With Christmas and New Year’s on Sunday this year, we will be closed from Friday December 23 thru January 1. We will reopen on Monday January 2 in Manchester, and Tuesday January 3 in Rochester. The only other holiday we will be closed is Memorial Day (a personally important day for me).  We are open for most of the federal holidays since schools & many employers are closed for those, that makes it a perfect evening to fence!

We start the 2022-2023 season this September with good news- Thursdays are back in Manchester, and Sundays will be back in Rochester in October!  The three month Fall Term at Seacoast begins on Wednesday, September 7 in Manchester, and Thursday September 8 in Rochester. Beginning and intermediate classes in Rochester will start on Tuesday, Sept 6 in Rochester, and the Manchester classes will start on Thursday, September 8.

USA Fencing has dropped the mask mandate for vaccinated people, so if you are vaccinated, fencers and spectators do not have to wear breath masks. However, if you do not have an up-to-date vaccination card, you will have to wear a breath mask at all times, except when drinking. Bring your vaccination card (paper or cell phone photo) to your first meeting.

I will have a parent’s meeting at 7:00, on Wednesday 9/7 in Manchester, and Thursday 9/8 in Rochester, to go over procedures in the club and answer any questions, and to collect payments. The fencer’s meeting is at 7:00 on Monday 9/12 in Manchester, and Tuesday 9/13 in Rochester.

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 (September, October, and November)
Children        $365
Youth            $385
Junior            $405
Adult             $405

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 4:30 pm on Sundays (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.  All Rochester and Manchester junior and adult fencers are welcome, but the program will focus on developing high level competitors.

Advanced Class will be offered in early October. This is a great way to learn more offensive and defensive techniques for newer youth, junior, and adult fencers).  It will meet once a week for 30 minutes, for nine classes, 7:45 to 8:15 pm.  Manchester on Mondays and Rochester on Thursdays. The class will be taught by the head coach (Chris Pullo). Tuition is $110.

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!

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.