Idea: Source for Club Starter Equipment

[Mr Epee]

Providing fencing equipment for beginner classes/workshops seems to be a fairly common problem. Purchasing the equipment as a club can easily run a couple grand, and it's difficult to get folks to buy their own kit, before they've given it a shot.

I had a good experience that I will share.

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Our fencing club rcvd a call the other day from a local middle school who wanted to donate all their fencing equipment to us. Now mind you, we had no idea that any local middle schools had ever offered fencing, let alone equipment. The P.E. teacher explained that they were trying to unload some old equipment that had been stored in their annex building. He explained that it was probably 20yrs old, and that if we didn't want it they were just going to throw it away.

I told him that we were interested, and set-up a time to pick it up for them.

I really expected to find some old smashed masks and a couple of rusty foils.

Instead they had about 15 masks, 20 jackets, 18 french practice foils, and about 40 gloves. The equipment was honestly about 15 years old (I'm guessing), and was all Santelli Vintage in near perfect condition. The jackets had even been dry-cleaned before going into storage.

The masks are all the snap-in bib variety. (We will stitch). I was a little worried about whether they were safe, but I punch tested every single one of them, and they all passed.

All sized for kids ages 7-14 ....
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So my thought is that there may be more than one opportunity like this out there. I'm always surprised by how many schools used to have fencing classes. Many of them owned equipment. It might not be a bad idea to call schools in your area to ask if they have old equipment to donate. You never know, and you might hit the jackpot.

We now have about 60 sets of starter equipment... yea us!

If you have had a similar experience, or success with this idea, please let everyone know.

[Craig]

Cool story. May be common in the north east, I doubt you'd find that in most areas of the country, but the major metro areas should check that out.

Craig

[hawaii kid]

Had a very similar experience several years ago. It helped me get my club started in a major way. Found out through the grapevine that a school in Goodnews Bay, Alaska (look it up on your atlas, be prepared to spend some time doing it though) had about 12 sets of beginner foil gear. I traded for $200 USD. Every one was delighted!

If you've got some connections inside the state school district I'm sure you get somebody to send out a broadcast message to all the gym teachers. Most would be happy for a small donation to their slush fund.

Happy hunting!
Kodiak Kid