Armorers at Summer Nats

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

Originally posted by MyrddinsPrecint
*breaks one of your oh-so-well armored epees and beats you over the head with it until it's bloody*

MIKE!! MIKE!! OVER HERE!!!
NAKED WOMEN!!

My guess on Mike´s response:
"It is their own responsibility to have regulation clothing!" ;-)

Mike: if you loan out a bodycord to some kid, there is a possibility that his uncle will be working in the personell dept. of the company that you apply for a job with, once you are graduated.

The quote reminds me of a competition where we had co-ed showers, both senior men and junior/cadet women. The venue was a military gym on base, so the place was built without women in mind. The officer running the whole thing fixed so that all competitior got to eat *free* in officer´s mess. Teenage girls in whites looked a bit out of place there.

Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[sallearmourer]

I remenber the time at a National event the armourers not only repair strip equiememnt check the equiemement in and sell equiement. I remenber one summer Nationals where three vendors showed up to sell equiememnt. So compare to the old days in the 70 and 80 at every NAC we have 6 or 7 vendor. PS we do alot more then just weights and shims for the USFA. We also help with setup and tear down of the strips and equiement and sometime when needed we break away one us to help with weapon control as well if the armourers are over extened. We have done drug testing. Another words what the USFA needs we there to help out. Those names and strip sign are made by us as well. I am going to miss working Summer NAtionals this year.
And if any one think I make money at NAC doing repaires better think again most of the other makes in 2 to3 hours want I will do all weekend long at NAC and in 2 days at Nationals want I will make in a week. I feel lucky to break even on the expense's of getting there.

Sorry to all that used my services


Tim Loomis

[mtarascio]

I agree with epeemike that one should have all of their equipment in good working order and be able to do basic equipment repair and maintenance especially if going to a National tournament.

Learning how to maintain your equipment is as important as learning how to fence properly. Many a bout/competition has been lost due to faulty equipment.

It may be too late for some fencers to learn some of the basic skills prior to the Summer Nationals. In this case, many vendors selling equipment at the Nationals will be offering their services for equipment repair for a price.

I would suggest for those who don't know how to do repair and maintenance work to see if your club or division is willing to conduct an armorer clinic after the Nationals.

[MyrddinsPrecint]

"A human being should be able to
change a diaper, check
plan an invasion, check
butcher a hog, i could kill one, does that count?
conn a ship, i suppose...
design a building, it might not stand up, but i coul
write a sonnet, check
balance accounts, check
build a wall, check
set a bone, not so much.
comfort the dying, check
take orders, check
give orders, check
cooperate, check
act alone, check
solve equations, check
analyze a new problem, check
pitch manure, check
program a computer, i can program my TI-83+.... it's faster than my first computer... does that count?
cook a tasty meal, check
fight efficiently, check
die gallantly. check


so, i just have to go to med school and learn how to set bones..

i feel special...

[DHCJr]

Originally posted by mtarascio
I would suggest for those who don't know how to do repair and maintenance work to see if your club or division is willing to conduct an armorer clinic after the Nationals.

If anyone is interested in having a clinic e-mail me at DHCJr@juno.com. You will find Armorers are willing to teach and if you let me know where you are located, I cam maybe find an Armorer in your area.

[corinna2u]

Having never been to Nationals, I don't know if this is even possible...

Is it possible to hold a clinic at Nationals? Maybe have it on Thursday, July 3rd...U19 and Vets fence on that day. That way the Y10, Y14, and U16 would be able to go...it seems these are the main groups that should be targeted.

Just an idea.

[oiuyt]

At least last year, and I think the year before there were (at least) 2 armoring clinics offered at nationals targetted towards, but not exclusively restricted to, parents of fencers. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see them repeated every year. Look for signs up near check-in and the armorer's table.

-B :)

[edew]

Originally posted by corinna2u
Having never been to Nationals, I don't know if this is even possible...

Is it possible to hold a clinic at Nationals? Maybe have it on Thursday, July 3rd...U19 and Vets fence on that day. That way the Y10, Y14, and U16 would be able to go...it seems these are the main groups that should be targeted.

Just an idea.

The original plan for the Summer Nationals (when it began in 1997) was to also hold seminars throughout the whole tournament so that instead of it being just a large tournament, it is treated as much as a convention with competition.

The point is for vendors to display the their new wares, for club owners to meet and talk about how to improve business, for parents to learn more about the way of the sport, for beginning fencers to learn some new tricks, for coaches to learn some new tricks, for up and coming referees to learn and practice officiating, and for everyone interested to learn about the various armoring duties and needs.

Of course, few, if any, of such things are ever initiated. Heck, I can't even get five guys together for a good game of poker.

BTW, if anyone is interested, we should get a game going at the Wellesley Inns & Suites. Maybe on the 4th, as that might be a short day.

[Dee EffEll]

Originally posted by edew


Of course, few, if any, of such things are ever initiated. Heck, I can't even get five guys together for a good game of poker.

BTW, if anyone is interested, we should get a game going at the Wellesley Inns & Suites. Maybe on the 4th, as that might be a short day.

You're on. Bring money.

[edew]

I'll be in room 1179, booked with my Discover Card: 6001 2931 1160 9090 expiration date 10/05.

[Dee EffEll]

Originally posted by edew
I'll be in room 1179, booked with my Discover Card: 6001 2931 1160 9090 expiration date 10/05.

Great. Last time it was that Confederate money. Now this.

It's TEXAS, dad-gummit! Ya don't go to a poker game with plastic. Ya bring yer cash and yer shootin' iron. And if you gots trouble with yer shootin' iron, you can fix it with a propane torch!

[edew]

So will it be Texas hold'em, or 7-card stud, or a melange of everything? Baseball? Late-night UNIX?

[KShan5[PrFC]]

Originally posted by edew
The original plan for the Summer Nationals (when it began in 1997)

Not been around long enough. 1997? What did ya'll do before then? What was the fencing "social event of the year"?

[neevel]

It used to be that National Championships was held in early-to-mid June, and always encompassed all the various championship events (Div. I, Div. II, Junior, Cadet, etc.).

What happened in 1997 was the USFA decided to split off Division I National Championships (i.e., the "real" national championship which counts for World Champs. team selection) from the rest of the nationals events, which were then expanded and moved to the first week of July as Summer Nationals. This was done so that, in years when World Championships is held relatively early (e.g. August), Div. I Nationals could be held earlier (April, usually) allowing team selection to be finalized sooner and giving the team members adequate time to train. In years when W.Champs is held later (such as this year-- 9/29-10/7), Div. I Championships is usually held concurrently with Summer Nationals.

The qualification path was also changed, so that national points are the chief criteria to qualify fencers for Div. I Nationals. Prior to that, Sectional championships served as a qualifying path for Div. I Nats.

-Dave