Club Info
About fencing
Fencing is a unique athletic form that maintains mental and physical health and fitness. It helps develop control, balance, speed and grace; many aspects of fencing carry over directly to real life situations.
Dedicated to the promotion of the modern sport of fencing, the Eugene Fencer's Club (EFC) - a non-profit educational organization and Lane County's oldest fencing program - has taught the art of the "oldest modern sport" under the supervision of qualified instructors to thousands of students since 1976.
At EFC, recreational fencers will find an enjoyable, low-pressure sport, while the athlete will improve fencing skills for competition (see Results.) Instruction at EFC is a program based on the current American training system and is tailored to the level and conditioning of each student. The USFA recognized EFC as a member in 1984.
Club director information
Paul McNamara is the founder, President and Head Coach of the Eugene Fencers Club, which has promoted the modern sport of fencing since 1976. Over the years, Paul coached thousands of students in all three weapons. Paul organized and ran large tournaments, trained directors, and facilitated several programs to advance the sport of fencing.
Several of Paul's students became Fencing Masters who went on to teach in their own salles. Paul began fencing in 1976, taking lessons and classes from Paul Dart who was teaching at the University of Oregon (UO). After six months, Mr. Dart asked Paul to become his assistant. Paul taught beginning and advanced classes three times a week from 1977-1978.
In December 1976, Paul started the Eugene Fencers Club (EFC) through the Eugene Parks and Recreation Department of the City of Eugene. He later added classes for local middle and high school students, as well as students in the Willamalane Park (Springfield) and Bethel School districts. In the summer of 1978, the Vice President of the U.S. Fencing Association invited Paul to attend the National Training Camps at the Olympic Training Center in Squaw Valley. Paul attended the camps from 1978 through 1982. In 1983, Paul attended the summer training camp at the Lake Placid National Olympic Training Center, where he received training from several Olympians and World Champions.
From 1978 to 1982, Paul received lessons from Yves Auriole and Alex Beguinet, who taught him the basis of his fencing style. More recently, Paul has attended National Training Camps at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and Oregon Fencing Alliance's Sabre Camp taught by Ed Korfanty in Portland, Oregon. From 1984 to 1989, Paul was the coach for the UO Fencers Club. Under Paul's tutelage, UO fencing teams took the Northwest Collegiate championships four years in a row. Paul's students have received scholarships at such schools as Princeton, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Northwestern University, with several students becoming "All-American", placing in the top-six in the nation.
Classes
Beginning Foil
EFC welcomes men and women of all ages. Due to high interest in the class, and a limited number of openings, attendance at first class is very highly encouraged.
Basic fencing covers the fundamentals and rules of foil fencing. Instruction includes stretching, balance, agility, focusing, spatial perception, strategy and fencing history. The transition from normal to fencing motor skills will be emphasized.
Continuing Foil, Epee, and Saber
Intermediate and Advanced Instruction classes are held in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. Includes up to five hours a week of structured and fun group activities under the supervision of qualified instructors.
This class focuses on advanced techniques, timing, strategy, and the psychology of competitive fencing. Electric fencing is introduced at this level. The class is taught in group lessons with foil as the emphasis, and individual lessons for foil, epee, and saber.
Practice equipment
Members and visitors to Eugene Fencer's Club do not need to have their own equipment to start fencing at EFC. The EFC provides all necessary practice equipment for use while at the club. If you want to order your own equipment, please talk to the EFC director. This will ensure ordering the proper equipment and sizes meeting your needs. EFC will charge a modest rental fee for electric equipment borrowed for tournaments.