CFFA update for January 8

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for January 8
The NCFL meet scheduled for yesterday at Kestrel has been postponed until January 28.  I will keep potential NCFL fencers updated.
Afterschool should start back with a beginner class as well as
returners.  St. Mary follows whatever New Hanover does, so if you hear that New Hanover is not open then St. Mary will follow.  I will let people know if there is a decision to close.
The next evening set of beginner classes will start on January 10th at 6:30 pm.
No Wednesday evening practice downtown as UNCW is meeting on campus.

January 14th will be the next Homeschool meet, also in Elk Ridge.

No afterschool on January 16th as it is MLK Day.
UNCW is planning to start showing up Wednesday evenings on the 18th, so that will open up another opportunity for fencing.

January
21-22 is the Hangover Open in Richmond.  They usually have large opens, women’s
events, and D and under events.  However this year looks to be smaller than usual.  The entry deadline through askfred is, TODAY, January 8th.

There is an NCFL meet on January 21st.  It is supposed to be the individual
conference qualifiers to the individual championships. That may change with the postponement.

The
next home USA Fencing event will be the Old Man Winter on January
28th.  Open Foil, Open epee, and Vet 40+ epee.  Epee needs an A, a B, and a body to be an A event.  If we get our Vets signed up that could turn
into a C or B event.  The foil again looks bare.  Another opportunity for low level foilists to get some experience and possibly a rating.  Start getting signed up now.
An NCFL meet should be being held somewhere as the make up to yesterday.
The USA Fencing Nationals are very late this year and UNCW starts pretty early, so there is a big squeeze on trying to fit camps in.  There really are only four weeks available this year.
July 17 – 21
July 24 – 28
July 31 – August 4
August 7 – 11
I usually have the beginner camp the first week with an advanced individual weapon camp each of the next three weeks.  If someone has a week they cannot do a particular camp, but wants to do an advanced camp, please let me know now so I can start planning and advertising.  Thanks.
pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

NCFL meet cancelled/Saturday practice

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
NCFL meet cancelled/Saturday practice
The NCFL meet in Durham has been postponed, so I will be in at 10 am on Saturday for practice, weather permitting.  If the local weather is so bad I cannot make it in I will send out a note early Saturday morning.

Obviously, weather conditions can vary widely over the area.  Use good sense and evaluate the weather in your local area before attempting to come in for practice.

pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

Last CFFA update for 2016

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Last CFFA update for 2016
Captain Phillips finished the year in good style, winning the Last Chance Open sabre event at RTF today.
After
the beginning of the New Year the club will start back up on
the 3rd.  The next homeschool class will start on the 4th.

The next beginner class at Camp Lejeune starts on January 6th.  We will have some new people moving up to the advanced group.

The
7th is the first NCFL meet of 2017, at Kestrel Heights.  We hope to add
a New Hanover men’s team at that event.  That also means that Will and
Harry will be looking for new B team members.  Talk to me if you are
interested.

Afterschool
will start back up on the 9th with a beginner class as well as
returners.  The next evening set of beginner classes will start on January 10th at 6:30 pm.

January 14th will be the next Homeschool meet, also in Elk Ridge.

No afterschool on January 16th as it is MLK Day.

January
21-22 is the Hangover Open in Richmond.  They have large opens, women’s
events, and D and under events.  The entry deadline through askfred is
January 8th.

I
missed that there is an NCFL meet on January 2st.  It is the individual
conference qualifiers to the individual championships. 

Therefore we cannot hold a youth event on the 21st.  It looks like the earliest dates are in April that are not taken already.

The
next home USA Fencing event will be the Old Man Winter on January
28th.  Open Foil, Open epee, and Vet 40+ epee.  Andrew Fullmer is
already in the epee, so with a good number of people we should be able
to attract a second A.  If we get our Vets signed up that could turn
into a C or B event.  Start getting signed up now.
Have a happy New Year.  Don’t call me for bail money.

pax vobiscum

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

Port City Daild article

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Port City Daild article

The Cape Fear Fencing Association finishes the year in style | Port City Daily

Above is the link for an article I wrote up for the Port City daily on-line edition.  It is just a recap of the last year and a “state of the Club” piece.
pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for December 26

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 26
I am back and planning to come in Tuesday and Thursday nights if anyone wants to come in and practice or try out your new equipment.  I will also come in on Saturday morning about 10 am.  There doesn’t seem to be enough time to try to get the floor done, so we are putting that on hold.
RTF
is hosting foil and sabre events on the 31st of December to close out
the year.  The foil will be a B with more bodies and the sabre looks to
be a solid competition but may not reach the numbers for much of a rating.

After
the beginning of the New Year the club will start back up on
the 3rd.  The next homeschool class will start on the 4th.

The next beginner class at Camp Lejeune starts on January 6th.  We will have some new people moving up to the advanced group.

The
7th is the first NCFL meet of 2017, at Kestrel Heights.  We hope to add
a New Hanover men’s team at that event.  That also means that Will and
Harry will be looking for new B team members.  Talk to me if you are
interested.

Afterschool
will start back up on the 9th with a beginner class as well as
returners.  The next evening set of beginner classes will start on January 10th at 6:30 pm.

January 14th will be the next Homeschool meet, also in Elk Ridge.
No afterschool on January 16th as it is MLK Day.

January
21-22 is the Hangover Open in Richmond.  They have large opens, women’s
events, and D and under events.  The entry deadline through askfred is
January 8th.

I missed that there is an NCFL meet on January 2st.  It is the individual conference qualifiers to the individual championships. 
Therefore we cannot hold a youth event on the 21st.  I will look for possible dates in the next few days.

The
next home USA Fencing event will be the Old Man Winter on January
28th.  Open Foil, Open epee, and Vet 40+ epee.  Andrew Fullmer is
already in the epee, so with a good number of people we should be able
to attract a second A.  If we get our Vets signed up that could turn
into a C or B event.  Start getting signed up now.

pax vobiscum

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for December 18

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for December 18
The homeschool Fencing League started its season yesterday at Oak Ridge, NC.  Our fencers compete under the auspices of the Southeastern Cardinals as the homeschool map is split by areas, and sometimes sports within areas, instead of particular schools.  We were represented by Philip Nazzaro, Kyler Schoonmaker, and Zack Maroules.  The Homeschool League fences the relay system of team matches, like USA Fencing and the Olympics.  In that system every fencer has to make a contribution to the team.  It is harder for a couple of good fencers to win a match than it is in the NCFL style of team match.  The guys did very well, winning both of their matches.  They beat the Twin City Narwhals 45-40 and the Oak Ridge Mustangs 45-34.
This week on Tuesday  (12/20), we will shut a bit early and the adults
from the club will be heading out to Satellite.  The homeschool and
evening classes will finish for the year on Wednesday.  No afterschool this week.  No fencing Thursday night.

There
is talk of repainting the floor and sealing it over the break due to
the smaller chance of gully washing thunderstorms.  I will keep you
updated and let you know if and when volunteers are needed.

RTF
is hosting foil and sabre events on the 31st of December to close out
the year.  The foil will be a B with more bodies and the sabre looks to
be a solid competition but may not reach the numbers for much of a rating.
If people want to hold a Saturday morning New Years Eve practice, let me know.

After
the beginning of the New Year the club will start back up on
the 3rd.  The next homeschool class will start on the 4th.
The next beginner class at Camp Lejeune starts on January 6th.  We will have some new people moving up to advanced group.

The
7th is the first NCFL meet of 2017, at Kestrel Heights.  We hope to add
a New Hanover men’s team at that event.  That also means that Will and
Harry will be looking for new B team members.  Talk to me if you are
interested.

Afterschool
will start back up on the 9th with a beginner class as well as
returners.  The next evening set of beginner classes will start on January 10th at 6:30 pm.
January 14th will be the next Homeschool meet, also in Elk Ridge.
January 21-22 is the Hangover Open in Richmond.  They have large opens, women’s events, and D and under events.  The entry deadline through askfred is January 8th.
I am looking at having our first under 12 event of the year on the 21st.  Let me know how that works for people.  The last two would be in April and May.
The next home USA Fencing event will be the Old Man Winter on January 28th.  Open Foil, Open epee, and Vet 40+ epee.  Andrew Fullmer is already in the epee, so with a good number of people we should be able to attract a second A.  If we get our Vets signed up that could turn into a C or B event.  Start getting signed up now.

pax vobiscum

 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

CFFA update for DEcember 12

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
CFFA update for DEcember 12
We held the Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrhder tournament on Saturday.  A small, but good event with most of our higher rated fencers laying out.  In the foil, Ryan Miller of Salle New Bern was first, re-earning his E.  Mike Glapion of CFFA was 2nd, Carson Shivers of Hoggard and Kyler Schoonmaker of CFFA tied for 3rd.  In the epee, Mike and Ryan switched positions, with Max Kuttrus and Layeli Nahiri, both of Apex, tied for third.  Finally, in the sabre, Erik Graf won both the gold and E16.  Carson Shivers was 2nd, Reaghan Juelke of CFFA and Caledonia Pray of Hoggard tied for third.  Thanks to Brendan, Paul, and Herman for reffing.  A special thanks to Zemi Lawrence for running the event with the same software used at big national events. 
A little farther away from home, at the Fairfax Challenge ROC in Maryland, Oliver Galbraith took 6th in the Div. 1-A Men’s Foil and Samantha Milewski took 6th in the Div II Women’s Epee.
Things start winding down this week for the holidays.  Class on Wednesday, but no evening practice.  Afterschool will end Thursday until after the break.  Friday is the final Camp Lejeune practice for the year.
Saturday,
December 17th, is the first official homeschool meet at Oak Ridge.  It
starts at 1 pm and I will contact the homeschool team members with more information.

The 17th is also sanctioned unrated and U-19 sabre at Mid-South.  The next day has unsanctioned Y-12 and Y-14 events.
The next week on Tuesday  (12/20), we will shut a bit early and the adults from the club will be heading out to Satellite.  The homeschool and evening classes will finish for the year on Wednesday.
There is talk of repainting the floor and sealing it over the break due to the smaller chance of gully washing thunderstorms.  I will keep you updated and let you know if and when volunteers are needed.

RTF is hosting foil and sabre events on the 31st of December to close out the year.  The foil will be a B with more bodies and the sabre looks to be tough competition but may not reach the numbers for much of a rating.
After the beginning of the New Year the club will probably start back up on the 3rd.  The next homeschool class will start on the 4th.
The 7th is the first NCFL meet of 2017, at Kestrel Heights.  We hope to add a New Hanover men’s team at that event.  That also means that Will and Harry will be looking for B new team members.  Talk to me if you are interested.
Afterschool will start back up on the 9th with a beginner class as well as returners.  The next evening set of classes will start on January 10th

pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon

Saturday tournament

Gregory Spahr Coaches Communication
Saturday tournament
The event Saturday is shaping up to be another event where there will not be a lot of the “heavy hitters.”  This makes it a good event for lower level fencers to come and get some practice against people of about the same level, but with ratings and medals on the line.  Go ahead and get signed up.

pax vobiscum,
 
Greg Spahr
Head Coach
Cape Fear Fencing Association

“The race is not always to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but that’s the way to bet.” Damon Runyon