DC FC v. Chevy Chase

[Phincer]

A relative in the Bethesda area has a 13 y.o. son fencing epee. DC Fencer's Club and Chevy Chase club are within range of their house, although CC is a more direct route (meaning Dad doesn't have to drive or arrange for car pool).

I'm interested in your opinions on club atmosphere, private lessons and coaching. Dad reports to me that at CC, the coaches' private lesson slots are filled. Kiddo has been fencing at a rec level for a year and would like to step it up a notch.

DCFC is larger, but according to FRED, both clubs have about the same number of under 15 students.

I live far, far away and can't visit the clubs to offer an opinion or see what's going on. I'm the Fencing Aunt, and the parents want to make the child happy by getting him lessons, but are not very well educated (and not willing to be) on the sport. So they are asking me-and I dunno!

Anyone hear anything? Anyone in the know in either club can give me an idea of the difference between the two? One club may be way more suited to a young epee fencer, the other not. I'll advise either way-my interest is what is best for the fencer, not necessarily the parent.

Thanks in advance!

[griffindm]

Well, here is some input from someone that knows both clubs and has no axe to grind.

Both clubs have produced quality epee fencers. CCFC is headed by Ray Finkelman, who studied under Jean-Jacque Gillet a french master that ran a quality instruction program out of Cornell back in the late '70's. Top recent students in epee include Katherine Holmes and James Kaull, both of whom represented the US at World Cups.

DCFC is headed by Janusz Smolenski, a Polish coach that has worked with Zbigniew Czajkowski, a famous Polish coach that produced many international champions. Janusz has headed the program since the early 1980's, but the club itself has been around for many decades. They have an excellent epee program, with quality bouting throughout the week, as well as several excellent coaches that assist Janusz. Notable fencers there include Corwin Duncan, Isaac Erbele, Dick Richards, and a host of others, including James Kaull, who began at CCFC and moved to DCFC recently.

They are both very good programs. Your nephew could do well at either one. DCFC is a larger facility, but that does not always mean more individual attention.

Dave G.

CCFC Website

DCFC Website

[catwood1]

I have never been to CC, but I spent a semester fencing at DCFC.

I very much enjoyed my time at DCFC. I was fencing mainly sabre, but the epee is top notch. Robert Suchorski is the primary epee coach, although IIRC, Janusz gives lessons as well. Everyone is very nice and approachable. I would recommend that people fence there if they were looking for a club.

That said, every encounter I've had with people from CC have been very positive, and they seem like great guys over there.

[Phincer]

Thanks to both of you for very thoughtful answers. I'll pass on what I learn here to the parents, and see what happens. The little guy loves fencing-and is very willing to work hard at it.

[fencingmaster]

Your son is welcome to come to Chevy Chase. We have lots of fencers his age at all ability levels. We fence electrically at all practices.

Our website is http://www.fencer.com. You can view the competitive results of our fencers at this website as well as photos from local, national and international tournaments.

Private lessons may be available depending on the time/day that your relative is available for instruction. We recently added another experienced fencing coach to our staff.

Raymond Finkleman
Fencing Master at Chevy Chase Fencing Club.

[Phincer]

Your son is welcome to come to Chevy Chase. We have lots of fencers his age at all ability levels. We fence electrically at all practices.

Our website is http://www.fencer.com. You can view the competitive results of our fencers at this website as well as photos from local, national and international tournaments.

Private lessons may be available depending on the time/day that your relative is available for instruction. We recently added another experienced fencing coach to our staff.

Raymond Finkleman
Fencing Master at Chevy Chase Fencing Club.

Thanks so much Ray! I'll pass it on!