the Red line- station Forest Glen (club is supposedly about a mile's walk from station but maybe some kind soul would pick me up- if not that's my warm up!)

I could, in theory, rent a car in Atlanta for a week- but again seems a bit of an extravagence seeing as I chose my hotel on the basis of its good public transport links to where I need to be.

[jeff]

Or rent a taxi, and leave the driving to them... Probably safer, and if infrequent, less expensive than renting.

Hm, also may want to make sure your cellphone will work here (so you can call that cab or pickup to the club): we use different bands than UK/Europe, and your phone and roaming options on your cell provider's plan have to be set up to work here.

[fencingguy]

Since noone else has pointed this out. The Columbia NYC page is out of date. Metropolis no longer in existence. Although the AC program has been restarting the best foil to be found is at the Fencer's Club. Contact them at fencersclub@gmail.com to find out the best times to fence. They have a few nights of the week for foil and the elite athletes meet during the day around 12.

[jeff]

1. Go to www.google.com
2. click on 'maps'
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "London" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "New York" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. scroll down to step #37

[CvilleFencer]

Originally Posted by pigeonmeister

DC fencing club seems reasonably accessible via the Red line- station Forest Glen (club is supposedly about a mile's walk from station but maybe some kind soul would pick me up- if not that's my warm up!)

Make sure you get good directions to DCFC. They first time I went there I missed it as it is sort of buried in a run down looking little industrial park and is not immediately visible from the road. I think someone would be able to give you a ride though. You might also want to look at Old Town Fencing Gang in Alexandria. You can get there by the metro and they have some pretty solid A and B level foil fencers.

Let us know where/when you will be in your travels. It is a few hours away for me but I might gather up some of my foilists and make a pilgrimage to DC to say hi.

[wbowman]

You're right that DCFC would be your best bet in the Washington area, but if you'd also like to try the Virginia side of the river, you're welcome to visit Olde Town in Alexandria. We fence Mondays and Wednesdays, we're a short bus ride from the Braddock Rd. Metro (Yellow Line), and I'm sure someone would be glad to loan you some equipment. (PM me for details if you'd like).
I would also suggest Virginia Academy of Fencing in Springfield. They're bigger and have a permanent facility, so there's stuff going on all week, but they're not very accessible by public transportation. Still, you could probably contact them through their web site.

[Gav]

Originally Posted by jeff

1. Go to www.google.com
2. click on 'maps'
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "London" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "New York" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. scroll down to step #37

Try that with Edinburgh ...

Bizarre.

[pigeonmeister]

You are all extreemly kind- I have no time to say anymore than that, but will follow up the PM's tomorrow. Thanks

[KD5MDK]

Originally Posted by Gav

Try that with Edinburgh ...

Bizarre.

I wonder how they decide where you make landfall.

[trazom]

I wonder why they say to swim to Boston... wouldn't it be easier to swim to DC itself (for fewest steps / distance) or swim to Halifax (shortest swim) ?

[wbowman]

Pigeonmeister,
I have replied to your PM with details about Olde Town, but in case it doesn't go through:
You can call me at 202-203-4813 (work) or 703-549-7451 (home), or e-mail me at wbowman@ibb.gov
I will be out of town Friday and Saturday (Apr. 13-14), but if you're already in town and can make it to the Cherry Blossom, several of our members will be there. Look for the black-and-blue jackets with bright yellow collars.

wb

[swordsen]

The Atlanta Fencers Club is in East Point. Nellya is in Forest Park which is about 15 miles away. Both Have Websites.

[pigeonmeister]

I have had several very kind emails from Gene Gettler at Atlanta Fencer's club, he seems really nice and I think I will be fencing on 6-9pm May 9th and 11th if anyone fancies meeting me there for a few bouts. If anyone fancies giving me a lift then that would be even better!- I am staying very close (within a couple of miles I believe) at 377 Virginia Avenue, East Point.

No response from DC fencers club- I am now staying at Takoma Park (25th April- 2nd May- staying out of town after that) so, again, I believe that its fairly close to the Salle and if anyone could pick me up from Forest Glen station that would amazing- so I don't get lost as much as anything! I think I am going to give Olde Town a visit too- wbowman, thanks for all the info- I will be in touch. Same plea re-lift applies, but obviously only if it's on somebodies way. If not a bus should do it. I would love to attend Cherry blossom, but I'm not getting to NYC until 16th and wont be in DC til the 25th. Your jackets sound cool though!

NYC- going to be really busy but something might come up. will be there 16th-24th.

Thanks all.

[occasionalfencer]

"No response from DC fencers club- I am now staying at Takoma Park (25th April- 2nd May- staying out of town after that) so, again, I believe that its fairly close to the Salle and if anyone could pick me up from Forest Glen station that would amazing-
Thanks all."

When you get to the Forest Glen station, call the DCFC 301-562-1990 and tell them you need a ride from the Forest Glen Metro. Make sure you go to the Forest Glen Metro, and say that when you call for a ride. I once spent a fruitless 45 minutes waiting at one Metro stop, while the fencer I came to pick up was at a different Metro stop. I don't recommend walking- the distance isn't bad but the roads are not friendly to pedestrians.