En Garde FoamWorks

Happy Holidays everyone ❤

BLACK FRIDAY SALE!!!!! This is a limited offer valid 11/29/2019 until 1/10/2020

For the holidays, we would like to offer our LED Soft Saber blades with patented Flex Core to our TSL family at an incredible discount.
We only have one limitation.....There are only 2 colors available for the special.....RED and GREEN.

How much are they?.......$35 each/ while supplies last.

Just contact me through the Facebook inbox and we can start processing orders until supplies run out.

Happy Holidays to all our friends,
En Garde Foamworks

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Foam weapon training at Olsen Family Kenpo.

Foam weapon fun.

https://www.facebook.com/247895578656748/posts/2485197881593162/

Family night out is in full swing! We are booked tonight so be sure to get your spot for December 14th! #familynightout #fun #swords #nerf #date night #familyfriendly

Why do I think Fencing/Martial Arts Historical European Martial arts is so important for children?

Fencing/Martial arts/HEMA are a great mind and body workout and are often referred to as "physical chess." Here are what I think are the main benefits:
1. Fencing/Martial Arts/HEMA are an individual sport, so it is ideal for kids who prefer to be in control of their own success or failure.
2. Fencing/Martial Arts/HEMA require a great deal of mental focus without realizing it. In order to be successful, you need to plan your next move and watch your opponent's moves. Because practitioners are engaged in a physical activity that they enjoy, they don’t realize the amount of mental effort they are exerting. Fencing can be an extremely useful tool in training a child's ability to focus and this new-found ability can carry over into academics and other areas of the child’s life.
3. Fencers/Martial Arts/HEMA develop good hand-eye coordination, balance, and quick reflexes.
4. Fencing/Martial Arts/HEMA are a great activities for all kinds of kids, even those who may have difficulty with other organized sports. Because this sport is so unique, children are required to learn how to control their body in a way different than they ever have before. In some ways it is similar to ballet, gymnastics, or figure skating, and kids who have enjoyed these activities have transitioned well into Fencing/Martial Arts/HEMA . (With fencing, though, you get a weapon!) The real advantage, however, is how this newness forces the child to have to pay attention and focus in class. This, along with the individual aspect of the sport, can be quite beneficial for children with learning disabilities or ADHD. I have seen students who have these challenges be quite successful in this activity. Every kid starts from scratch, and it isn’t always obvious what makes a practitioner good.
5. Many fencers go on to complete even after high school and include fencing as a unique extra-curricular activity when they apply to college. There are many collegiate fencing programs, and while not everyone will make it to the NCAA level, many universities have club programs which allow fencers to continue this healthy, stress-relieving activity into adulthood. Top fencers can be awarded generous scholarships. For example, scholarships to Stanford University.
6. Finally, Fencing/Martial Arts/HEMA teaches many important life lessons. In this day and age, I find that a lot of children have come to believe that everyone must be a winner all the time. Consequently, they have a hard time learning how to learn from a loss. Realizing that making mistakes is part of learning. I think fencing provides that opportunity in a safe environment so a discussion can be had and they can learn how to react appropriately and go on to set attainable goals.

Hey En Garde Foamworks, Why make foam weapons and Why train with foam weapons at all?

This is a great question. I have been instructing martial arts and weapon systems to children for 27 years and a student for 42 years. Speaking for myself, I want to start teaching children formally at 7 years of age. There are some real world difficulties that arise and need solving to perform this objective.

Liability insurance for myself or establishment does not have a problem with foam, but wood, synthetics and metal are not viable choices. I couldn't agree more, Children want to engage something the second an “instrument” is placed in their hand, so it had better be safe.
Foam weapons are not made to feel like a weapon. This has been one of the biggest struggles for me as an instructor. At En Garde Foamworks, our weapons resemble the weight, specs, dimensions and balance of the weapon we are simulating. We even take into consideration the Height and measurements of the user for custom items. We are constantly trying to be better. We get excellent feedback from our clients and we listen. Everything I have ever bought or made out of cheap materials, felt like a baseball bat or a Wiffle ball bat. Weights are all wrong, ratios are all wrong and they don't last more than a few hours of real life use.
Future of the sport and our livelihood. Let's be honest, if your make a living as an instructor and or gym owner or both, if you don't have clients, that is it. I want to get children started early so that not only do they get the maximum life benefits but they are hooked for life. I was hooked as a child and training has served me all my life. I see a lot of clubs with members that are 18 to 22 and then 45 to 55 with nothing in the middle or beginning.
Gear is expensive. I only want to use my tournament gear during the tournament. No, practicing in your kit does not make you a better fighter. If you can't do it in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt…..you can't do it. I could replace a broken $700 sword or a $35 to $65 foam weapon. In our club we have Steel, wood, synthetic and foam. Approximately 30% or our foam weapons get replaced/repaired once every year. They are used by all age groups for several hours a day 7 days a week.

A message From En Garde Fencing 💜⚔

Hello Folks!

By now, many of you will have received word that the evacuation order has been lifted for Santa Rosa. Like you, I am eager to return to something more normal. However, the club will NOT be open tonight, in order to give everyone a chance to catch their breath before we get back into our routines.

Instead, I would like to open up again tomorrow night, on Halloween. Originally I had planned to be closed for the holiday, but I think it would be better to offer up EGF to everyone as a meeting place to reconnect and gather together as a community. I'll have the air purifier on full blast, plenty of candy for trick or treating and our regular classes. I hope you will join us! If anyone would like to bring something to help celebrate our return, please feel free. Let's make it a fun night for the kids and the whole family as we come together once again.

I sincerely hope all of you are well and safe, and I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Breathe easy,

Jim