By Claire Miller
It was an emotional goodbye when Charles Randall, revered fencing coach and co-founder of the Club Esgrima Vallarta, left for the United States in May to join the U.S. National Sabre Coach Ed Korfanty at the U.S. National Training Center in Portland, Oregon in May.

Now assistant coach to Korfanty, Randall is keeping his promise to continue assisting the Vallarta team. Randall secured 3 partial scholarships for PV's Jennyfer Lobato, Hector de la Torre and Ana Hernandez, to come and train with the U.S. National saber team and other world champions at the Portland center's Elite training camp in August.

"Jenny has been here before, and each time she comes you can see her level and understanding of the sport increase. With the new timings in sabre I felt it was critical for her, Hector and Ana to come and learn new techniques to use with these timing changes. Jenny came before the training camp, as she had to return to Mexico for the Div. 1 competitions, which were happening at the same time as our elite camp here. Jenny's time here paid off, as this last weekend she achieved her goal of making it onto the Div. 1 Mexico National Team for the first time. I felt that this was going to be her year to make it, in May she briefly became the #1 ranked fencer in the county. She continued training consistently even though I had left so I am very proud that she realized her dream," said Randall.
For Hector de la Torre and Ana Hernandez, this was their first visit to the United States. "Charles had warned me to work out as hard as I could, that this would be the hardest training I had ever undertaken, but I never came close to imagining how hard this camp was going to be" said Ana. "During the first day I didn't think I could make it through, I wondered how I was going to face the second day. I was exhausted and sore. Hector was feeling it too, so we talked together and with mutual support we both made a mental adjustment to embrace these feelings and work though it together. After the 4th day we were starting to feel stronger, and it just got easier. I learned so much. I even got to fence Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis (I lost 3-15). Now I know why everyone from PV who knows her likes her so much. She was welcoming, down to earth and friendly.

I also made friends with Merrick Zagunis, JJ Go, Mera Keltner and several others. Mera surprised me, she gave me a pair of $200.00 fencing shoes that didn't fit her, these are my very first fencing shoes and I am so appreciative," continued Ana. ."I could not have made this trip without the help of my sponsors. I want to thank Villa del Palmar Hotel, my Uncle Oscar Ceballos, and my god mother Susana Austin Sommers for believing in me enough to help make this trip possible" said a happy Ana Hernandez. "I knew Ana would really benefit from this trip, especially if she could get through the tough first days. I wanted her to come to see how champions really train, giving it their all. She exceeded all my expectations and I am extremely proud of how she stuck to it and made the most of this opportunity," said Randall.

17-year-old Hector de la Torre arrived a few days ahead of the camp start date. In those few days he had a chance to fence Jr. World Champion Rebecca Ward losing to her 15-4, he fenced NCAA all-star Ian Farr losing 15-6, and Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis losing 15-6. By the end of the camp Hector stunned all (except his coach Charles Randall) by his ascent to the top. In the camp tournament Hector eliminated Mariel in a tight bout 15-14, then moved into the finals defeating Pan. American Games. Jr. Champion William Thanhouser. Hector moved into the gold-silver match against Patrick Ghattas (Jr. World Sub-Champion- ranked #2 in the world in Jrs, Ghattas was the strongest male fencer at the camp). All fencers stopped fencing and lined the sides of the fencing strip watching the match. Even Coach Korfanty stopped what he was doing and moved to watch the match, the tournament had been buzzing about Hector's stunning wins. Giving it his all Hector took the match to 11-11. Ghattas called upon his years of experience and then finished the match 15-11. Afterward he shook de la Torres hand and said "congratulations you gave me a really hard time". The crowd applauded both fencers in appreciation for the exciting duel. The only fencer he was not able to beat during the camp was Ghattas.

"I think I learned the most from Patrick and Mariel" said Hector. "At the end of a completely exhausting day (the day I beat Mariel), everyone went home, Charles told me to take a look at Mariel if I wanted to see what makes a real champion. Mariel asked Ed for lesson to learn why I had beat her, she took a 40 minute lesson after the 8 hour camp, then bouted for 45 minutes to put into practice what Ed had just shown her. The next day Mariel asked me to fence, she wanted a chance at revenge! We fenced, she beat me 15-11. From Pat I learned what true stamina, speed, using every strategy and calling on your inner strength looks like. He, Ana and I were the only fencers from the camp that also went on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to the adult open bouting sessions from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. Pat is an incredible athlete but he doesn't rely on that – he uses his ability to fool and change direction at the speed of light.

His technique and speed are amazing to fence against. Each time you face him you never know what to expect. You can be ahead of him 13-5 and he never thinks the world defeat, he comes back and finishes you off without a second thought.

He keeps fencing, dripping sweat, taking all comers, coach Korfanty has to tell him to quit so we can go home.

I admire these athletes so much" continued de La Torre.
"I knew Hector would learn a tremendous amount. I have felt that he has true talent for this sport. I expected him to respond to the atmosphere and spirit of competition at the camp. I watched him get better each day.

He was able to beat those who had beat him in the beginning (Ward, Farr, Thompson, etc). by the middle of the camp and by the end of the camp his confidence and adaptation to the new timing and strategies had become a strength. Coach Korfanty pulled me over to congratulate me on how well Hector was doing" said Charles Randall. "Hector is going to be extremely dangerous in Mexico in both his own division of Juniors and Div.1. I believe he has the most potential of any fencer I have seen from Mexico" said coach Ed Korfanty.

With Randall gone, it's apparent his legacy is continuing on. Last weekend his 3 female sabre fencers, Jennyfer Lobato, Ariana Aranda, and Anylu Cruz took the Team gold medal at the National Championships in Mexico City. Jenny also took the individual bronze with Ariana #5 and Anylu #7. The strong finish put both Jenny and Ariana on the Div. 1 Mexico National Team, making Puerto Vallarta responsible for filling 50% of the national team spots.

In men's epee, Osbaldo Arciniega helped bring home the team silver medal. Club President and epee coach Eugenio Davidson Rodriguez commented, "Charles may be physically gone, but his spirit is with us every day. His students are extraordinarily trained and they know what to do. He and I are in constant contact and he continues to help us in everyway possible. He has helped me arranged for Osbaldo and Stefany Lobato to go to Portland in Nov. to join Michael Marx for epee training at the national epee training center there. As long as the kids continue to want to train and work out we will continue this club in the same spirit that Charles and I founded it in. To keep fencing as long as we enjoy it".

Next up for the club, Ariana Aranda as the #1 fencer in the country will travel to Guatemala for the Central American Championships in October. Then will be the November Cadet and Jr. Championships. Complete information on Club Esgrima Vallarta can be found at: www.geocities.com/esgrimavta

Some species are shy while others will come right up to you expecting to be fed. This unnatural behavior was created by repeated hand feeding and/or the regular throwing of crumbs in the water surrounding the boats. The debate of whether this practice of feeding fish is advisable or not continues. While this adaptive fish behavior presents no danger to humans, it could be detrimental to the fish should a spear fisherman enter the area. The fish wouldn't know the difference and that would make the poacher's job a lot easier. The three species of fish that most frequently approach people and boats at Las Marietas are: The King Angelfish, the Panamic Sergeant Major and the Cortez Chub. You may find interesting to know that if hand fed, the first two will carefully only take the bread but the third will often nip your finger by mistake.

A few species are also very good at camouflage. The combination of their coloration, the area they inhabit and their tranquil behavior permits them to remain unseen by most inexperienced snorkelers. You could find yourself no more than four feet away from a Panamic Fanged Blenny (although it can measure up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length) and not see it as it blends perfectly well with the rocky reefs and moves very little. Another one who follows the same example, and one of my favorite reef fish, is the Flag Cabrilla. This particular fish can measure up to 1.7 feet (0.5 m), its body is of an olive green to reddish brown with irregular white spots.

It usually sits between two rocks and also moves very little unless it feels threatened. The reef Cornetfish, will also change its coloration pattern to avoid being seen. This long tube-like fish (up to 5 feet in length (1.6 m)) has a very elongated narrow snout and a long filament extending from its anal fin. Under normal circumstances, it is of an almost transparent color with large vertical light beige bands along its body. When detecting an unfamiliar presence, it will change its color pattern to narrow horizontal light blue pinstripes, making it hard to see in water or over a sandy bottom.

On the other hand, some fish seem to always steal the spotlight with their vibrant colors, special traits and active swimming. In this group, we find the Giant Damselfish, a 2-tone blue fish with long elegant caudal and anal fins (males can be distinguished by their silvery head). The Juveniles of this damselfish are simply spectacular with their dark purple-blue body and bright neon blue spots. Also included in this group, although more rarely seen, is the beautiful Moorish Idol (up to 8 inches in length (20 cm)), a white and yellow-bodied fish with clearly defined vertical black stripes, an elongated snout and a long whitish filament on the dorsal fin that extends beyond its tail. Snorkeling tours to the Marietas Islands can be reserved all over Vallarta.

This group of closely set islands got the name of "Las Tres Marietas" a long time ago when a twin sister by the name of Marieta was kidnapped and hidden away somewhere in the bay. She was finally found on one of three islands located at the northwest end of the bay, and hence came their name. Or so that's the story I was told by some locals. It may be true or it may be fiction, but in any case, it sounds good and that's probably why this story is being perpetuated. Either way, these islands are truly beautiful, with their innumerable caves carved by time and water; a true piece of art created by Mother Nature These Islands are also the home of the Blue-footed Booby, and yes, their feet are really blue, turquoise in fact.

They can be distinguished from the Brown Booby (more common in the Bat area) by their white bellies and head whilst the Brown booby has a brownish head and a clear distinctive coloration line at the breast. On your next snorkeling trip to Marietas, take a peek at the islands themselves, fish are not the only thing worth seeing there.

Many different locations around the islands offer great snorkeling and diving opportunities. On one side, you are still in the bay, while on the other you can almost say you are in the Pacific. Well, not quite but almost, as this group of islands is located at the outermost limit of the Bay of Banderas, close to the middle point between Punta de Mita and Cabo Corrientes (the 2 extremities west of the Bay). Depending on the weather and sea conditions, you can always find a quiet spot somewhere for snorkeling. These islands are under the "Natural Protected Area" act and therefore, fishing is not allowed there. As a result, many different species of fish enjoy the safety of the surrounding waters.