As of 3/13/2022 face covering are optional in the Fencing Center.

Is it safe?

All kidding aside, safety is our primary concern. We do believe it is possible to participate in the sport of fencing and remain safe during this pandemic, but it takes all of us working together to protect each other. Our membership remains committed to adhering to all of the new rules we have put in place to protect our fencers and staff.

Face masks… and other equipment

As of 3/13/2022 Face coverings are optional in the building.

In the early days of the pandemic face covering was required at all times in the Fencing Center, even under your fencing mask. Mitigation of infection risk to other participants being the overall goal. Wearing a mask decreases the radius of respiratory droplets surrounding an individual and/or decreases the forward projection of respiratory droplets and/or aerosols. The mask barrier also may absorb some respiratory droplets.

We do not share equipment. All fencers that do not have their own gear are assigned a set of equipment that only they will use (with the exception of a weapon) until they can acquire their own. Club weapons remain in the Fencing Center and are cleaned after each use.

House Rules - we must remain vigilant.

In order to continue to keep everyone safe, please take note of the following:

• Self-monitor for symptoms of COVID 19 at home and take your temperature before coming into the gym.

• Each session is limited to 12 participants plus staff. There may be two sessions going on simultaneously. (A few classes have been expanded if/when the other class scheduled at the same time has been canceled or reduced in size.)

• Each session, class or bouting, is 60 minutes in length. Lessons are 15 minutes.

• We ask that participants not linger in the gym after their class time is over. If you want to visit with other members, please do that outside the building.

• Participants must sign-up online in advance for classes, bouting and lessons. You may not simply “drop in” for class. (In addition to allowing us to limit class size, this allows us to provide contact tracing information should it become necessary.)

• As much as possible, please practice physical distancing while in the building.

• Only class participants should be on the gym floor.

Remember that our ability to remain open is dependent upon everyone doing their part to mitigate infection risk. Thank you for your continued support. Let’s get to work.