An Introduction

[Toaster Ninja]

Hey guys. Name's Pat. I'm a student at the University of Central Missouri. Been doing fencing for roughly eight or nine months now when the University Club. User Timberwolf_CY is actually one of my instructors. So far I've started doing foil. Messed around a bit with Epee and Sabre, but nothing official. Have yet to go to a tournament, USFA-sanctioned or not. Am quite interested in fencing and really liking and looking into becoming a sort of referee. That will take time, of course, since I'm still a newbie.

Some non-fencing information about me: I'm a History major, with a great interest in Medieval Europe, and Ancient History. I did Dagorhir for a good portion of my teenage years and dropped it recently due to drama that I didn't care for. I have considered joining the SCA for some time, but right now, fencing is my main priority. I also enjoy playing video games, especially Left 4 Dead and Team Fortress 2.

Nice forum here. Looking forward to lurking about more on it.

[Lady Quindecim]

With ROW weapons especially, learning how to ref will help you compete. This is not a rule, but for someone who enjoys the study and analysis as much as you seem to, I think it will help. So, there is nothing - sport wise - keeping you from tracking down a ref-camp and getting that started. It should make the whole thing more fun.

It sounds like you are not among the most competitive by nature of those of us in the sport. That's cool. You will find plenty of people more into it for the fun/fitness/whatnot.

Speaking of research and study, remember, the search tool on here is among the best I have found on interweb forums. It will be your friend and you will do it justice.... or visa versa.

So, welcome and have fun. You may find much of interest in the Armoury section. It is cooler than I ever thought it would be when I got started.

[TheNamelessOne]

Yo and salutations!

We welcome you into the fold of our infinite fencer-ness, in which we hope you shall find a lasting and welcoming home.

We will attempt to keep your apparent sanity more or less intact...

One question... Toaster Ninja???

[dharmaqueen]

Hi Toaster Ninja. Is that anything like toaster struedle? yum!
Anyhow, enjoy the forum and welcome to the wide world of fencing.
Cheers!

[Inquartata]

Sounds like the winner of a "Name Our Band" contest...

[magic_moose]

or perhaps the next Preakness winner

[Toaster Ninja]

@Lady Quindecim

Not quite sure what a ROW weapon is... Sorry. I suppose those questions come with being a newbie. I will, of course, ask you to hold such an answer, and instead consult the search button.

I also tend to look more into the fun 'n fitness aspect, yes. Though, I hope soon to attend a tournament. If not for competetion, then for knowledge.

@TheNamelessOne, well, the name's just born of me picking out two words as randomly as I could from the Merriam-Webster's dicitonary I happened to have on hand. I decided that it was unique enough, haha. It's also my Steam name, concindentally.

@Everyone, thanks for the warm welcome to the forums. I look forward to lurking around here (and brushing up on my ref. knowledge)

[JTX]

What is it that attracts you to reffing? I loathe directing and I'm curious as to what elements draw a relatively new fencer to want to do that.

BTW, I'm not knocking you or directing or challenging what you might learn. In fact, I'd love to channel your enthusiasm for the times I get called on to ref. Right now I find it nerve wracking and distracting from my own bouts.

[Toaster Ninja]

Oh, it's cool. I didn't take it as hostile.

I'm not really sure what draws me to reff'ing. I just started to judge/direct one day at our club and thought "Hey, this is fun.". So now I'm trying to get better at it. Simple as that. That's probably not a very illuminating answer, is it? I'm not sure. I think it comes from the thought that helping ref will also help me understand the rules more, and I can see things happen in front of me. It'll also help me understand the refs who judge while I'm fencing, and the decisions they make, I hope.

EDIT: I should add, that it does wrack my nerves quite some. I find it incredibly frustrating. But I still do it, and I think that it does help you gain knowledge in how the bout/assault works.

[Lady Quindecim]

@Lady Quindecim

Not quite sure what a ROW weapon is... Sorry. I suppose those questions come with being a newbie. I will, of course, ask you to hold such an answer, and instead consult the search button.

Oh, no biggie: ROW=Right of Way

How are you liking the f*net now that you have had some time to feel it up? I mean, out... feel it out?

[Toaster Ninja]

Thanks.

Haha, I like it a lot. It seems to have a wealth of information. I defintely dig it.