General Info, Fees, etc.

IWFC was founded in 2002 by a Smithfield family so their three young fencers could fence closer to home. The club quickly grew and in 2003 Vicki spotted a note about it in a local paper. She and her husband immediately joined the club and as both had experience in teaching fencing, both were soon assisting with, then later fully teaching new fencers. In 2005 the club was turned over to Vicki and has continued on the successful path initially laid out by the founders.  Vicki incorporated her coaching activity with the creation of Pointed Interests, LLC, in July 2009.  The club was given the option to either continue 'as is' or to become part of the newly-formed company and the votes were 100% in favor of merging.  September 2009 saw IWFC taking posession of its own floorspace, enabling an expanded offering of instruction and interaction with the surrounding community.

General info:  Our full schedule can be seen here.  Special classes, camps, and other fun things are announced as they're scheduled, as well as added to the schedule page. Private lessons, demonstrations, and special group events are also available. Contact Vicki for more information.

All three weapons and all levels of experience -- including none! -- are welcome.  We request that fencers be at least ten years old.  IWFC is a member club of the US Fencing Association.

Vicki Hanes is the coach of both IWFC and its extension, the Poquoson Fencing Club. She is a member of the US Fencing Coaches Association and of the US Fencing Association. She has been certified to teach both foil and saber by the USFA and has competitive experience in all three weapons.

  Photo by Ben Andrus

NOTE: When club sessions have to be cancelled, the membership is notified as soon as possible via email and an update is posted to the website's main page, Twitter, and Facebook pages (IWFC and PFC). However, it is not always possible to reach everyone due to individuals' access to email and the Internet during the day. Please use caution and common sense and keep in mind that weather is often very different just a few miles down the road.

Class and Practice Information:

Beginner class:

• Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, 6:00 to 7:00

• Ten sessions long (five weeks unless holidays or other cancellations occur)

• Minimum age is 10, no maximum age

• Class fee is $60, not including equipment

• Equipment can be purchased the first night of class starting at around $110.  A purchased set contains mask, jacket, glove, and foil (plus mandatory chest protection for female fencers).

• Alternatively, equipment can be rented for $30 per month, plus the purchase of a glove for $10.  The fencer takes possession of a mask, jacket, and if needed/desired, chest plate for the duration of the class.  (Foils are left at the club, not taken home.)  The mask and jacket are to be cleaned and returned at the end of the rental period but the glove is kept by the fencer.

• If the fencer already has equipment, it should be brought to the first class for approval.

• At the end of the class, the fencer will have the basic skills to be able to particpate in Level A practices

Intermediate class:

• Tuesday and Friday evenings, 7:30 to 8:30

• Eight sessions long (four weeks unless holidays or other cancellations occur)

• Minimum age is 10, no maximum age

• Class fee is $60 and includes the use of club weapons and related electrics as needed

• Although fencers are encouraged to have their own equipment, rental is available as above. Standard catalog pricing applies to those purchasing their own equipment at this time. 

• The fencer must have completed the beginner class or demonstrated comparable skill to the coach beforehand

• It is strongly recommended that the fencer attend club practices before taking the intermediate class so that the fencer is comfortable with the basics learned so far

• The class rotates between foil, epee, and saber so each weapon is offered once every three months. In addition to learning more advanced weapon-specific skills, tactics and strategy will also start coming more into play. (When and why, not just how.)

Dues and Fees Effective September 1, 2011:

Membership entitles fencers to participate in both IWFC and PFC practices and activities.

Membership dues - due at the beginning of the month:

• Monthly: $20 for one fencer, immediate family members are an additional $5 each

• Floor fees: First visit is free, $5 per night afterwards

Equipment rental: $30 per month, fencer takes possession of a mask and jacket

• Equipment rental fees are due every month the fencer has possession of the equipment, whether they've actually attended any practices or not

• Equipment must be returned in reasonable condition. If equipment is lost or is deemed unreturnable, the fencer is responsible for paying half of the replacement cost of new equipment. Equipment rental fees do not apply in any way towards ownership of the equipment.

Private lessons - due at the time of the lesson:

• $15 for 30 minutes, $25 for one hour

• Lessons can be scheduled at IWFC for any time between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, depending on coach availability. They can also be given during club practices depending on space and time constraints.

• Lessons are scheduled by contacting the coach.

Armory work - due when the equipment is turned in for work:

Note: Armory work performed at tournaments is free as I consider it part of supporting my fencers.

• Foil rewire:  $10/blade only, $12/complete foil

• Epee rewire:  $12/blade only, $15/complete epee

• Rewires include wire only, other parts are extra if needed

• Foil/epee troubleshoot and basic repair (including cleaning, excluding rewire):  $5  Parts are extra if needed. More complex repairs, such as rethreading, will be priced on an ad hoc basis.

• Body wire troubleshoot and repair: $5

• Cut tang down for pistol grip: $2.  Includes rethreading tang if needed.

• Stencil name on knickers or jacket:  $15

• Alter lamé (take in the sides):  $10

• Paint mask:  $35 for a solid color, $50 and up for designs

Purchasing new equipment:

• Orders are generally done on the first Wednesday of the month

• The vendor is Absolute Fencing although we may also order from Fencing.net from time to time if the need/interest is there

• Your cost is the catalog price of the items you're ordering, no shipping or handling

• Payment is due at the time you place the order (either turn in payment at the club or pay online)

• Equipment should be picked up within one month of being ordered. Equipment that is not picked up may be charged a $5 per month storage fee, due upon claiming the equipment.