(no subject)

[anotheranon]

Having given it much thought, I have decided not to renew my SCA membership for this year. I may still go to the occasional event (universities can have some very interesting classes), but I can pay non-membership fees more easily than a yearly membership. If they just had more indoor events...

This does mean I'll need to look for more opportunities/places to "play dress up", but I'm fairly resourceful, I'll come up with something.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

I made the same decision last year, and didn't renew my associate membership. In my case the only reason I got it in the first place was so that I could fence at events, and then my barrony's fencing practices got all bollixed up. You're right that unless you go to a lot of events and/or want to be in the peerage, it's pretty pointless to pay the membership dues.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

In my case the only reason I got it in the first place was so that I could fence at events

Did you do period rapier? That was one of the few reasons I was holding on to mine, just in case. Then I realized that 1) I'd never have the time 2) locally it's mostly heavy fighting here, and 3) it would probably mess up my foil game.

What's it like to fence in period (rapier, or - ?)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was fencing light weapons, both musketeer (double-wide epee) and schlaeger blades.

It's significantly different from collegiate foil or epee. The blades are heavier and stiffer, and the tempo is slower. Also, with the vast amount of cloth that the SCA requires you to wear as protection it gets very hot.

Fencing in the round is an interesting experience. You have to unlearn things you learned on a strip. Also, learning to keep your off-hand forward to use in slapping the oncoming blade aside is a new experience. It makes a lot of sense once you get used to it though. Likewise with using a dagger or your cloak in the off-hand.

I don't recall where you live right now, but I can probably put you in touch with someone who could hook you up with rapier fighters somewhere near you. They may or may not be in the SCA, but the guy I know who's big in the field used to be the rapier marshall for the entire Society.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

The gear is even hotter than collegiate? Wow, yet an even better way to lose pounds and inches through plain sweat :P I am guessing that you did Olympic fencing in college? Do you still?

I would be interested in period rapier if you know of a source - I'm in the metro DC area.

Thanks in advance.

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I fenced with the North Texas club. It wasn't what you'd call premier collegiate fencing, but it was something. We did have one woman who managed to work her way into national competition for a couple of years running.

I'm in Maryland myself. Are you in the barrony of Storvik? They're good people, from what I've seen, but I know they don't have many rapier fencers. Lochmere (central MD) used to have a big fencing program but lost the practice area.

Anyhow, I'll get off my duff and ask dedoc for a recommendation. He's the one who got me into SCA fencing in the first place. He'd Giovanni diFiamma in the Society.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I am technically in Roxbury Mill, though Storvik is nearby and is larger/more active. Even then (last year), they did not have a regular rapier marshall and relied on a monthly visit from someone in Bright Hills.

If you can recommend someone I'd be interested, or if you know of an SCA site where you can look up by SCA names I can do it myself. I am not really looking to compete, just learn.

Thanks!

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Hi again. I have not forgotten you. I wrote to dedoc but have not yet heard back from him. I imagine he's having another busy week of emergency surgery. But when I do hear from him I'll be sure to let you know.