Capital City Fencers’ Club News

August 16, 2021

August fencing news

We are back to fencing practice this fall!

Scroll down and you shall find…

1. Come one come all, fencing is back Sept 13!

2. COVID policy (NEW!)

3. New practice structure includes skills clinics!

4. Beginners Class

5. 2021 OSM August Open coming up!

6. Picnic: duels impress Ogopogo!

7. CCFC supported by BC Government, ViaSport and KidSport this year

Come one come all, fencing is back Sept 13!

We meet again at Royal Oak Middle School starting Monday, September 13.

Please help us start the year right and come out the first week! The more the merrier… plus we want to get the gear assigned right away (and ensure everyone gets exactly what they need!)

I promise you first night challenges, prizes, & mayhem!

Practices times this year are MONDAY 8-10 pm and WEDNESDAY 7:30-9:30pm.

SCHEDULE NOTE: There will be no fencing on Election Day (September 20). There will be no fencing on Wednesday September 20 due to a school function and Thanksgiving Monday due to the stat.

Other than those three dates, we will be fencing Fall 2021 every Monday and Wednesday from September 13 to December 15.

COVID policy

NEW: COVID vaccine Policy

All CCFC fencers are expected to be fully vaccinated, if medically possible. This is to ensure maximum safety for participants.

Club COVID motto: “If you don’t like being jabbed with long pointy metal things, you might be in the wrong sport!”

Equipment rental

We will continue our “no-sharing” policy for equipment.

Rental of jacket, mask, glove, lame, and chest protector (if needed) is $250 ($225 refunded on return) for the season September 2021 – June 2022. Swords and wires will be shared but cleaned between uses. This allows us to manage maintenance and repairs of the electrical equipment.

Our first sessions will involve some time ensuring everyone gets the best fit gear so please come right at the start and be patient!

Fencers who purchase their own equipment will receive a 100% refund of the rental cost.

Fencers who have a partial kit will be offered a pro-rated rental rate. Please discuss with pro-rated rentals with Stacy (by reply email).

Start time

To assist volunteers managing COVID Check in, please arrive on time at start of practice where possible.

Payment

We will continue avoiding cash handling. Payment can be accepted via e-transfer on pay by cheque. If you do bring cash, please bring correct amount as we may not have change.

Feed have not changed: $40/month or $10/drop in. $60 for the 8 session beginner class (which also includes tournament and one month membership)

Masks, cleaning, etc

CCFC will continue to monitor and follow BC COVID guidelines.

We will continue the following:

– Hand sanitation and COVID check on entry.

– Providing wipes and hand sanitizer to clean hands and shared equipment (like clips on the reels) between uses.

– Setting up equipment to allow distancing while waiting for bouts.

– Once you have your equipment signed out, please come to the gym dressed; as change rooms may not be available.

– Please bring a full water bottle rather than use the fountain.

New practice structure: More skill development

Beginning in September, practice will include 30 minutes of skill development practice to start each session. These sessions will be offered as part of your regular membership fees/drop in fees. This will build on the clinics developed by Isaac Carther-Hughes. He will take the lead on these sessions, but we also have some other schemes in the works… such as sessions led by Miko Ross to entice you to try epée!

We cannot promise Isaac will not play WHAM! during these sessions. He recently proposed this new club uniform:

Beginners class

We will be offering beginners class. Thanks to Trevor and Benson, our dedicated volunteers we will be able to welcome new fencers back to the club this fall!

The fee will still be $60. Equipment will continue to be included but will be assigned and not shared. Equipment will be stored at the club.

Fall session will start Wednesday September 29.

Please help us by encouraging your friends to sign up!

2021 OSM August Open

If you feel ready for some competition before the season, check out the 2021 OSM August Open

Location: MCKinnon Gym, Uvic

When: August 28th/29th

Events: Y10 Mixed Foil/Epee, Cadet(Y17) Mixed Foil/Epee, Senior Mixed Foil/Epee

Registration Fee: FREE

Awards: Medals, Certificates, Prizes!

Pre-registration Link: https://askfred.net/Events/whoIsComing.php?tournament_id=48412

Please register ASAP!

Picnic

Thanks to everyone who came out for our August picnic!

There was some fencing, some fencing on picnic tables, and then… the crazy stuff James initiates

Rumour is Ogopogo ate the two older Barss’ so that’s why you may not see them at the club this Fall.

CCFC supported by BC Government, ViaSport and KidSport this year

CCFC is grateful to have received the following grants to support us this year:

BC Government

BC Government Community Gaming Grants have come through for us again with a grant that will help cover rent, youth travel to tournaments, and coaching.

ViaSport COVID relief

ViaSport’s generous COVID relief grant is a one-time support that will help CCFC recover the cost of continuing operations during COVID. This support allows us to start the year strong, and continue our

KidSport – Girls’ fencing clinic!

As noted in our previous newsletter, we have been awarded a Girls Empowerment grant. Superstars Anna and Katherine Smith have agreed to coach our weekend girls-only clinic in January 2022.

Who to watch in Paralympic Fencing!

I haven’t had much luck finding streams for the Paralympic fencing (please share if you have!), but I did find this story of Canadian Fencer Ryan Rousell:

https://globalnews.ca/news/8111495/saskatchewan-athlete-paralympics-wheelchair-fencing/

Ryan is one of four Paralympian fencers representing Canada in Tokyo this month.