Salle Kwajalein

There have been several inquiries by new folks on the island, asking if Salle Kwajalein is active. It can be, if people want to step up. Remember, the first coach was a 12-year-old girl who just had a passion to make this happen. If you have an interest, speak up! It's an amazingly fun and satisfying sport, plus a good workout. Some of our original fencers are still on island. Maybe you can start the new year with reactivating Salle Kwaj!

Because families PCS, Salle Kwaj has changing needs,too! We're hoping Santa can bring us some new faces, new folks in leadership roles, and new opportunities to share the art and joy of fencing!
Please come to a re-organizational meeting THIS FRIDAY (12/16) at 1800 at the Big Pavilion on Emon Beach.
If you can't attend for some reason but are interested in this, you can call Will or Paulette and let them know (5-3808).

Fall 2015 lessons

There will be a club meeting (for fencers and parents) after practice Thursday evening: 6:30-7pm in the CRC Room 1.
We'll plan for summer and more. Hope to see you!

Good fencing this week, Kwaj Kids!

Reminder: We're fencing at the CRC Tuesday at 5:30PM.

Wishing Happy Easter Holidays to everyone!

No fencing this evening, as the CRC is reserved for another group this evening. Yes, we discussed fencing outdoors for this evening, but rain and thunderstorms are forecast, and we just laundered all the gear...

Another fun practice on a rainy evening on the Rock!

It was a fun and productive evening at Salle Kwaj!

A BIG WELCOME TO A NEW RESIDENT HERE ON KWAJALEIN!
GARY LIDE HAS AGREED TO COACH OUR FENCERS!

We're thrilled to welcome Gary Lide and his wife Libbie!
We met the Lides at the Salle Kwajalein tournament in February, when he introduced himself and expressed his interest in the club. Happily, Gary agreed to step in and coach the club while Gillian was off-island recently. Gary has now agreed to coach regularly twice a week, affording our fencers great opportunities!

Gary Lide started fencing in 1977. He attended college at Northwestern University where he was a member of the varsity fencing team. He placed in the Big 10 Fencing Championships in 1979 qualifying for the NCAA nationals where he achieved a top 40 finish in men’s epee. He qualified again for the NCAA national tournament in 1980 and achieved a top 30 finish. Gary also qualified for the AFLA (now USFA) national championships in 1979. Shoulder injuries impacted Gary’s fencing career so he switched to teaching and taught fencing at the Nashville Fencing Club in Nashville, TN from 1982 to 1986 before being offered the position of coach for the Vanderbilt University Fencing Club which he held from 1986 to 1991. As coach of the club, he fielded a club team which competed against varsity men’s teams throughout the eastern United States. After leaving Vanderbilt, Gary taught fencing sporadically until the international nature of his primary career made it impossible. During his fencing career, Gary has won local tournaments in all three weapons (foil, epee, and sabre) and has placed in regional tournaments in foil and epee.

What a great addition for us! Please welcome the Lides, and let them know how much their experience and talents are appreciated here!