All returning students must be signed up by August 1st. If you are a returning student and you do not sign up by August 1st, you will be placed on the waiting list. (This is Mt. Pleasant Recreation’s rule).  If you sign up after August 1, this creates two problems: 1. there may not be a spot for you. 2. we will end up with beginners in our advanced classes.

Also, if you show up before August 1 and are told that the classes are full, this is okay. Just make sure that you are placed on the wait list. Any returning student who signs up before August 1 is guaranteed a spot. [Coach Thad has set the class limits low in order to control the number of new students in his Mt. Pleasant program]. Our program has grown so much that he is trying to limit new students to the Saturday classes via the City of Charleston program in order to be able to provide better instruction for my intermediate and advanced students. If you are a new student or returning student and have questions, please call Coach Thad at 216-3345 or 697-1528. Since Coach Thad Schmenk will be out of town from time to time, it is probably best to email him at thadsensei@hotmail.com.

Well, our fencing season has come to a close (well almost, see below) Thanks for the great year! I have enjoyed fencing with everyone. I am pround of what our club has accomplished this year: Our club grew, numerous parents have joined in, we celebrated Mr. Ed’s accomplishments as the oldest fencer in the USA, and we put on two successful USFA sanctioned tournaments. Quite the year! You should all be very proud of yourselves.

To end the year off well, we will host a small invitational foil competition with a columbia fencing club on May 30th. We will have a Y10 and Y14 event at 10:00 and a Y12 and Y17 event at 1:00. After, we will grill out by out at the pierce park pool (with a short walk of the gym on daniel island). I hope that all can join in. Please call and let me know if you are going to attend. 216-3345. I am looking forward to our next season which will start after labor day. Please make sure to register by August 1st.

Coach Thad

We caught some of the action from the Pirate Olympics on film. Click here to see the photos of you, your friends and your competitors.

Arrrrrgggh!

Photo credits:  Kate Fairchild, Emily Fairchild, Reggie Fairchild, and Mathew Beech.

At the end of the Open Epee tournament, the top 2 fencers heartily congratulated each other.  There’s nothing like competing with someone you respect.  Check out this photo.

David Hueske and Justin Mann appreciate the moment and the competition

This would have been a point in Epee, but in Foil it doesn't count because the tip is off target (off the silver lame)

Thad Schmenk and Justin Mann hosted a great tournament today.  There were 5 different ways to compete.  First, the under 10 foilers went toe to toe.  Then the under 12 foilers.  Next up was the sanctioned Open Epee tournament.  Justin Mann took the title in a very close 15-14 bout with David Hueske.  Tieing for 3rd were Thad Schmenk and Patrick _______.

There was a one touch tournament.  If you got a point scored against you, even in a double touch, you were gone.  Mr. Eljin won and received a warm round of applause from the crowd.  Finally, there was a 3-person round-robin team competition.  The first team to 45 points wins.  The teams routed heartily for their fellow pirates.

Here’s a photo from the U10 action.  More photos coming soon.

Reminder: the Priate Olympics starts bright and early this morning.  Click here for all the details.

A quick reminder, there will be NO FENCING

• Saturday, April 4
• Tuesday, April 7
• Saturday, April 11

Fencing will resume on Tuesday, Arpil 14 and Saturady, April 18 at the usual times and places.

The Pirate Olympics – 04/25/2009

Preregistration opens on 03/16/2009 on Askfred.net
Preregistration closes on 04/24/2009.

Events Scheduled:
Y10 and Y12 (non-sanctioned)Mixed Foil 8:00
Mixed (USFA Sanctioned) Epee 9:30
Mixed (non-sanctioned) one-touch Epee 11:30
Mixed (non-sanctioned) Team Relay Epee 1:00
Mixed penmanship contest for Epee 1:00

The youth foil event is $12
The mixed Epee at is $15.

The “pirate events” [the one-touch and Team Relay] are a package deal for $10.
The pirate penmanship contest is either a $5 donation to our local SPCA or a gift of 5 or more can goods to our local food bank. [of course, you are always welcome to donate more!]

Additional Information:

The Y10 and Y12 (non-sanctioned) Mixed Foil at 8:00 will run as follows: The Y10 and Y12 will run separately if there are more than 6 fencers for each age group; otherwise, the Y10 and Y12 will be combined. (in other words, if there are 11 kids total, there will be one event. If there is not 6 or more of both age groupa, the two groups will be combined) One round of pools will be fenced with only the top four fencers participating in direct elimination bouts.

The mixed epee at 9:30 will be a normal USFA sanctioned event. 100% will be promoted to the direct eliminations. You must be an active USFA member to participate in this event. Your mask must withstand the normal punch test and proper attire must be worn (plastrong, knickers, socks, etc).

The one-touch epee contest will run as follows: Fencers will be seeded at random; we will simply draw names from the treasure chest. Each participate will square off with his/her named competitor in a direct elimination bout. First one to 1 point wins! In the case of a double touch, both are eliminated.

The mixed team relay will run as follows: Fencers will create teams of three (bring a team or join one the day of). The finals and semin-finals will run to 45 points. All previous rounds will be played out to 30 points. Oh, there will be a special “pirate” aspect to this relay. Just a warrrrning.

The penmanship contest will be explain on-site.

Pirate outfits and jokes welcome. And please try to prrronounce yourrrr r’s corrrrectly!

After the games, come and join us at Queen Anne’s Revenge for a beverage or two. It is located right on the island. If you are looking for a place to stay, there is a Hampton in located on the island.

This event will take place on Daniel Island, at the K-8 School. See directions above on under the map and directions tab.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Thad Schmenk at thadsensei@hotmail.com

ECF and City of Charleston Team Members at Charlestonian Fencing Tournament

Charlestionian Fencing Tournament Champions

Ed Holcomb - America's Oldest Active USFA Fencer

Jack McKee Champion of the Charlestonian Fencing Tournament

Champion Jack McKee

Coach Thad Schmenk and Runner Up Nick Sottile

Photos courtesy of Erin McKee

According to the United States Fencing Association (“USFA”), Ed Holcomb is officially the oldest active USFA member in the COUNTRY! Mr. Holcomb, age 89, fenced at the Charlestonian Fencing Tournament on Saturday on Daniel Island.

Mr. Holcomb was a college fencer for Cornell University. Is an assistant coach for East of the Cooper Fencing. He participates in practice every Tuesday evening. He has been assisting coach Thad Schmenk for about 4 years.