Summer is coming up... what to do?

[Silvestris]

Finally, summer! I have a few options for this one:

1. Stay and train/fence/make more money for lessons
2. Go to the Poland fencing camp
3. ???

I'm a intermediateish foil fencer and I'm taking the step into serious fencing. Obviously, I'm 17 and I need all the practice and fencing I can get. I think the camp would be wasted on me since I really could probably save the 2k+ dollars and buy a LOT more private lessons.

I have all summer to do nothing but work (for fencing money, of course), practice (fencing!), or crosstrain (for fencing). If I wanted to get as far as I could this summer, what would you recommend?

Thank you!

[Mr Epee]

I guess the #1 questions is who are the lessons with....

Without knowing, I'd lean towards Poland... for the cultural experience more than the fencing... but the combination is double plus super.

[Silvestris]

I should probably mention that I just came back from Austria for a year and my family comes from Poland: we've been there many, many times So the cultural expericen isn't lacking, but thank you.

[HDG]

What are your competitive goals?

[Mr Epee]

Oh, then skip it...

I don't know the specific camp you're referring to, but you won't be there long enough to develop anything truly useful... development takes time time.

Repeated reinforcement over a long period tops week long immerssion every time.

Work hard. Play hard. Good luck.

[Silvestris]

Competitive goals? I don't have any specifics at the moment, as silly as that sounds. Just to improve my basic fencing form, tactics, and the like.

And thank you once again, Mr. Epee, I'll keep that in mind!

[Zilverzmurfen]

Finally, summer!

That's a very positive attitude...

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Look into camps in the US. A number of colleges have longer camps, and a number of clubs have weeklong intensives. The weeklongs won't fundamentally change your fencing style, but they might give you new perspectives, or give you a chance to work heavily with an area (or not so area) coach that you don't get enough time with. The college camps allow you to meet all sorts of people your age, AND get a chance to see what college coaches are like. If you're very interested in a particular college or area of the country for college, try that. If your academics aren't up to the level of places that often have fencing camps, try a camp in the region you might want to go to school anyway. Other area coaches will probably be involved, maybe even ones at slightly less prestigious schools.

[LastLeftyofEL]

Go to the closest club and fence. You meet plenty of new people at da club.

[Nolano]

What area of the country are you in?

[Silvestris]

I should probably look into some camps...


Northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. So, midwest I believe?

[Nolano]

Ah.
Well, they're a bit far from you, but the Northwest Fencing Center, in Beaverton, Oregon, has excellent foil and epee camps for fencers of all skill levels. I went to the winter camp last year, and I'll be going to the summer camp this year.

[pavski]

3.- sunbathe

[Silvestris]

Nolano- I think we have some decent camps around here. Ironically, one is sponsored by Northwestern University And nice XCKD quote!

Pavski- I wish. Looking like Casper's double means I have two modes: chalk-white and tomato-red

[pavski]

ok , so an amended suggestion-

find shade+vodka+ice+apple juice

sit back , relax, enjoy.