I have a feeling this website isn't being used or updated......that's so sad.....

Everyone worked so hard to make a good club, and it seems like it has just faded away........

Here is a copy of a letter from the USFA concerning a new Veteran tourny path. No changes until 2011, but

it looks hopeful that this will allow more events in the future for us old folks.

To: USFA Veteran Fencers                                         October 13, 2009

From: Mark Stasinos, Vice-President

I wanted to address the Veteran Community to thank you for your input, suggestions and comments in regards to the PROPOSED TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE.  Shortly a Document will be posted on the USFA Website that will address the process that was undertaken in reviewing our national tournaments and championships. This will hopefully address most of your questions with the process.   Next, because this was a PROPOSAL we wanted the input from the Veteran community and allow a dialog and not move forward without the voice of the Veterans in this process. This is part of the new transparency of this Administration and doing the right thing with the input of an informed constituency. Your voice is important to us in this Administration. Change can be difficult but through information, discussion and consensus we take the first step in a continuous improvement process in order to achieve greater long-term success. We ask, as new have now and in the future, for everyone to be a part of this process.  I want to extend a special thanks to Rinaldo Campana, the Chairman for the Veterans, for the hours of the behind the scene discussions and assisting in carrying the message of the Veteran' s to the Administration. I know many thought he was standing silent but I assure you he worked diligently and directly with us to create a outcome that would be beneficial and a outcome that would best serve the Veterans.  Although financial issues are not the driving force behind this proposal, the reality is that a viable, not for profit organization needs to develop sponsors. Expansion of the national Veterans fencing image is marketable and of great value and will benefit the sport as a whole. In addition, if the Veterans want to exercise their prerogative with their financial clout, the establishment of the USFA Veterans Designated Fund established by this Administration, permits Veterans to assert and control program that will enhance Veterans fencing through the development of regional tournaments, regional training camps, coach seminars, etc.

The current model of events will stand, two NAC's and Summer Nationals. In addition the Open Veteran Teams will be added to this years National Championships. The National Team selection will remain the same. We will begin in 2011 add Veteran events to the ROC's for developmental purposes, without points for team selection but as an additional qualifying path to the Summer Nationals.

In the future as the number of Veteran Competitor's grow we will need to reevaluate the Veterans Events, qualifying paths and the awarding of points for team selection. This, again, will not be done without the input of the Veteran Community.

I offer my sincerest thanks to all and I always welcome your comments.

Sincerely,
Mark Stasinos

Currently the FIE World Fencing Championships.  

There is quite a bit of LIVE video feeds as well as archived video of previous bouts.  If you get a chance, check it out.

You can get there by following the link on our main page. 

--- My workout ---

 Here is a basic workout I try tt do twice a week (as my knees allow). This doesn't require any equipment other than some stairs and a space to perform footwork in. 

First, warmup:

I prefer a couple of miles on a stationary or road bicycle, some folks prefer a short run.

Stretching:

I usually perform the same routine that we do at the club.

Shoulders
Arms over the back
Feet apart, touch the floor
Shift to right foot
Shift to left foot
Down and back
Right quad stretch
Left quad stretch
Sit, right foot in, grasp left ankle
Left foot in, grasp right ankle
Pull left leg into chest, hold
Stretch lower back to the left
Pull right leg into chest, hold
Stretch lower back to the right 

I also stretch my calves and Achilles tendons.

My Workout:

 Abs

1) Bicycle Crunch Exercise

• Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground.
  
  Put your hands beside your head.
  
  Bring your knees up to about a 45-degree angle and slowly go through a bicycle pedal motion.
• Touch your left elbow to your right knee, then your right elbow to your left knee.
• I do 10 touches each for right and left, then rest for a count of 10, then repeat for 9 more times.

2) Reverse Crunch

• Lie on your back with knees bend and feet on the floor
• Place hands on the floor or behind the head.
• Bring your knees up towards the chest so they bend about 90 degrees
• Contract your abs and lift your hips off the floor in a very small movement.
• I do this 10 times, rest for a count of 10, the repeat for 9 more times.

Step stuff

1) Single step

• Step up with my right foot, then step down, 20 repititions.
• Step up with my left foot, then step down, 20 reps.
• Step up with my right foot, bringing my right knee up high, then down, 20 reps.
• Step up with my left foot, bringing my left knee up high, then down, 20 reps.
• Starting with my right leg, lunge onto the step, hold for a count of 5, then recover back. 20 reps.
• Same with my left leg, lunge onto the step, hold for a count of 5, then recover back. 20 reps.

2) Two steps

• Step up with my right, then my left onto the same step, then down. 20 reps slowly, 20 more reps faster
• Step up with my right, then my left up to the next step, then down.

There has been some discussion around the fencing community lately that the bottom part of the foil mask would become valid target area, as soon as this year in some events, would would be required in ALL events in the USA by next year.

That has been postponed for now.  So, good news, we won't need to worry about buying the new mask anytime soon.

An sample of the new mask is shown below.

The mask on the right also shows the way fencing masks are headed.  Instead of a mesh covering the entire front of the mask, the new design has a clear Lexan shield that gives a better view of the fencers eyes and expression.  The Lexan shield is just as strong (if not stronger) than the mesh that surrounds it.

Something to put on your wishlists, hmmmmm ??