Best fencing clubs for an exchange student to canada or Britain in 2005

[Avril Roddam]

Yes, I really want to be an exchange (and I'm sure my parents would like to get rid of me for the year) student in 2005. I'll be going to either Canada or Britain. I'll be doing year 12 over there, but I'm going for the fencing, not the education! :P So, please tell me where the best clubs in Canada and Britain are (I know how good Haverstock is!). Don't just name your club, I know how tempting that is, but please tell me the REALLY good clubs!

Cheers, Avril.

[MyraTrue]

we-e-e-ell...

I exchanged with the University of Wales Aberystwyth, and I had a great time with the club there. I know I learned a lot, enjoyed what I did. However, the coach, Munro Taylor, passed away several months ago () so I'm not sure what the coaching situation still looks like. I know they do have other coaches, but I worked almost exclusively with Munro.

As to people, GREAT people.

Well... Wales was the closest I could give you. *Grin*

[Avril Roddam]

Thanx Myra.

P.S. I FENCE EPEE.

[MyraTrue]

Good choice of weapons. And Aber could always use more women, I think. *grin* I can put you in touch with people if you'd even consider it.

And the club... well, with our women's captain, we were populated with short and wicked women epeeists. WOO!

[Avril Roddam]

thanx Myra, that'd be great!

[Dave]

You are sending the poor girl to Aber!!!

Noooooooooo don't do it.

Stuck on the arse end of the Wales with nothing but sheep for company. Ok admittedly the students are great people but I hear that if you aren't one it isn't the place to be.

For the best epee in the UK there are two main clubs Haverstock and LTFC which are in the north and south of london respectivly. Have a look at the mens epee rankings if you want any proof

http://www.btinternet.com/~fencing/me311list.html

opps here are the womens ones as well

http://rankings.stormloader.com

Bath is also very good as it has the UK pentathlete training centre there.

But London really is the place to be for access to the best fencing in the country. There are many other good clubs but for sheer concentration of quality fencers and coaches it is the only choice.


Dave

ps don't come to Southampton we are the fencing black spot of the country

[MyraTrue]

yes, but she'd be exchanging as a student. *grins* And yes, its been said Aber's pretty far from anything, but I still like Aber. I'm still mad when I realize I spent 6 months there, and never ONCE at anything seafood-ish. And now I'm back to being landlocked 10 hours from the nearest coast.

[Dave]

yes, but she'd be exchanging as a student.

ahh that is different. Year 12 here is school age which threw me. In that case have a look at the busa results to see who is doing well this year.

www.busaresults.org.uk

Normally this means Durham, oxbridge and the london universities.

Aber are also doing all right at the moment as well.


But don't come to southampton we are good but only because good fencers come here not the coaching that we provide.

[veeco]

For the best epee clubs in Canada I would go with Estoc, and Bois de Boulogne in Quebec. And yes, people do speak English as well there ;-)

[Shena]

Where in Canada are you thinking about going? I agree, in Quebec City, Estoc is the best, Bois de Boulogne the best in Montreal, and in the West, Epic is a good club (I think thats what its called, anyway the coach's name is Leslie Palmai). Also there is a good coach in BC somewhere, his name is Jerzy. I'm not sure if its in Vancouver or Victoria. All these clubs have National Team fencers in them.
Oh and just a thought- you are in grade 12?- if you are going to Quebec they dont have grade 12, its a wierd system that ends in grade 11 then you have to go to CEGEP (like college) for 2 years then you can go to university...
Anyways, do a little research- www.fencing.ca Lots of good stuff on this site, links to almost every club in Canada.

[kalivor]

Other places in Canada have been covered, so I guess I'll take a stab at Ontario:

The Toronto Fencing Club in Toronto, and the Excalibur Fencing Club in Ottawa are the two strongest clubs for epee in the province.

[Louweasel]

Originally posted by Dave
ahh that is different. Year 12 here is school age which threw me. In that case have a look at the busa results to see who is doing well this year.

www.busaresults.org.uk

Normally this means Durham, oxbridge and the london universities.

Threw me too.

Anyway, i went to university in Durham and started fencing at the club there which was great. If it's still the same coach he's called (sthg like) Laszlo Jakab (never saw it written down) and used to coach the hungarian olympic team.
Durham's a beautiful little city too, despite the wind straight off the Urals...brrrrr...

More choice of everything in London though.

[Avril Roddam]

thanx everyone. (please excuse the lower case letters coz i'm having 2 hold the 'out put' plug into our computer so the internet doesn't disconnect.

anyway, i'm in year 10, which, in tasmania, is the last year of highshool. i'm 16, so, i'm talking about doing my 2nd year of college (college is years 11 & 12) in canada or the uk.
not uni. i think college is called senior high in canada, but i'm not sure

thanx again, av.

[SJB]

Canada:

I'll start by going East to West.

Quebec: Estoc in Quebec City has a two men's epee and one women's epee national team member there.

BDB in Montreal also has good epeeists. However, having some ability with french is advisable if you plan to train in Quebec.

Ontario was already covered.

Saskatechwan: Salle Seguin in Saskatoon has two men's Epee national team members, one senior and one junior.

Alberta: Epic Fencing Club has the former national team coach for men and women's epee, Leslie Palmai, and one senior men's epee team member as well as one women's epee nationl team member.

British Columbia: Dynamo in Vancouver is a young club but they have a couple of cadet and junior men's epee national team members.

If you need anymore info ask away.

[labouche]

There aren't any really good clubs in Canada. Come to NY.

[Avril Roddam]

thanx SJB,
I'm not entirely sure where I'm going to, but I REALLY want to go to Canada. I think where I go will depend on what student hosts are close to what clubs and colleges.

Thanx, you've been a great help.

[SJB]

Should you need anymore assitance feel free to PM me.