May 2020 Update

You really don’t have to read all of this, this is supporting information for everything I say here!: https://youtu.be/lqPGTXnr8n0

USA Fencing Now Sanctioning Classes, Events, and Programs
So good news, USA Fencing is now sanctioning classes, event, and programs. But the bad news is we are also mandated by North Carolina pandemic closure policies. It won’t be until Phase 2 of North Carolina’s re-opening phases that we can continue classes. (https://governor.nc.gov/news/governor-extends-stay-home-order-through-may-8-plans-three-phase-lifting-restrictions-based)

Other USA Fencing Updates
Live videos are sanctioned because it provides coaches sight supervision. Just know that participating in our pre-recorded classes are not sanctioned and you must make sure you practice safe practices in your home. Also USA Fencing will be re-building it’s membership (they too, took a hard hit), by allowing non-competitive members one sanctioned competition, Lastly, USA Fencing will provide some sanitizing duidelines as we reopen.

Equipment
We will continue to sanitize our equipment after every class. We will have disinfecting sprays and wipes for our equipment. But now is a good time to look at getting equipment for yourself! If you were thinking about starting with one piece, get a fencing mask, it is the closest piece of equipment to your face. Many masks hover around $56-$59. But we recommend Absolute Fencing Gear, because they are offering a deal for a free glove with a purchase of a mask (which would be the second thing we recommend to purchase):

Absolute Fencing Gear Mask:
https://www.absolutefencinggear.com/shopping/product_info.php/products_id/1147/cPath/
(There are other styles available, just make sure you get a foil mask with the electrical bib.)

Downtown Parking
I looked to see if the app for paying for parking in the parking lots were available yet, but they are not. But the new machines are installed, they take coins, bills, and credit cards. I’ve tried a credit card and took a little longer for my taste, but I always have quarters and dollars bills ready when I come down to the the fencing club.

Special Interview with US #3 ranked fencer, Nick Itkin!
We hope you’ve been enjoying our On Strip/At Home Audio Series that center around athete resilience. In 2019, Nick Itkin fenced Italian Tommaso Marini in the Shanghai Grand Prix and won after an amazing comeback. See that post here: https://www.allamericanfencing.com/on-strip-at-home-audio-resilience-series:-nick-itkin-interview