Hello Dietrich,
This group from what I can tell is a Classical olymic style site. It
is nice that it does not have too much social gosip and occasionally
has good info on events or the like.
There is a "westfence" SCA yahoo group for the west cost that has
chatty individuals. There are even a few good fencers that have
studied some of the historical masters and styles that frequent that
site. Our group the Diamond Rose Academie D' Armes has a Yahoo group
but is mostly for guild updates for our events. The main SCA web
site can connect you with a local group in your area. Our school
fights mostly what you would describe as a Historical French style.
It is a basic fencing style based on Martialy correct balance and
footwork with focus on a blanced, historical offence and defense. We
have found that it is universally teachable to the range of students
we teach from the small to large, active to not so, young and old.
Gives a solid base to the fencer then allows the student to study the
other styles and add "PLATE" moves to their bag of tricks. We study
Italian, Spanish, German, English etc. Got to know your enemy :). To
know your weakness and learn to use it to your advantage makes you a
more formitable opponent. Next is to know your opponents weakness and
learn to use that to your advantage is almost as useful. Each style
and master has its strengths and weakness that let you have a glimpse
of that maestros physical and mental abilities.
Lady Katie