The country had a massive upswing of Covid-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holiday. We are now facing some decisions after the Christmas holiday. I am, for the sake of the health of the fencers in the club, asking those families who travelled outside their immediate family bubble, or who had extended family members or friends visit them, to not participate in practices or classes during the week between Christmas and New Years. I also ask the same after any New Years Eve (or Day) celebrations involving non-immediate family members or friends.

I am also asking all fencers and their families to keep a close watch on the health of everyone in their family bubble, and if any member of that family shows signs of a Covid-19 infection, to stay home until that person is tested, and receives a negative result from that test. And if they test positive, to follow the NH Governor’s Task Force Guidelines. Also, I would like to be emailed about any infection, so I can determine if those guidelines require me to close the club under those guidelines.

It is important for all of us to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19 during these trying times. The health and safety of my fencers and their families are my number concerns.

We start the Winter Term (December, January, and February) at Seacoast on Tuesday, December 1st. At this point, there are no changes to the training groups (see below). The tuition will remain the same, and the days during which we are open are also unchanged. All age groups will meet on the days we are open in each club, with Children joining the Youth Training. Covid-19 rules are still in place.

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.

Manchester Schedule – Mondays and Wednesdays

Children and Youths 6:30 to 7:45 pm
Juniors and Adults       7:00 to 9:00 pm 

Most of the epee fencers have chosen to meet on Wednesday evenings, but foil and epee fencers will meet on both Mondays and Wednesdays.

Rochester Schedule– Tuesdays and Thursdays

Children and Youths     6:30 to 7:45 pm
Juniors and Adults      7:00 to 9:00 pm 

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

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

Tuition for the three month Fall Term  (September, October, and November)
Children       $325
Youth             $340
Junior            $365
Adult              $365

Advanced Class     $100 (a great way to learn more offensive and defensive techniques for newer and younger fencers).  Meets once a week for 30 minutes, for nine classes, 7:45 to 8:15 pm.  Manchester on Mondays and Rochester on Thursdays.

The holiday season is upon us. Christmas and New Years Day fall on Friday, both days which we are already closed, so they will not impact our schedule.

Both Christmas Eve and New Years Eve fall on Thursdays, so the Rochester will be closed on both days. The Manchester youth fencers will not be meeting on Wednesday, December 23, but will meet on the following Wednesday (12/30). I will see what the junior and adult fencers want to do on those two Wednesdays. The beginning and intermediate students will make their decisions on their Wednesday classes with their instructors.

Happy Holidays!

The second Seacoast team meet will be held on Saturday, December 12, at the Rochester facility.  After some discussion with various parents, the date of the team meet is being pushed back one week due to the possible ramifications of family gatherings at Thanksgiving. The 5th would be in the middle of any Covid-19 infection that could have occurred during gatherings during a Thanksgiving celebration. December 12 is well past the 14 day contagion period.

All events will be scored electrically, and will follow the collegiate format, where each bout is for five touches.  You must have your own body cord, and you can buy them at the meet for $30.  

Electric equipment will be available for rent ($10 for a weapon, $10 for lame). And we willhave knickers available as well (no charge- but you must take them home and wash them, and bring them to the next club meeting).
Below are the steps for signing up for this meet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iH32SgKa9pigxthRo73NjtMPmIeUIh1K3bimcToevQs/edit#gid=0

See you on the 5th!

No one has emailed that they were contacted by the schools or the health officials that they were in close contact with any of the students in the Rochester school system had Covid-19, nor that any of our fencers tested positive.  

So all of you can come back and fence tonight!

These are difficult times with the pandemic, and it is my belief that it will always better to err on the side of our fencers’ health.  Thank you  for your cooperation last week.