The
main goal of The Cutting Edge is to bring fencing to youth via
during-school and after-school programs.
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"Time reveals truth. And since
distance creates time, it is only with this that you can ever know the
truth."
"Winning isn't a some time
thing--it's an all time thing."
-- Vince Lombardi
"Those who fear to try know not
their limits, and thus--know not themselves."
"Parry as late as you dare."
-- Bruce Lee
"No different! Same! Only
different in your mind!"
-- "Jedi
Master Yoda"
"If you are afraid to be
struck, you will be struck. If you are afraid to hit, you will be
hit. If you wait to 'see' the moment to attack, you will be
attacked. You must feel when the door is open, and no more."
--Master R. Chu
"When the moment comes--'I' do
not hit. It hits all by itself."
-- Bruce Lee
"Do. Or do not. There is no
'try'..."
-- "Jedi Master Yoda"
"The highest art is no art. The best
form is no form."
-- Bruce Lee
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The
main goal of The Cutting Edge is
to bring the sport of
fencing to bay area youth utilizing during and after school programs
(and parks & recreational programs) to
educate
young minds in a sport that is cerebral and pedagogical, yet very
athletic and lightning quick! A school program
can offer education for students two-fold: athletics and fitness
combined with written and verbal understanding. Some additional
benefits of fencing are below: |
Fencing
shares the same basic foundations
of any martial art (or even
dance and music for that matter!). Some examples of these:
measure, tempo change, timing, velocity, and proper execution and
simplification of
technique. Therefore, students can (if properly educated)
associate the learning from one subject or skill set to
another--linking the common ground in order to help hasten the
learning, and broaden their life perspective.
Also of great import, fencing has much to offer in life lessons:
thinking on your feet, dealing with a problem right there in the
moment, thinking tactically to surmount that obstacle (which is usually
presented in the form of another fencer). Then again, the astute
fencer will often learn that they are
their own obstacle at times (i.e. improper technique, timing,
tenseness, 'robotic' reactions, etc.)! A key realization in
preparing a
future adult. And of course--fencing requires one to be
responsible for his or her own actions, as no one can score a point in
fencing... except the fencer! No amount of coaching--no matter
how well done--can score a touch for a fencer. They must
accomplish this on their own. This concept is paramount to the
success of a young person blossoming into a stellar adult in my humble
opinion, and I sincerely work to make this a part of my teaching
wherever
possible in all of my programs, and at whatever fencing level. |
Two sabre students
discuss the intricate details of politics, our health care system...
and...
SABRE FENCING!!
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An introductory
sabre student graciously pauses to pose for a portrait...
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Finally, should
all of the above fall to the wayside--fencing is
always FUN! Fantastic in bridging gaps between sexes, sizes,
ethnicity and personality (as I have seen both girls and boys defeat an
opponent--with technique and timing--when confronted with brawn and
bludgeoning!), fencing is every school's solution to balancing a
student's mind, body and spirit in order to temper--a successful adult!
If you
are a school associate, school parent, or school employee, and you
wish to look into scheduling a 100%
FREE demo of how fencing works (where
students suit up, try out a "crash" course in fencing, learn a little
fencing history, have fun), send TCE an
e-mail with your school contact information, or give us a call!
Our contact information is here. The
Cutting Edge is 100% certified and insured for liability through the
United States Fencing Association Coaches Program.
Hey... want to fence?
... ... ...
Who...? ME?!!
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En guarde.
Are you ready?
FENCE!
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Challenger
Schools (Bay Area, CA) are located in many areas around the CA bay
area, such as San Jose, Los Gatos, Saratoga, and Palo Alto. The
Cutting Edge is already in its second session at the Palo Alto campus,
with the possibility of working with future Challenger locations.
Challenger is well-known for its commitment to scholastic excellence,
and so TCE is working on broadening its athletic excellence! I'm
proud to say this program is strong and alive with adventurous and
intelligent students! BRAVO.
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Girls
Middle School (Mtn. View, CA) is an all-girls private school chock full
of passionate teachers, parents and volunteers who just don't know the
meaning of the word "quit" when it has to do with young people's
futures. A seven-point salute to GMS, as they explore their 2nd
season on the piste, and ready themselves before the "allez!"
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Waldorf School
on The
Peninsula
(Los Altos)
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The
Waldorf School of the Peninsula is one of more than 900 Waldorf schools
worldwide that shares the educational methods of Rudolf Steiner (see
website). Waldorf joins with The Cutting Edge with an after
school program that is sure to enrich its students with encountering
material, concept crystallization, and perception, feeling, and
idea! Are you ready? FENCE!
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Keys
School is one of the newer additions to The Cutting Edge sabre
programs, and is located in Palo Alto, CA, very close to the Challenger
Palo Alto campus. Students and parents alike have shown great
enthusiasm and enjoyment of fencing being a new part of the after
school curriculum!
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Gavilan Hills Academy
2080 Pacheco Rd.
Gilroy, CA
408-842-7455
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Gavilan
Hills Academy (Gilroy, CA) is the newest member of the Cutting Edge
fencing programs, and will begin in September of 2003. The
students enjoyed the free demonstration thoroughly, and are looking
forward to duke-ing it out behind the mask and sabre. En garde,
Gavilan! Well done.
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Seacrest Gym and
El Granada Center in
Half Moon Bay, CA
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Seacrest
School (Half Moon Bay, CA) welcomes The Cutting Edge in combination
with Coastside
Fencing Academy, created by Provost Anthony Joslin. Anthony
and Matthew continue to teach beginners of nearly all ages, and have
also created an
intermediate & competitive electrical fencing group, complete with
boxes and
reels--all brand new gear! Students of these programs participate
twice a week.
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YOUR SCHOOL HERE??
YOUR ORGANIZATION HERE??
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With
dwindling funding for education in California... with statistics
showing that California students--are among the most overweight and in
many places, the least athletic in the nation...
When is the time for our youth and their educations?
Their athleticism and care for their bodies?
Their futures?
That time is now.
Read
this important announcement about our youth!!
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Additional
links or points of interest:
United States Fencing Association
(USFA)
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Learn about the basics of
fencing, find fencing clubs all over the United States, find
information about worldwide tournaments.
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| Coastside Academy of
Fencing |
Provost Anthony Joslin's
introductory and intermediate sabre fencing classes are located in
beautiful Half Moon Bay, CA. |
Sonoma Fencing Academy
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A three-weapon fencing
academy located in beautiful Petaluma, CA which offers instruction,
electrical fencing, and private lessons in all three weapons.
Special thanks to Kendall-Jackson winery
for their continued support.
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Vector Theater Conservatory
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Vector Theater promotes
youth and adults to excel in the arts and grow their skills in acting,
music, singing, stage combat, and fencing.
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Blade Fencing Supply
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A well-known vendor of
fencing gear. Located in New York.
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Esun Fencing Supply
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A fencing equipment vendor
located abroad.
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Fencing.net
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A collaborative site which
includes drills, information and other interesting details regarding
many aspects of fencing. |
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