Palo Alto pre-nationals fencing?

[Chafunkta]

I'll be staying in Palo Alto, CA during Nationals, and I'll be getting there a bit earlier than my events (7/5 - 7/10 is the length of my stay). I was wondering if there are any clubs near there that wouldn't mind me coming in and getting some fencing in before my events. If so, let me know where you are through a PM.

And I know about the club directory already.

Thanks!

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by Chafunkta

I'll be staying in Palo Alto, CA during Nationals, and I'll be getting there a bit earlier than my events (7/5 - 7/10 is the length of my stay). I was wondering if there are any clubs near there that wouldn't mind me coming in and getting some fencing in before my events. If so, let me know where you are through a PM.

And I know about the club directory already.

Thanks!

I have heard that many clubs will be closed since the coaches have events pretty much every day. Currently the only choice in Palo Alto would be Cardinal Fencing at Stanford. I can ask tonight if they are open for... foil? If your avatar is meaningful. Might be something going on at TFC (not as near to Palo Alto, but very near the venue) for foil also, though I don't know of any high level foilists there. Neither of those clubs minds visitors, but both will charge their standard floor fee ($15 and $10 respectively, I think).

[Chafunkta]

Foil or epee, but preferably epee. I figured most might be closed, what with the busy schedules for all those fencers. I'll look up the Cardinal fencing, and be ready with my $15. Thanks.

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by Chafunkta

Foil or epee, but preferably epee. I figured most might be closed, what with the busy schedules for all those fencers. I'll look up the Cardinal fencing, and be ready with my $15. Thanks.

Well, with epee I think we can cook something up. Maybe a practice at TFC or something, since they aren't as dependent on having coaches around to have the club open. But if Cardinal is open, we practice epee Tuesday and Thursday nights. It seems that you will be in town for just one Tuesday and no Thursdays. Let me see if there is a group that maybe wants to practice that Saturday and I'll PM you.

[hello?]

I am sure you can walk around the venue and find people willing to practice too -- right at the venue. Might be a thought if you can't find a club on the days you need.

[Shi no Tenshi]

Amusingly, I will also be near there, in Menlo Park, from the 5th-12th. I'll be doing epee and sabre....Could you include me as well if you are going to be doing any practicing or at least let me know who to contact to find out if I could go somewhere to tune up?

[counterattack]

I sent an e-mail to the local epee mailing list and got no responses. I will try a direct e-mail to the people most likely to be up to something and see if anything happens. For saber I am not the right person to talk to. I barely even know the names of any local saber fencers. Maybe EDEW can point you in the right direction there.

[wahrman]

Did you send it to the yahoo group? I never got it.

Originally Posted by counterattack

I sent an e-mail to the local epee mailing list and got no responses. I will try a direct e-mail to the people most likely to be up to something and see if anything happens. For saber I am not the right person to talk to. I barely even know the names of any local saber fencers. Maybe EDEW can point you in the right direction there.

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by wahrman

Did you send it to the yahoo group? I never got it.

hm. I got it back in my inbox, so I assumed it went. I just sent it again.

[counterattack]

So it seems that the only club that was planning on open fencing that day was EBFG in Oakland. The club is usually pretty packed and can't handle a big influx of fencers (besides being 40 miles away from San Jose or Palo Alto). TFC says that if there is enough interest they might open on Saturday the 5th for some epee. The Fencing Center (www.fencing.com, being in Silicon Valley) is located right in downtown San Jose, adjacent to the HP Pavilion arena's parking lot (about 5 minutes from the airport). Anyone from out of the area who is interested in epee on the afternoon of Saturday July 5th at TFC post here or PM me and I'll see if there is enough interest. Even if you contacted me before, let me know again now that a time and place are selected.

-philip

[Shi no Tenshi]

I'd be willing. The times offered would be good to know, however.

[jjefferies]

Originally Posted by counterattack

So it seems that the only club that was planning on open fencing that day was EBFG in Oakland. The club is usually pretty packed and can't handle a big influx of fencers (besides being 40 miles away from San Jose or Palo Alto).

EBFG will be open as usual that saturday. Can't speak to how crowded though. I suspect that more than a few will taking a lay day immediately before competitions. Please note, EBFG has slightly changed times. Warmup & footwork now begin at 1:00PM and open floor starts between 1:30 and 1:45 depending. Usually just before tournament's Abdul will go light on the workout. Floor fee is $10.00 but there is an additional charge for the group warmup/footwork session which you might find it useful after a long plane/car ride.

Regarding distance, it is a ride but the club is pretty conveniently located right off the 980 freeway in Oakland. Take 880 north, to Oakland and the 980 turnoff. Immediately in the turn itself there is an exit onto Castro St which parallels the freeway. Three blocks on Castro and then right onto 15th street and look for parking. There is an indoor soccer stadium and directly across the street is a kickbox studio which shares the building with EBFG whose entrance is on the 1st cross street, Martin Luther King,
1429 Martin Luther King
Oakland CA 94608
Or look at the Bay Cup website http://www.thebaycup.com/interface.c...ub&action=list
There is free parking in the afternoon. A free parking structure two blocks away and a lot behind the salle. But you best ask for directions.

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by Shi no Tenshi

I'd be willing. The times offered would be good to know, however.

Well, it is still in negotiation, since the folks from TFC were/are planning on going to EBFG but allowed me to put out an offer and see if the interest was great enough to change plans. I would think starting at 2pm or so? Don't want to start too late since there is fencing Sunday, and don't want to start too early since some people are arriving Saturday. But let me know your preferences as I try and set the plans. Also, I may or may not be there myself since my wife and I are expecting at the very end of June, but those things are not exact.

-philip

[Shi no Tenshi]

Well, I just double checked my itinerary and I arrive at SFO at 10:32, so afternoon works for me. I'll even have time for lunch!

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by Shi no Tenshi

Well, I just double checked my itinerary and I arrive at SFO at 10:32, so afternoon works for me. I'll even have time for lunch!

Well, it seems like nothing special is happening. I plan to be at EBFG at 1pm or 1:30.

-philip

[fencerbill]

Originally Posted by counterattack

Well, it seems like nothing special is happening. I plan to be at EBFG at 1pm or 1:30.

-philip

With regards to fencing or expecting? You can't leave us hanging like this.

[counterattack]

Originally Posted by fencerbill

With regards to fencing or expecting? You can't leave us hanging like this.

Hah! That excitement began last Tuesday =) Our son Lucas was born a few days early. Today's fencing will be my first attempt at leaving mommy alone for a few hours. I must now show off my pride and joy: