| Time | Tues | Weds | Thurs | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | YOUTH INTRO | ||||
| 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | OPEN FENCING | ||||
| 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | YOUTH FOIL | YOUTH EPEE | YOUTH FOIL | YOUTH EPEE | |
| 6:15 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. | ADULT FOIL | ADULT EPEE | ADULT FOIL | ||
| 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | ADULT INTRO |
Garrett Schoonover, who lost a leg in a 2017 car crash, discovered fencing through a friend and quickly excelled in the sport, winning two bronze medals at his first national event. Since then, he has become the all-weapon national champion and will compete in the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris. Schoonover credits his success to the support of the Utah Fencing Foundation and views the Paris Games as a stepping stone toward his long-term goal of competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
Join us in North Beach for an epee and foil winter fencing camp starting January 3rd - 5th, 2025. Sharpen fundamentals. Expand strategic and tactical decision making, build strength and have fun! Registration available below!
Brandon is a dynamic and creative fencing coach with over a decade of coaching experience. He has focused on coaching Epee and Foil, while also giving instruction in Sabre, and has coached both standup fencing, and parafencing (wheelchair fencing). Brandon has trained many students to national and international medals, as well as coached Paralympians.
As a coach, Brandon focuses not only on the fundamental aspects of fencing, but also the fun. He believes in a holistic approach - teaching strength and conditioning, proper breathing, mental resilience - and a cross training approach drawing from other combat sports. He believes that everything taught on the piste, can be taken off the piste and applied to aspects of daily life.
Whether new to the sport, or a veteran fencer, training with Brandon will elevate your game.
Stacey is a yoga teacher with the goal of meeting people where they are at in their body and mind journey. She has been a student of yoga for over 30 years immersing herself in the study of hatha yoga in the late 90’s / early 2000’s, but was introduced to meditation and breathing techniques as a child by her mom.
She continued her teacher training in the alignment based Anusara Yoga in Jackson WY and Salt Lake City UT. Stacey found her true calling after completing Accessible Yoga School training - learning that you can practice yoga from a chair, a bed, a wheelchair, against a wall, or a combination of all these spaces.
Breathing exercises and meditation are incorporated in every class, as is invitational language (it’s your practice and you get to choose your effort level). Options and variations are given for all physical poses. As Stacey likes to say, “Yoga class isn’t a performance, it’s a place to meet yourself with compassion.”
After you sign up, please feel free to attend the next class on the schedule. On your first day of fencing class, you will receive an introduction to foil and epee fencing. We will go over fencing rules, techniques, and the basics based on your skill level. Overall, the first day of fencing class will be a great opportunity to try out a new sport, learn new skills, and meet new people. If attending camp, students should bring lunch and quick snacks for the day, as well as a sports drink bottle for hydration.
Access level memberships through U.S. Fencing are $29/year and allow for all local tournaments and divisional qualifiers. In addition, the Access level covers accidental coverage. To sign up for a U.S. Fencing Access level membership, please visit: https://member.usafencing.org/membership-types
For the first month of fencing classes, all necessary equipment will be provided by our club. This includes a mask, jacket, glove, and weapon. However, if you are interested in continuing with fencing beyond the first month, we highly encourage you to invest in your own equipment. This will not only allow you to practice and train outside of class, but it will also ensure that you have properly fitting and well-maintained equipment. The basic equipment you will need to purchase includes a fencing mask, jacket, glove, and weapon. We can provide recommendations and guidance on purchasing equipment, and we have a variety of options available for purchase at our club along with member discounts.
Based on fencing best practices, it's recommended to wear sweatpants, leggings, track-suit type wear (avoid wearing jeans), sneakers with shoe laces for proper support and stability, and a t-shirt. It's also important to choose clothing made of breathable, moisture-wicking materials to help keep you cool and dry during your workout. Additionally, make sure to avoid any clothing that could potentially get caught in gym equipment or restrict your movement. For both camp and class, there will be floor exercises and cool downs, and students are welcome to bring a towel or yoga mat. Students should also bring hair ties, hair bands, scrunchies, or bandannas to keep hair away from their eyes if needed.
The United States Fencing Association (USFA) organizes fencing competitions and tournaments for all age groups, including those in the age bracket of 6 - 87 years old. These competitions are open to both beginners and experienced fencers. The USFA has a range of different events and categories, including individual and team events, foil, epee, sabre, and age-specific events. San Francisco Fencing Academy is open to new, or experienced fencers aged 6 - 87. Being a member of San Francisco Fencing Academy, as well as United States Fencing Association allows the student to compete in tournaments if they want to.
The gym features competition-level metal/rubber mats, which are ideal for running drills, training, and holding multiple sparring matches. The club amenities include a waiting lounge area, restrooms, and equipment storage. There is also a refrigerator available for storing sport drinks, protein shakes, snacks, and food, as well as a water cooler dispenser to keep you hydrated during your workout. Additionally, there is a toaster oven available for use. Overall, these amenities provide a comfortable and convenient environment for members to train and stay nourished before, during, and after their workout.
There are many benefits to learning the sport of fencing! First and foremost, it's a great way to stay physically active and improve your overall fitness. Fencing is a full-body workout that can help improve your strength, agility, balance, and coordination. It's also a great cardiovascular exercise that can help improve your endurance and stamina.
In addition to the physical benefits, fencing also offers many mental benefits. It requires a great deal of focus, concentration, and quick thinking, which can help improve your cognitive abilities and decision-making skills. Fencing also teaches discipline, sportsmanship, and respect for your opponent, which can be valuable life skills both on and off the fencing strip.
Finally, fencing is a fun and social activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. Whether you're looking to compete at a high level or just looking for a new hobby, fencing can provide a challenging and rewarding experience.
For membership changes, please let us know here: manager@sffencingacademy.com