Sparring available in NorthCentral Idaho?

[JamesFoley]

I am new here and I still have to have my Shinai sent up from California, but I was wondering if there is anyone available in or near my area who is qualified to spar and teach?

I am interested in learning my capabilities and limitations, and in finding out, if it's possible, what my most effective style and weapon might be. I prefer the Bastard sword, the scimitar, and the Falchion, but of those I have really only sparred with a bastard sword, and that years ago at a rennaissance faire.

As far as what I have, ... nothing really. I just have to have my two Shinai shipped up; so, any equipment a person could bring would be appreciated. I am interested in buying, but that would have to be as I progress, and most likely in installments.

I am not just interested in the weapons mentioned, as I like all weapons [other than Guns... not a big fan, sorry], and would learn as many as I could and then attempt to focus on the one(s) I find myself best at and most comfortable with throughout practice.

I am NOT ambidextrous, but if it's possible I would certainly like to be.

Please contact me if this sounds like something you may be interested in, and we can work out other details as you see fit.

Thank You Sincerely,
James Foley

[Gene Tausk]

Mr. Foley - please log out and sign in with your full name, first and last, as demanded by our Forum rules.

Thank you.

[JamesFoley]

Mr. Foley - please log out and sign in with your full name, first and last, as demanded by our Forum rules.

Thank you.

No, thank you. I wasn't aware, especially since I put my full name in the post itself.

So; do YOU know of anyone in NorthCentral Idaho who can help?

[Brian Hunt]

Hi James,

I don't know of anyone in Idaho, though you are close to Spokane, WA and I thing there are a couple of ARMA guys there.

Hopefully they will chime in.

Brian Hunt
GFS

[JamesFoley]

Thank you... I'll see if I can find anyone in that area, but Spokane is also about 6 hours away. Should be interesting.

[Keith Culbertson]

Welcome James! although it looks about as far from Kamiah as Spokane, there are a couple guys with Corey Roberts in Missoula Montana as well.

In the meantime, start looking at the solo ARMA exercise materials on the website and read as much as you can fromall the books and articles to get used to basic concepts and terminology. Also, I see that there is an NTP 1.0 soon in Seattle you might consider attending for a truly solid introduction.

cheers,

[JamesFoley]

You know, I will. thanks.

I'm going to check out the reading material, but just how effective is it? I honestly don't expect it to make me expert, but if it can give me a solid base then I'm all for it.

If I can get out to Missoula I'll try. I have to reapply for my drivers license though. I let it lapse in the four years I moved up here from Cali and my car was repoed [long story and off topic]; so, I'll have to come by some wheels too. I still haven't been to Missoula yet, so that should be interesting.

thanks again for all your help guys.

P.S. To Gene... I hope I didn't seem rude with my last post. If so; sorry.

[Benjamin Smith]

I'm in Pullman WA, just across the border from Moscow. Send me a private message if you'd like to set up specifics for a meeting. I'd love to have the chance to work with you.

By the way, the moderators don't let anything slide about using first and last names, it keeps people honest.

[JamesFoley]

Excellent. Thanks Benjamin. I'll do that. Are you on here fairly often? I ask because It will probably be a month before I get my Shinai up here. That's two weeks to my next check, 1 week to send some money to my mom in Cali, and about another week until they arrive. Sadly. Pullman Moscow isn't too far. You guys have a ren. fair up there every once in a while right? Does it include sparring and jousting or is it just the artsy renaissance stuff? I've heard both. I'm trying to convince my fiancee's cousins to go to that one. They live in Clarkston, Wa.