We will be having our end of season team meet this coming Sunday, May 22. This is limited to only Seacoast Fencers from our Rochester and Manchester location (no other clubs). It is a chance for our two venues to gather and get to know each other. It is also for all of our new fencers from each club to have their first electric competition, so they can both learn how it differs from bouts in practice, and to see our most junior and adult fencers compete and use the skills they developed during training.

I will endeavor to mix the teams with fencers from each club, and to keep the teams as balanced as possible. The format will be the collegiate team format, where every fencer on a team fences all the fencers on the opposing team, but not their own. If there are only enough fencers for two teams, we will hold an individual event after the team event. We will try to keep all the events to 3 hours.

All bouts will be electrically scored, and for those without electric equipment, we will have it available for rent ($10 for a foil, an $10 for a lame). Knickers will be available to those without (no charge). Entry fee is $15 for all events, plus a $5 director fee for the youth and cadet events ($20 total).

I look forward to seeing all of you this Sunday. The link to sign up is below.

SFC Team Meet – Google Sheets

USA Fencing changed their Covid protocols last Wednesday, and since Seacoast has been following their protocols since the beginning of the pandemic, we are changing our protocols as well.

Fencers will no longer have to wear breath masks under their steel masks while fencing on our strips, or during blade drills and lessons! This change will make the activities much more pleasant, of course, but the big effect will be in improved air flow and increased cooling via breathing.

However, breath masks must be worn at all other times while in the building. From the time you enter the building until the time you leave. Except, of course, while drinking, which has been allowed since the beginning.

Our team meet on Sunday, May 22 will follow the above protocols. See the more info page on askFred for our upcoming D Meet on June 11 & 12 for competition protocols.

The three month Spring Term at Seacoast begins on Tuesday, March 1st in Rochester, and Wednesday, March 2nd in Manchester! 

The Covid-19 rules will remain in place for the time being.

Please bring the tuition to the first meeting. Cash is accepted, and checks should be payable to Seacoast Fencing Club. Sorry, but we do not accept credit cards or e-payments.

Fall Tuition (December, January, and February)
Children        $335
Youth            $355
Junior            $375
Adult             $375

Manchester Schedule  

Children                          6:00 to 7:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays
Youths                            6:30 to 7:45 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays
Juniors and Adults         7:00 to 9:00 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Foil and epee is fenced every practice.  However, in Manchester, epee fencers big night is Thursdays, and foil fencers big night is Wednesdays.  Monday is usually an even mix of foil and epee.

 Rochester Schedule

Children                         6:00 to 7:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Youths                           6:30 to 7:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Juniors and Adults        7:00 to 9:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
                                      2:00 to 4:00 pm on Sundays for National Training

Foil and epee is fenced every practice.  Time will tell which nights will have the best turnout for each weapon.  

Sunday practices in Rochester will have intensive training and coaching for those who want to prepare for regional and national competitions.  We will not have practices on the weekends when Seacoast hosts a tournament. All Rochester and Manchester junior and adult fencers are welcome, but the program will focus on developing high level competitors.

Advanced Class will start Tuesday, March 8 in Rochester. This is a great way to learn more offensive and defensive techniques for newer youth, junior, and adult fencers).  It will meet nine times, twice a week for 30 minutes, 7:50 to 8:20 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Manchester will start Monday, March 7. It will also meet nine times, twice a week, 7:50 to 8:20 pm, on Mondays and Wednesdays. The class will be taught by the head coach (Chris Pullo). Tuition is $100, and can be added to the Spring Dues. Sign up at the club notice board in each club.

An Absence of the Blade class for foil fencers will be held in April. It will meet four times, and each class will be 30 to 45 minutes long. Tuition is $50. Sign up at the club notice board in each club.

All Seacoast fencers can come to both the Manchester and Rochester locations if they want to pick up an extra day of fencing (with a new mix of fencers). There is no extra charge. 

As always, we are happy to stay an extra half hour if fencers want more time on the strip!

Two Seacoast fencers went undefeated in the E Meet held this past weekend. Congratulations to Caleb Wenger, who took the gold medal in men’s epee, winning all six of his pool bouts, and won the gold medal in a hard-fought bout 15-14. He earned his D-2022 with his victory.

Ida Choy was the gold medalist in the women’s foil, handily winning all her pool bouts, and going on to win her gold medal in the final, 15-4. She upgraded her rating to an E-2022.

Congratulations, Caleb and Ida!

We don’t take many holidays off, since when schools are closed, it is a good day to have classes and training- no homework!

The only holidays for which we close are Thanksgiving and the Wednesday before, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, and Memorial Day (a personally important day for me).  Since the clubs don’t open in September until after Labor Day, and are closed the month of July (including the 4th), I guess technically, we are closed on those holidays as well.

So come in for classes and training!