Red Door Fencing, located in Des Moines’ historic East Village, is an epee club that promotes competitive and recreational fencing by providing quality instruction, a safe and supportive training environment, and fostering personal growth and community engagement. We are an affiliate member of USA Fencing, the national governing body for the sport in the U.S.
Summer’s End Open Results
Last Sunday, Sarah and Lily traveled to Iowa City for a small epee event. Sarah finished 1st and got some tournament practice before the next ROC, and Lily placed 5th in her first “open” event (for fencers ages 13 and up). Full results available here: https://askfred.net/Results/results.php?tournament_id=38119
September 2017 Beginner Fencing Class Registration
Registration is open for our next Beginner Youth Fencing class! The 6-week class meets Tuesday evenings Sept. 5-Oct. 10 from 5:30-6:30 pm. Have fun, make friends, learn a new sport!
Cost is $60. All equipment is provided. Students should wear comfortable athletic clothes, specifically pants that allow full range of motion (no shorts!) and close-toed shoes.
(9-5-17 – registration closed)
2017 Summer Camp & Coaching Workshop
We had a great time hosting our first summer day camp for fencers ages 8-14 (who have some fencing experience), led by Guest Coach Gary Copeland from Northern Colorado Fencers. It was great to see everyone working so hard and improving their skills!
Following the kids’ camp, Gary led a small 2-day coaching workshop focused on individual lessons. In addition to RDF coaches Kevin and Sarah, we had two coaches join us from the Lincoln Fencing Club. We really appreciate Gary’s instruction and feedback and we’re looking forward to helping our students be more successful!
2017 Iowa Games Results
Last Saturday, three RDF fencers braved the heat and humidity to fence at Iowa Games in Ames. Nick finished 9th, Carl was 12th, and Daniel was 19th.
Carl at Iowa Games
Nick and Daniel pose with an old iteration of the Iowa State University mascot after fencing at the Iowa Games in Ames.
Summer National Championship Results
Three RDF athletes traveled to Salt Lake City for Summer National Championships. On Thursday, Julia and Sarah fenced Division 2 Women’s Epee. After a bit of a rough start in pools, Julia fenced very well in direct eliminations and finished 31st – her best national finish so far – and Sarah went out in her first DE (15-point bout) and was 88th. Julia fenced again the next day in Div 3, ending 68th. On Saturday, Lily competed in her first national event (and 3rd tournament ever): Y14 Women’s Epee. She worked hard and got touches on everyone in her pool and came in 148th. In Y12 on Monday, Lily won two pool (5-point) bouts, but lost her first DE, placing 70th.
Full results available here: http://www.usfencing.org/2017champ-julychal
Almost Summer Open/Y12 Results
RDF sent four fencers to Minneapolis for the Almost Sauna Summer Open (it was very hot and humid!) for one last tournament before Summer Nationals. Sarah and Julia finished 7th and 8th in the Open epee event. Lily and Kaden finished 5th and 6th in Y12. Full results available here: https://askfred.net/Results/results.php?tournament_id=34030#134197
Kaden attempts to hit his opponent on the arm in Y12 Epee.
Lily counterattacks in Y12 Epee.
Sarah makes a hit in Open epee.
Julia scores a low-line touch in Open epee.
Titanium Man Results
RDF fencer Jim took home the Titanium Man trophy after a long day of fencing at the Iowa City Fencing Center last Sunday. Julia came in 6th, Austin (who usually fences at U of I but is in Des Moines this summer) ended 7th, and Charlie finished 10th. The Titanium Man tournament uses a slightly different format than most tournaments we go to; it’s round-robin 15-point bouts. Seventeen people makes it an endurance test, but it’s also great practice for direct elimination bouts. Congratulations to all the survivors!
Summer 2017 Beginner Fencing Class Registration
Registration is open for our next Beginner Youth Fencing class and Beginner Teen/Adult Fencing class. The kids’ class meets Tuesday evenings 5:30-6:30, June 6-July 18 and the older folks meet Wednesday evenings 6:30-7:30. (Remember, no class the week of Independence Day!) Have fun, make friends, learn a new sport!
Cost is $60. All equipment is provided. Students should wear comfortable athletic clothes, specifically pants that allow full range of motion (no shorts!) and close-toed shoes.
Beginner Youth Fencing:
Beginner Teen/Adult Fencing:
Registration for the Teen/Adult class is full/closed as of 5/28/17. We will have more beginner classes in September! Thank you for your interest!
Minnesota Open Tournament Results
We had two fencers compete at the Minnesota Open last weekend. Jim took home the 5th place medal and Sarah finished 13th in Mixed Epee.
Hawkeye Open Tournament Results
Last weekend, Julia and Charlie fenced the Hawkeye Open in Iowa City. Julia ended in 6th place, and Charlie was 8th. Full results: https://askfred.net/Results/results.php?tournament_id=35865.
