General Info, Classes, Fees, etc.

IWFC was founded in 2002 by the Ross 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 Rosses.  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.

Club Sessions:  The Isle of Wight Fencing Club is at 21401-B Brewers Neck Blvd., Carrollton, VA, and our  phone is 757.238.3111. Open practices for all three weapons are Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 and epee- and saber-only practices are on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00. 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. 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 inland is often very different than it is just a few miles closer to the water.

General Class Information:

Beginners 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 for $110 (male)/$130 (female - includes mandatory chest protection). A purchased set contains mask, jacket, glove, and practice foil.

• Alternatively, equipment can be rented for $30 per month, plus the purchase of a glove for $10.  The fencer takes possession of a mask and jacket for the duration of the class. (Practice foil and chest protection 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 club bouting

Intermediate class:

• Tuesday and Friday evenings, 7:00 to 8:00

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

• Minimum age is 10, no maximum age

• Class fee is $60 and includes IWFC dues for the duration of the class

• Although fencers are encouraged to have their own equipment, rental is available for $30 per month. Stanard 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

Youth and/or other weapons:

• These classes will be scheduled as a better feel for the demand is established. If you're interested, please contact Vicki and let her know which class(es) you'd like to see offered.

Dues and Fees Effective May 1, 2010:

Membership in IWFC includes membership in the Poquoson Fencing Club and entitles IWFC members to participate in PFC practices as well as vice versa.  (Fencers may attend either IWFC's open practices or Level A practices, not both.)

Membership dues - due at the beginning of the month:

• Full Time Membership: $15 per month ($180 per year split out over monthly payments). Like a gym membership, the $15 is due whether you actually attend club that month or not.  

• Pay As You Go Membership: $20 per month, paid only for months in which you attend club.

• Additional family members: $5 per month for either membership type. (Immediate family members only, please.)

• Epee/Saber Night: $5 per fencer per month (no family discount)

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

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

Private lessons - due at the time of the lesson:

• $15 for 30 minutes

• Private lessons can be scheduled in advance 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/epee rewire:  $10/blade only, $12/complete foil, $15/complete epee.  Includes 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 a tip, 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 Monday of the month

• 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.

• Although most orders are currently done through Absolute, if you want to order something from a different vendor, check with the coach first. If we can make a discount arrangement with them, we'll be happy to order it for you so you don't have to pay shipping and handling.