The Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club Turns 12!
When I opened BBFC in 2010, I never imagined that it would grow the way it has. I started the club with just , 4 strips, and 13 students, but it never would’ve happened without the support of my then-pregnant wife, Sasha, as well as a ton of invaluable hands-on construction from Miles Manning, Frederic Gindrey, and Cyrus Summerlin, with consulting support from Buckie Leach.
I planned on BBFC being a feeder club to the larger foil programs in the city. I just wanted to provide a higher quality fencing education than was currently available at the time. However, if you want to hear the universe laugh, make plans.
I am so grateful and appreciative to everyone who has stepped through the doors at 68 Jay Street, #508 over the last 12 years, as we have been able to expand to over one hundred fencers, a staff of 5 full-time coaches, and 11 strips. The success of BBFC is due in large part to our amazing staff: Senior Coach Henry Kennard and Coaches Jose Samora, Michael C. Green, and Jean Goto, as well as past staff members Brendan Meyers, Robert Nunziato, and Katya Belkina.
I’m also proud to say that BBFC’s competitive results are recognized at every level of the sport. From winning local tournament medals to Olympic ones, we help athletes achieve their athletic dreams using an empathetic coaching model that uses fencing as a metaphor for life to help young people handle the stresses of everyday life.
Thank you!
Dan