WMUR has issued a heat advisory for today, Monday August 8. The heat index is expected to reach 98 degrees and will have tropical level humidity. The Manchester building will be too hot to safely fence under these conditions. So, we will be closed today, Monday August 8. No practices, and no classes.

And to paraphrase how I end my winter storm closures:

“Stay home, STAY COOL, and stay safe.”

WMUR has issued a heat advisory tomorrow, Thursday August 4. Temperatures are expected to reach 99 degrees and will have tropical level humidity. Even with air conditioning, the Rochester building will be too hot to safely fence under these conditions. So we will be closed on Thursday August 4. And to paraphrase how I end my winter storm closures:

“Stay home, STAY COOL, and stay safe.”

We have always followed the guidelines required by the USA Fencing (the national governing body for fencing). But at this time, they have not set those protocols for the 2022-2023 season. 

So for now, we will follow the guidelines that USA Fencing used at the National Championships this past July, which are:  Breath masks are required to be worn upon entering the building and worn at all times, except when wearing their fencing masks during class or training. 

If at some point USA Fencing changes their protocols, we will also change ours. 

Students will be assigned jackets, masks, gloves, and foils, which will only be used by the student for the duration of the course- no sharing of equipment.

The club will continue to be open on the same days in June: Manchester on Mondays and Wednesdays starting August 1, Rochester on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting August 2. Membership includes fencing in both clubs if you like, at no extra charge.

Remember that your USA Fencing Membership expires on July 31, 2022! RENEW NOW (membership is required by the club insurance). https://member.usafencing.org/

August Term

Manchester Children- Not enough fencers signed up for the Children’s program in August. Summer camps & family vacations took their toll, so the Children will not meet this month. But it will resume in September. Those who paid for both June & August can either join the Youths at 6:30 or get a $125 credit for the Fall term.

Rochester Children- We have five signed up for August, so the Children will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 to 7:00. Most have prepaid for August, but if joining only for August, the dues are $175.

Manchester & Rochester Youths- Will be held in August, 6:30 to 7:45. Most have prepaid for August, but if joining only for August, the dues are $185.

Manchester & Rochester Juniors and Adults- Will be held in August, 7:00 to 9:00, but you can come in early and stay as late as 9:30. Most have prepaid for August, but if joining only for August, the dues are $195.

For those who won’t make it to the club very often, you can also pay the daily floor fee of $25.

Beginning and Intermediate classes will be held in both clubs

I hope to see you this month, but if not, I will see you in September.

After qualifying for the Summer National Championships, five Seacoast fencers will be competing July 7 through 11 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These five will be competing in 13 events, all of them in Division 2 and Division 3 categories.

Grace Murdoch Roy will fence four events- two Women’s Epee (Div 2 & Div 3), and two Women’s Foil (Div 2 & Div 3). Her brother Charlie will fence two events, Div 3 Men’s Foil and Div 3 Men’s Epee. They live in North Conway, and train at the Rochester Club. Caleb Wenger will fence the Div 2 and Div 3 Men’s Epee, and also Div 3 Men’s Foil. He lives in Manchester, and fences at the Manchester Club. Trevor Wohlers, from Rochester (where he also trains), will compete in both the Div 2 and Div 3 Men’s Foil. Jacob Chreky, from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, who spent this past school year as a City Year volunteer, will be in the Div 2 & Div 3 Men’s Foil. He spent the past year training at the Manchester Club.

Chris Pullo, the Head Coach at Seacoast Fencing Club will be accompanying them at the National Championships. We wish all of them good luck at the National Championships!