Fencing Clubs in South Florida?

[Valerie]

My son, nearly 12, began fencing in January and thinks he may have found his sport. We will be moving to South Florida next year, somewhere in Broward County (around Ft. Lauderdale) or possibly southern Boca Raton. I have looked at the Clubs in the area listed at fencing.net and the US Fencing site but most seem to have closed down and the few others have limited info on their websites, which gives me little confidence.

I'd really like him to continue with fencing and am trying to triangulate work/home/fencing club. Does anyone know of a club in that area they would recommend for beginners? Thank you in advance!

[noodle]

boca blades and masters fencing both have active fencers.

masters, which is in north miami, might be a bit too far south for you, but it does have good foil. can't speak to whats in boca.

thats about all i can give you, unfortunately.

[HDG]

My club (Miami FC) is way down south, so not much help for you.

There is a new club in Weston (way out in west Broward); Antoaneta (Toni) & Anne-Marie are good coaches. Anne-Marie is on the US Veteran's team.

Masters FC is a great foil club, but yes, they close for a month every summer.

Basically only kids at Boca Blades these days, but that might not be a bad thing.

Palm Beach FC / Florida International Fencing Academy is a very strong epee club, but is is only an epee club.

Here is the Gold Coast Division (USFA) website; it has (more or less) up-to-date club listings.

[Valerie]

Noodle and HDG,

Thank you both for your quick replies! Miami FC and Masters seem to be the most active in the area (and nice websites!). The one in Weston also sounds good but, like Miami and Masters, I think it will be too far away.

Thus, I sent a note to Hector at Boca Blades a couple of days ago and hope to hear back that he is still coaching kids. I had not previously heard of Florida Academy International but found them on the Gold Coast website you provided. I suppose my son could switch to epee if Boca Blades is no longer an option...

Thank you again, I really want to support my son in this as he seems to have found the sport that best fits him.

Valerie

[koorsgirl]

Florida International Fencing Academy is located in Boca Raton. IT is an epee only club. It is very active and has some of the top ranked Cadet and Junior epee fencers. The Youth fencing is also very active and quite a large group. They are open five nights a week and conveniently located right off I95-Palmetto Rd. exit, at Sugar Sand Park. The website is www.fifencingacademy.net
They have fencers driving 3 & 4 hours to train at this club.
Check them out.

[HDG]

FIFA is indeed an outstanding epee club; Mario, Bob and Franco are great coaches and terrific fencers. The people coming from all over the state to train with them (Jonathan & Sarah come immediately to mind) are doing great things.

At Boca Blades, Hector is definitely teaching kids; what I meant to convey in my previous post is that the club is made up only of kids these days. I don't believe he has any adult fencers right now (I could certainly be wrong, but I know that he doesn't have any adult competitors currently).

PM me if you'd like; I am the incoming chairman of the Gold Coast Division and will be happy to help in any way I can to get you set up with a club.

Harry Gould

[Valerie]

Koorsgirl and HDG:

Thank you both for the additional information! I think I am going to check out both Boca Blades and FIFA when I travel to the area in January to scout out homes, schools, etc. I haven't heard back from Hector but from what I understand, this is a "down" time for many fencing clubs so perhaps he is on vacation.

Thank you again, I will take you up on your offer to PM you, HDG, if I have any further difficulties finding a club. I appreciate your dedication to the sport and helping us be part of it.

Valerie

[HDG]

The more, the merrier.

[alextrinquet]

Hi i just saw your question.
I have been fencing for one year out of Sabre outreach network.
here is the web site: http://sabreoutreachnetwork.org/default.aspx
They have a few programs in the area.
I hope it is not to late.