Vermont Summer Foil/Epee Clinic

Vermont Summer Fencing Clinic Where: Mary Hogan School, Middlebury Vt. 201 Mary Hogan Drive, Middlebury, Vermont 05753 When: July 27-29 (see schedule below) For who: Youth, teen and adult foil and epee fencers, all levels except rank beginner. Teen and adult fencers of any skill level, and advanced youth fencers (ages 11-12 with 2+ years fencing and some competition experience), may register immediately. Youth fencers with less than 2 years experience or younger than 11 need permission from Viveka (priority will go to older/more experienced fencers, but focussed and mature younger students may be admitted if there is space). Note that, unlike many fencing clinics and camps, this one is very welcoming to adult and veteran fencers, and we anticipate having a good contingent of adult participants. How many: We need a minimum of 20 registered by June 4 in order to run the clinic. Maximum is 20 fencers per weapon (so up to 40 total), to ensure plenty of personal feedback and coaching for all students. Cost: $150 if 20-28 fencers attend, $125 if we get 28-40. Hospitality: this is a day camp, but it may be possible to house fencers who live far away with local host families-please let Viveka know if interested in that. There are also numerous hotels, campgrounds, etc close to Middlebury for families that would like to do some vacationing while one member is taking the clinic. Senior Coaching Staff Bruce Gilman (Poughkeepsie NY, epee). Head coach of the successful Vassar University team since 2005, Bruce has more than three decades experience in coaching fencers of all ages and weapons. He began his fencing career as a member of the University of Rochester team. Prior to his appointment at Vassar, he was assistant coach at Sacred Heart University, and owner and chief instructor at the Fencing Center of Long Island. He is a top level referee nationally and a longtime Referee Examiner for the USFA Fencing Officials Commission. He is a member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association and a Prevot in all three weapons. Gilbert Gelinas (Blainville, Quebec, foil). Head coach and founder of Les Seigneurs de la Rive Nord, Gilbert has a degree in physical education with a special interest in sports psychology. After a successful competitive career (Canadian National B Team in 1989), he founded SRN in 1992 and has developed it into one of Canada's most successful clubs, with multiple athletes on national teams. He has been instrumental in organizing regional and international tournaments in Quebec. He is known for his passion and energy, and his athletes credit him with teaching not only the physical skills of fencing, but also sportsmanship, perseverence, work ethic, and character. Local coaches Viveka Fox and Geoff Butler Also, a wonderful crew of teaching assistants TBA. Tentative Schedule Friday July 27, 7-9 p.m Open Fencing, including instructors (who are happy to give you feedback and pointers all weekend). Electric strips will be set up. 9 pm Yogurt City (frozen yogurt), Main St in Middlebury Saturday July 28 9-10 a.m. warm up and footwork 10 am-12. Training session #1 12-1. Brown bag lunch and discussion 1-3 p.m. Training session #2 3-7 p.m. Swim in town pool (a short walk from the gym, cost $3 for age 16+, $2 for age 15 and younger). Dinner from local restaurants (many choices within walking distance of the gym). Teen and adult campers are free to walk to the pool and restaurants on their own, kids under age 13 will be assigned an older teen or adult chaperone. 7-9 p.m. Open Fencing (like Friday) 9 pm Yogurt City (frozen yogurt), Main St in Middlebury Sunday July 29 9-10 a.m. warm up and footwork 10 am-12. Training session #3 12-1. Brown bag lunch and discussion 1-3 p.m. Informal competition Clinic officially ends at 3, but the town pool is open, and a group of us will certainly be going for a well-deserved swim. What to bring to the clinic Basic uniform (jacket, mask, glove, underarm protector, practice weapon)-this will not be provided. Shorts may be allowed for some lessons/drills, but fencing knickers or sweatpants will be needed for all bouting. For all rated fencers: complete electric equipment-minimum of 2 working weapons and 2 body cords, plus lame for foilists. Loaner electric equipment is for unrated students only. Water bottle (important! no fountain in gym) Bag lunch for each day, snacks (recommended: a small cooler) Swimsuit and towel if you want to swim Money for the pool, dinner and ice cream (not included in camp fee) How to register: 1. Signing up on AskFRED does not guarantee you a place (deposit does), but lets me know quickly how many and who is planning to come, and lets you see who else is coming for the purpose of carpooling and hospitality, and lets me advertise the clinic beyond the VFA email list. So go ahead and put your name down! 2. Email Viveka at vfox@gmavt.net and request a registration form 3. Mail registration form and $100 NONREFUNDABLE deposit, checks payable to VFA, to Viveka Fox, 1379 Mountain Rd, Vergennes, VT 05491. I must receive your check by June 4 to guarantee that the clinic will be held and to save your place in it. Balance will be due at the clinic itself. If clinic is cancelled due to underenrollment, or if it is full and there is not room for you, I will return your deposit. 4. Places for teens, adults, and advanced youth ages 11-12 (those with 2+ years fencing and some competition experience) will be filled first come-first served. If all places are not filled by June 4, youth fencers (ages 10-12) with less than 2 years experience who have applied will be admitted if I feel they are ready for this type of intensive experience.