A Shorter Night

Back from break and new records set.

• First Bout: Mr. E. Hill vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary proves that saber technique is terrible for foil. (5-0). Foil.

• Second Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Mr. K. Ly. (5-2). Foil.

• Third Bout: Mr. E. Hill vs. Mr. M. Zeller. (5-4). Foil.

• Final Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary proves that saber drills do help with saber. (7-6). Saber.

After which, Mr. Instructor demonstrated the basics of Saber to several promising new recruits, and Mr. Z. broke another saber blade.

"Real fencers know that I can’t keep form, and the PHC fencing club makes me their instructor." ~Mr. Instructor Lorrig*

*He can keep form quite well during a match.

After the Hiatus

Since the fencers were unanimously desirous of fighting, the drills were once again shortened and the fighting commenced.

• First Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-4). Saber.

• Second Bout: Mr. President vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-3). Foil.

• Third Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. P. Kamakawiwoole. (5-3). Foil.

• Fourth Bout: Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. B. Flint. In which is seen most unusual and creative footwork. (5-4). Foil.

• Fifth Bout: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer. In which was seen how aggressive a fencer can be made after the mention of a troublesome class. In which was also demonstrated that fencing swords can break. (7-5). Saber.

• Sixth Bout: Mr. N. Ryan vs. Mr. President. In which the president was soundly beaten and both parties received minor injuries. (7-2). Saber.

• Seventh and Final Bout: Ms. Treasurer vs. Ms. Secretary. (7-4). Saber.

"Weapons: Weapons should be regularly checked to ensure they are in a safe usable condition.
Blades: Blades should be observed and tested to see whether any portion is "soft", that is to say whether any portion of the blade bends more than the rest. "Softness" indicates a dangerous weakness which may lead to a break A 'soft' portion is indicated when a blade bends into an irregular or uneven curve. The portion which bends more than the rest is 'soft'. A new blade should be tested by placing the point on the floor and depressing the top about six inches and checking that it bends evenly. Blades can be checked similarly during the non-fencing breaks in a bout. " ~http://www.shakespearesswords.co.uk/safety_guidelines.htm

A Quiet Night?

For the first time, Mr. President N. Bolzman led drills after Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig had led warm-ups. Happily, Mr. President taught new and interesting moves. Interestingly, Mr. Instructor did not completely demonstrate his superiority in the drills. Unfortunately, Mr. President will need to learn projection before he will be able to effectively lead drills on a consistent basis.

Due to the conflicting schedules, here follows a shortened and incomplete account of the night. Additions are welcome.

• First match: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. B. Flint. In which Mr. Flint holds his own remarkably well (5-3). Foil.

• Second: Mr. President vs. Mr. G. Evans. Which transpires much as expected (5-1). Foil.

• Thrid: Mr. President vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary displays her taste for blood and Mr. President demonstrates his taste for metal (7-3) Saber.

"Foil technique emphasises strong defence and the killing attack to the body." "Sabre technique emphasises speed, feints, and strong offence." "Fencing is one of the safest sports, yet gives a wonderful, stimulating workout of body and mind."

http://www.shakespearesswords.co.uk/starting.htm

A Night of Fight

Due to the lack of members, the instructor (with the Secretary heartily in concurrence) called off the drills. Instead, there were various and sundry matches.

• First match: Ms. K. Graupner vs. Ms. Secretary A. Flowers. Or rather a rematch, in which Ms. Secretary nearly redeemed herself. (5-4). Foil.

• Second: Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig vs. Mr. E. Hill. In which Mr. Hill nearly held his own. (5-3). Foil.

• Match the Thrid: Mr. G. Evans vs. Mr. K. Ly. A close match with a twist at the end. (5-4). Foil.

• Fourth of the night: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Secretary. In which Ms. Secretary had her first taste of hard knocks, both given and received. (7-2). Saber.

• Fifth: Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer G. Farris. A match of questionable outcome due to poor directing by a complete novice, Ms. Secretary. (7-5). Double Sabers.

• Sixth: Mr. E. Hill vs. Mr. S. Swendsboe. In which it is proved that hakama do not help fencers. (5-0). Foil.

• Seventh and final: Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. N. Ryan. (7-6).

"The 'right of way' principle in foil and sabre is that the first person to properly execute an attack has priority. Simply put, if one is attacked, one must defend oneself before counterattacking -- rather than attempting to hit one's opponent even at the risk of being hit oneself. Attacks can be made to fail either by bad luck, misjudgement or by action on the part of the defender. A properly executed parry (deflecting the incoming attack with one's own blade) causes priority to change and the defender has the opportunity to attack (riposte). The original attacker must counterparry the defender's reposte before attacking again, but if the parry is ineffectual (malparry), if the riposte misses, or the defender hesitates before riposting, the attacker can continue his attack (remise or redoublement ) without counterparrying." http://www.arthistoryclub.com/art_history/Fencing#Right_of_way

A Long Night

Commendations for good drilling both on the part of the fencers and instructor.

Bouts I-IV were for the purpose of instruction on foil (experienced fencers vs. novices). These were followed by entertaining matches on saber.

• I. Mr. Instructor Lorrig vs. Mr. J. Nichols. (5-3).

• II. Mr. President N. Bolzman vs. Mr. P. Kamakawiwoole. (5-2).

• III. Mr. M. Davis vs. Mr. E. Hill. (5-1).

• IV. Ms. K. Graupner vs. Ms. Secretary A. Flowers. (5-1).

• V. Mr. Instructor vs. Mr. President. In which Mr. Instructor takes revenge for the last week (7-6).

• VI. Mr. N. Ryan vs. Ms. Treasurer G. Farris. (7-4).

• VII. Mr. Instructor vs. Ms. Treasurer. (7-6).

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

"The secret to fencing consists in two things: to give and to not receive." ~Molière

Most Recent Events

These are the records of Friday night's significant events.

• First Bout: New to the club, Mr. G. Evans victor vs. Mr. B. Gibson. Fairly evenly matched (5-3). On Foil.

• Second: Mr. M. Davis vs. Mr. Instructor J. Lorrig. It would seem the instructor was instructed (5-1). On Foil.

• Third: Ms. G. Farris vs. Mr. N. Ryan. Excellently matched though convincingly won (5-4). On Saber.

• Fourth: Mr. President vs. Mr. Instructor. In which the Instructor redeemed himself (7-6). On Saber.

Due to certain complaints from fencers at large, I will hereafter discontinue the practice of recording the longest lunge. Regardless, it would appear that the maximum duration of a lunge which the fencers may endure is somewhere below 3 minutes. If the instructor makes a regular practice of requiring such extended stretching, then it is likely that he will be more consistently ignored or perhaps even deposed.

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

"Fencing is a metaphor for life. Attack, parry, respond, defeat, retreat, timing, distance, these elements of fencing are all skills of life." http://www.sport-fencing.com/fencing.htm

General Records

These are the night's significant events.

• First Bout: Mr. President Nicholas Bolzman victor vs. Faculty Club Sponsor Dr. G. T. Smith. Won by a lead of three points (5-2).

• Second: Mr. N. Isley victor vs. Ms. A. Flowers. Without contest (5-0).

• Third: Mr. K. Ly victor vs. Mr. M. Zeller. Won by two points (5-3).

• Fourth: Mr. N. Ryan victor vs. Faculty Club Sponsor. Nicely matched (5-4).

Mr. Instructor Lorrig's longest spiel during a lunge 1 minute 45 seconds (official approximation). Unofficial estimation: 9 minutes 59.99 seconds (pain and discomfort included in the calculations.)

A. Flowers ~ Secretary

Another Year

We're back again for another year of fencing. Last night's meeting saw a good turnout of around twenty-two eager fencers, and the new members got to take turns at attempting to impale each other.

The meeting also featured our election for the offices of President, Treasurer, and Secretary for the 2005-2006 year. N. Bolzman was elected President, replacing J. Lorrig who will stay on as Instructor. G. Farris, who presided over the club in it's infant first year, has returned to fill the office of Treasurer. A. Flowers will follow me as Secretary.

With this post, I turn over the running of this Blog to our new officers, and wish them success in the coming year.

Repectfully yours,

E. Holmes, Secretary

The Battle Line

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Don't they look rather like a battle line? Quite fearsome.

* * *

Club Shots

Wow, what a snappy looking group. Out to slash each other again I see.



And what do I see here? Looks as though there's some instructing in poking and counter-poking going on. Be carful that you don't poke out somebody's- nevermind.







And the fearless Miss Farris looks on, weapon in hand.

Shall We Fence?

This is Holmes to anyone out there- hello? Is any one out there? Do you receive? Anyone?

...Hello?






Well, we've been deprived of some good fencing time lately due to a few rather nasty twists and turns of the academic (and very non-academic) calendar. When last we really met, however, there was some excitement. People were trying out sabers, the Instructor's Team trounced the former President's Team in some lovely "Guard the Parking Space" fencing games, and general felicity abounded.

Lately the club has graciously deferred to Eden Troupe's use of theTown Hall meeting space as their performance of William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" drew near (an excellent play, by the way- if you've not seen it you really ought to go to the last performance tonight at 7:30).

But the long-suffering and patience of the club members is about to pay off. We shall begin regular meetings again, hopefully this next weekend or so. I have heard rumors that our esteemed Club President, aka the Black Prince, would like to move meetings from Friday nights to Saturday afternoons. What say you?

Holmes,
Club Secretary



.

Fearless member number 8
Beware the snarl

2003 Memories

Here's a picture of some of the club at the end of the Spring 2004 semester, showing off the new vests and weapons.


(From left to right: Gabrielle, President 2003; Ashlea; Shelly; Sarah; Emily; Jonathan; Magnus; Ben; Josh; Nathan, Instructor)

Three Notices

Everyone should be allowed to have fun with a sword...once they understand exactly how to use it.
:-D

This grand tradition is what we are in the midst of working on. Therefore, I only apologize that the club didn't get to bout last week. (I know some of you new guys are looking forward to doing so: it's coming. You're getting close to ready.)

I have three notices to give the club. :)

The first is that one day this week, sometime around dinner, you will see Jeremiah and I going at it up near the main building. (No, for those who believe my wings should be clipped, this is not a personal dispute or a leadership dispute.) It was his idea...and quite frankly a good one. Hopefully, there will be enough people who see us that we could gather a few more recruits. The tentative date is Wednesday...we'll see how it goes.

The second notice is that my presence in the club this week is questionable. Sorry to you all, but my Dad will be here this weekend, and Friday is actually the day I will be in court. As such, and considering what we did last week, the "lesson" part of this week will be the refining of the parries you have learned. --Oh, and please do come with at least one or two attacks you have thought up. This is one way you will begin to gain an edge over your opponents even before you step on the strip. -- However, my Dad is a great fan of fencing, and it is possible that we will show...*shrugs* You'll know if I'm there.

The third is about the Tournament we are planning for the end of the semester. While I cannot dictate club policy, nor make offical pronouncements of that kind, I believe we are going to restrict the tournament to members of the club only. The Officers are discussing the best way to handle the situation at the present, but please don't go getting people's hopes up. Of course...they could always join the club, but if they do not train with us, we will need to be sure they can fence in the tournament safely. Also, there will probably be a small entry fee for the tournament, though I can pretty much say it will not exceed ten dollars. I doubt it will be more than five, but it depends on what we do for the tournament. Suggestions are welcome. Also, we may need some help in organizing it all...if you are interested, there will be more on that later.

The fourth is...

Oh, I've run out of notices. :) Oh well...such is life.

Have a great week, guys. Practice when you can. Don't let it get in the way of schoolwork. And if you could offer up a prayer for Friday, I'd appreciate it.

In Him,
Nathan Cooper
PHC Fencing Club Instructor

A Humble Beginning

This is the starting point for the Patrick Henry College Fencing Club’s web log. We hope to have updates, anecdotes, and random scraps of madness conducive to the alleviation of college pressure posted on a regular basis. So keep your weapon ready, your brain mostly functioning, and remember- it’s all in fun.

-Holmes,

Secretary