2008-2009 Calendar of Events

*UBC Fencing Club member-only event

2008:

September 2 -- AMS Main Carnival event
September 17-19 -- Clubs Days

October 4-5 -- Northern Freeblades Fence-Off Tournament (hosted by UNBC Freeblades Fencing Club)
October 4-5 -- Leon Auriol Open (hosted USFA Western Washington Division)
October 9 -- Deadline for paying deposits and placing an order for term 1 club equipment order
October 25* -- Halloween Tournament (UBC Fencing Club member-only event)

November 15* -- Fall Tournament (UBC Fencing Club member-only event)
December 4 -- Christmas party

December 13-14 -- Dynamo Duel Senior Tournament (hosted by Dynamo Fencing Club)
December 20 -- Santa Junior Mixed Open (hosted by North Vancouver Fencing Club)


2009:

January 3-4 -- Vancouver Open (hosted by La Salle Fencing Club)
January 9-11 -- Battle in Seattle (hosted by USFA Western Washington Division)
January 11 -- Club clothing design contest closes 11:00 pm
January 12 -- Deadline for paying deposits and placing an order for term 2 club equipment order at 11:00 pm
January 14 -- Voting for clothing design deadline at 11:00 pm (will be voted via email; one vote per person)

February 5 -- Deadline for paying deposits for club clothing orders
February 7 -- Intercollegiate Tournament (hosted by UBC Fencing Club; university fencing club members-only event)
February 15 -- MTFC "Yesterday Was Valentine's Day" Tournament (hosted by Metro Tacoma Fencing Club) - club road trip, ask Jeff about carpooling
February 26 -- Annual General Meeting - 7:00-7:15 pm in SUB Ballroom

March 5 -- Elections Day - 7:00-7:30 pm in SUB Ballroom
March 14 -- Stephen Lazar Memorial Tournament (hosted by UBC Fencing Club)

April 11 -- Watchmen movie social event
April 18-19 -- BC Provincial Championships (hosted by Dynamo Fencing Club)
April 25 -- WWU Intercollegiate Fencing Tournament (hosted by Western Washington University Fencing Club) - club road trip, ask Jeff about carpooling
April 26 -- BBFA Spring Tournament (hosted by Bellingham Bay Fencing Association)

May 15-17 -- 9th Annual Rain City Open (hosted by Rain City Fencing Center) - club road trip

Christmas party and Fall Tournament photos

Hi folks,

The Christmas photos are now up on our Flickr website, under Miscellaneous Stuff.

Our club Flickr site is here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/17632471@N06/

Also, Diondi has taken some photos during our Fall Tournament. His photos can be viewed here.

Santa Junior Mixed Sabre Open -- December 20, 2008

Hi everyone,

North Vancouver Fencing Club is hosting their annual Santa Junior Mixed Sabre Open on Saturday, December 20, 2008.

The tournament will be held at Seylynn Hall (605 Mountain highway) in North Vancouver, BC.

It will be a junior U19 (under 19 years of age) mixed sabre event. Registration closes at 11:00 am.

Entry fee: $25

Requirements include a validated BCFA membership and CFF licence.

Pre-registration closes on December 19, 2008.

More information can be found at: http://askfred.net/Events/moreInfo.php?tournament_id=7497&FREDSID=530f2c23256c9e701cdfff55e2ca718c

To pre-register, go to askfred here: http://askfred.net/Events/Prereg/prereg.php?tournament_id=7497

If you have any questions about this tournament, please contact Zbig Pietrusinski at 604-984-2157 , or email him at zbig-nvfc@shaw.ca

Term 2 Club Equipment Order

We are going to do a term 2 club equipment order in January. We are accepting orders as of today, however, the 80% non-refundable deposits will be collected during the first fencing week of January (5th and 8th). So, take your time in deciding what you would like to order for yourself. We hope by January that the exchange rate and Canadian dollar will be better.

We are asking a 80% deposit of the initial total cost of the item(s) you want ordered. To make things easier, if the item(s) you want on the Absolute Fencing website comes to $100 USD (without taxes, duty or shipping), you will be paying us a non-refundable deposit of $80 CAD. We are aware of the fact that the Canadian dollar and exchange rate changes on a daily basis which is why we would like the "80% of the initial total cost" in Canadian dollars. Whatever is remaining (conversion from USD to CAD, taxes and shipping costs) will be calculated and billed to you once the equipment arrives. You will be billed the remaining amount at time of item pick-up.

Here is the website: http://www.absolutefencinggear.com

Please provide us with the EXACT product name, price (in USD dollars), catalog number, size, colour, hand (left or right handed), and any other important details that will help me determine which item(s) you want. It gets even more tedious when you order clothing or full weapons, so DO BE SPECIFIC.

We will be taking in orders starting today until January 4, 2009. We will be taking in the deposits starting Monday, January 5, 2009, and the last day to pay for the deposit is Thursday, January 8, 2009.

Please send us your order via EMAIL, it's just easier that way to manage records in the event there is some form of miscommunication. Please send the email to fencingubc@gmail.com

Just to clarify on the discounts, we get 20% off Absolute Fencing (AF) equipment. The 20% club discount we get from Absolute Fencing applies to only Absolute Fencing-brand items. AF kits get 5% discount mainly because you already save a lot of money by ordering a kit so the best discount they can give us is 5% off. Despite that, the club still receives a smaller discount regardless of brand but it varies between each brand (Negrini, Leon Paul, Uhlmann). It is obvious we get the biggest discount on AF brand items.

Here is a breakdown of the different club discounts by brand:

For Uhlmann and Negrini, all FIE blades, and French and German parts -- 15% discount
For Leon Paul products -- 10% discount
For Absolute Fencing brand items (not including kits) -- 20% discount


There seems to be some confusion on how to measure yourself to figure out which size fits you best. Here's some helpful tips on how to measure yourself properly so that you'll be able to order the right size.

For chest protectors, they come in sizes XS to SL. Here is a breakdown of the sizes in detail:
XS = for girls who are under 12, or under 30A
S = is 32 ABC cup
M = is 34 BCD cup
L = is 36 BCD
XL = 38 and higher

Here's the Absolute Fencing sizing chart, for your convenience -- http://www.absolutefencinggear.com/Sizing.pdf

Note that for AF cotton jackets, measure your chest and THEN add an additional 6 inches. For AF nylon jackets, add an additional 4 inches. E.g. if you measured yourself to be 34 inches, add 6 inches -- so you would order a size 40 cotton jacket.

Here's a better diagram to better measure yourself -- http://www.fencepbt.com/pbthome3.nsf/70C93D082F9947218525704D006E70DB/346370E6002776BA8525707A0067FF4A?OpenDocument

For breeches/pants, you measure your waist. If you are a 32", then order 32". If you are slightly over 32" and prefer something a little more roomier, then I would suggest 34".

If you have a 38" chest, then I would suggest that you order 38" or 40". It really depends on the stretch of the material and the brand name. Uhlmann and Leon Paul brands, for example, have different sizing charts.

Here is some information grips and sizing information -- http://www.amfence.com/html/grip_pics.html

If you're a beginner, I would recommend that you get yourself a french grip so you won't pick up any bad habits, plus your point control would be much better. French handles/grips come in one size so there's no need to fret over which "size" is right for you, unlike pistol grips.

However, if you want to get a pistol grip, here are some useful information. Pistol grips all vary in size and style. There are many different types such as Visconti, Belgium, Russian, Rambeau, etc. People usually go for Visconti, it's more of a preference thing. It's best to physically try out a pistol grip before ordering one. The best way to do so is if you see a club member with one, politely ask him/her if you could hold onto it for a second. You'll either like it or you don't.

Glove size: 6 or 7 = Visconti extra-small, SchermaSport small
Glove size 7 or 8 = Visconti small, Belgian Standard, SchermaSport medium
Glove size 8 or 9 = Visconti small, Belgian Standard
Glove size 9 or 10 = Visconti medium, Belgian Modern, SchermaSport medium, German, Rambeau
Glove size 10 or 11 = Visconti large, Russian, Belgian Large, SchermaSport large

For glove size, you should measure around the palm of your hand excluding the thumb, and then add 0.5" - take a look at this diagram -- http://www.fencepbt.com/pbthome3.nsf/70C93D082F9947218525704D006E70DB/6B8DB481F46951648525707A0068442D?OpenDocument

For example, if you are a size 7" for gloves, then add 0.5" - you should order size 7.5" gloves.

Good luck!

Extended practices for December

Hi everyone,

Fencing practices this semester have been extended to the end of December. You can find it here. I did not book a fencing practice on Christmas Day since, well, who fences on Christmas anyway?

Good luck on your exams and hope you all have a wonderful winter break.

See you in January!