Coach Question - Who should be giving our lessons?

[c141va]

cylucente, everyone who has replied, including you, gave great advice and support. However, I didn't understand why you were the only person replying that seemed to take it personal. I wasn't and won't stick up for Mac but you in particular even attacked him when he opened his club because he misspoke about fencers in VA. Why would any secure club owner or adult for that matter, care or make a big deal out of nothing? Which is why I made my statement about not going to your club. After reading your sensitive responses I know I made the right decision. Mac doesn't seem to be a decent person and I'm sure as most everyone has stated, he isn't coming back. From what has been written, him leaving was probably a good thing. Were over it, life goes on.

Thanks for the club advice, and the supportive PM's, but all this is over this teenagers head. I'm going to leave you fine fencers and go enjoy my summer.

Thanks for everything. Good luck with your fencing!

[cylucente]

After reading your sensitive responses I know I made the right decision.

(Groan) I give up, seriously.

[tchwojko]

(Groan) I give up, seriously.

Very bad ref: "Beat attack from the left, yes."
Right: "I was robbed!"
By-standing coach after the bout: "You were, it was clearly riposte. Left also stepped off the end of the strip, and turned his back and then crashed into you. I'd ask for some observation."
Right: "Why are you picking on the ref? What did he ever do to you?!? I'm never going to your club! You take things way too personally!"

[cylucente]

That was awesome...

[c141va]

Very bad ref: "Beat attack from the left, yes."
Right: "I was robbed!"
By-standing coach after the bout: "You were, it was clearly riposte. Left also stepped off the end of the strip, and turned his back and then crashed into you. I'd ask for some observation."
Right: "Why are you picking on the ref? What did he ever do to you?!? I'm never going to your club! You take things way too personally!"

I wasn't attacking this coach from Richmond, but I'm a teenager, didn't they realize we were dealing with enough without the extra "personal" jabs? I, we got it, he isn't a nice guy, we didn't need anymore dirt to make us feel worse than we already did. We had this site that helped us vent our frustrations, which most all of you understood we needed to do, but this person from Richmond had to keep it going on a level that I feel was more suitable for adults.

[c141va]

That was awesome...

Myself (I'm 15) and parents didn't need anymore "personal" info on this guy, on a business level we knew enough.

Like we have, move on and enjoy your summer. He isn't worth anymore of our time.

Good luck with your club.

[tchwojko]

I wasn't attacking this coach from Richmond

It was an allegory.

[wbowman]

What has Mac done to you? You in particular seem to be taking this personal, or your trying to benefit from his departure. I've read the posts you've written concerning Mac and your club would be the last we would join.

Can't help but chime in here. While RFC might be a bit far for you anyway, this is a pretty self-defeating attitude.
Yes, Cylucente has taken some of this personally -- based on Mac's earlier posted comments vis-a-vis the level of fencing in Virginia (which he then edited off the board). I think her post pretty well explains it. She HAS been one of the hardest-working members of the VA board AND her own club and felt her efforts and those of others were being slighted -- so she reacted in a perfectly understandable way. Her personal feelings aside, Mr. Shaker's history is objective information, offered to you for perspective if nothing else.

Now.... from a geographical standpoint, I would reiterate that the Isle of Wight club might be your best bet. You could try the W&M club, but I don't know what their policy is regarding non-students.
That said, it would be worth your while to pay a visit to RFC at some point anyway. It's a nice facility and it's run by good people, with a serious dedication to the sport.

[Valerie]

Let me just say that I live in Williamsburg, and I've been following Mac's classes since he started them here. You're definitely getting shafted here, and my advice is to get out as soon as possible, and ask your substitute teacher for your check back. Leaving a fencer with 4 months of fencing experience to teach a class of beginners is beyond the pale, especially at Mac's prices.

There are several great options for fencing in the local area, though, none of which involve this sort of reprehensible behavior. Don Dino teaches beginner fencing in Williamsburg, concentrating more on a classical style for fun, rather than competition oriented fencing. I started with him, and would recommend him. Send me a private message and I'll give you his phone number.

From Williamsburg, you're also within easy striking distance of the Richmond Fencing Club, which has the best facilities in the area, hands down. You should also check out Isle of Wight Fencing Club, which is where I fence. From Williamsburg, you can take the Jamestown Ferry and it's actually not that far away. It's quite inexpensive, the coach is great and the people are all very friendly.

No matter which one of these you choose, my advice is to insist that you get your money back from Mac. These sorts of shenanigans are not something you should have to put up with.

I live in Williamsburg and would very much like to contact Don Dino and hopefully arrange for my son to continue fencing classes with him (Salle Dino website is now "off the air"). My son began fencing in January with Coach Mac Shaker but we realized the "fluid" nature of his departure and did not sign up to continue as did a few others. With my husband and myself working, we are not able to regularly travel further than Williamsburg but very much appreciate the mention of other clubs.

My thanks in advance if you could put us in touch. (I don't know how to send you a private message, as suggested above, but I checked the box so I can receive them when I registered at fencing.net. I have never actually joined a forum...so this is quite an adventure already).

[Hanashi]

I sent the phone number in a private message. Let me know if there are any problems.

[wbowman]

You might also want to PM Vorpalcat and check out her classes at Isle of Wight or Poquoson.

[VorpalCat]

Thanks, Wayne. And Valerie, do indeed feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

*goes back to trying to catch up on two weeks of f.net and other internet reading backlogs*

[c141va]

I sent the phone number in a private message. Let me know if there are any problems.

Hi Hanashi

How's your summer going? I thought I would check for recent news. Didn't Mr. Dino have both of his knees replaced recently? Is he still teaching? I had to laugh at the parents comment about coach Shaker's "fluid nature" my parents said she put into words their exact thoughts. I still go to the classes occasionally when there's nothing to do. They're very boring and slow and it's annoying how Joe puts down his kid! Getting to fence is still cool though.

Anyway did you go to California? Buy any new socks?

[fencingmomma]

Mac was teaching classes out of Ironbound gym. No club...just classes. But Mac did do a little bait and switch. My son goes there. We haven't seen Mac since the beginning of summer.
I was told the other day that Mac will not be back unless we "pay" for him to. He is in NJ I am told making much more money teaching privately, and since that is his income..he will not be back unless we specifically ask him to come down for something and pay him. So basically the kids there are more or less on their own to move past the beginner stages. They are talking about expanding to Hampton and another local area..under the Shaker Fencing name. No doubt with the reel them in as being instructed by an Olympian...only to leave it in the hands of someone much less experienced.

I also know who the "girl" is that has been mentioned. She is actually a friend of my sons. She is quite good.

Needless to say, my son will continue to practice at the gym occasionally because it is so close, but will be making the trip down to Poquoson on Sundays to Viki Hanes who runs both that club and the sister or mother club IOW. I have been quite impressed with her and her club members.

[emagdnim]

From Williamsburg, you're also within easy striking distance of the Richmond Fencing Club, which has the best facilities in the area, hands down. You should also check out Isle of Wight Fencing Club, which is where I fence. From Williamsburg, you can take the Jamestown Ferry and it's actually not that far away. It's quite inexpensive, the coach is great and the people are all very friendly.

No matter which one of these you choose, my advice is to insist that you get your money back from Mac. These sorts of shenanigans are not something you should have to put up with.

not to mention Tidewater fencing club.

[emagdnim]

If the drive down to IWFC isn't too much I have to agree that Viki is probably your best bit in the area, especially in the beginner category.

[Displacement]

Does anyone know where he is coaching in NJ currently?

Probably has a High School gig. Plus some club work on the side.

[fencerchica]

not to mention Tidewater fencing club.

A couple years ago I was on travel in Newport News with enough expected down time to bring my fencing gear. Went over to Tidewater for an evening of fencing since it was convenient and that evening was supposed to be their big foil night. The lady running the practice, with whom I'd corresponded beforehand, was extremely friendly, as was one veteran-aged fencer, but the others of the half-dozen-plus people (adults, mostly) with whom I spoke or fenced ranged from taciturn to overtly hostile. It was truly bizarre, the only time I've ever visited another fencing club and not found it to be a friendly atmosphere.