Classes
Instruction - Basic Information
The Galveston Fencing Club provides beginners lessons in foil and epee (to a lesser degree in sabre). Weapons, jackets, masks and gloves are available for loan to students during the session. We meet Monday evenings in the gym at Moody Methodist Church (53rd Street & Avenue U). Parking is on the north side near the gym. MAP.
Classes begin 7:00 PM. Stretching is strongly encouraged. Due to time constraints, class time proper cannot be devoted to stretching. However, some easy, low-stress exercises are available on the Stretching page of this website. Students are encouraged to arrive a bit early and stretch while the room is being set up for class.
Most evenings begin with 15 minutes of basic footwork, applicable to both foil and epee. Since footwork is critical to successful fencing and may be practiced with no equipment requirements, we have video clips of basic footwork on the Footwork page. Students seeking to improve their performance are encouraged to practice in their spare time using this resource.
Footwork is followed by a specific, 30-minute, foil lesson. Foil is followed by a specific, 30-minute epee lesson. Those not taking the classes are free to fence.
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September Class Schedule
All classes are held on Monday evenings, at 7 PM, at Moody Memorial United Methodist Church.
September 1 - CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY
September 8
FOOTWORK - passe avance, passe avance lunge
FOIL - Simple attacks with coupe
EPEE - Attack on the opening line
September 15
FOOTWORK - lunge with forward/center recoveries
FOIL - Simple attacks with coule'/glissade
EPEE - the fleche attack in epee, defenses and rules
September 22
No classwork - Just for Fun Day
Intra-Salle One-Touch Epee Tournament
Honoring the Birthday (Sept 23rd) of Baroness Emma Orczy - author of The Scarlet Pimpernel
September 29
FOOTWORK - Jump forward, Jump back, ballestra
FOIL - Beat & change beat attacks
EPEE - leg/foot attacks; counter-attacks with esquive against leg/foot attacks
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Two fencers practice at Wright-Cuney Community Center. (Photo courtesy of Gordon Haire: Grayhaire Imagery)
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Kathy Machol guiding a student during practice at the Wright-Cuney Community Center
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Sabre and epee practice at Galveston College
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Galveston fencers drill at Sacred Heart Cathedral
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Coach Michael Mergens at our first practice venue, Sacred Heart Cathedral.
