South Florida Fencing Club
Do you want to try something exciting?
Do you want to try something exciting?
Welcome to South Florida Fencing Club and to the world of one of the most dynamic and mentally challenging sports. No matter what level you are, experienced or not, you are always welcome to come and join our club. Our club is the most successful fencing club in Florida. Multiple members of our club have accomplished national and international level of success over the past years. In SFFC’s resume there are accomplishments in the likes of national title, numerous medals from North American Cups, an NCAA Champion, 2 silver medals and one bronze from NCAA Fencing Championships.
Also club representatives have taken part in three World Championships for juniors and represented team USA all across the world. We are proud of our club members who went on to continue their love for fencing and received scholarships at some of the top universities in the country like Princeton, Duke, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Brandeis, etc. Whether you want to challenge yourself or try something new, you will develop valuable skills and lessons.
The trail to the United States fencing championship now winds squarely through Boca Raton's Sugar Sand Park. That's where reigning USA Fencing title holder Ivan Goriunov spends many of his nights. That's where he first learned the sport he now commands. Nearly a decade ago the Goriunov family emigrated from Russia to Boca Raton. At the time Ivan's older brother, Andrei, began fencing with the South Florida Fencing Club as part of his pentathlon training. Ten-year-old Ivan became an interested spectator. “When I was little I had to come and just watch and be here because we didn't have another car,” Ivan said. “And I was like, I want to try. And here we are.” Ivan grasped the sport quickly.
Fast forward nine years from Ivan idly watching his brother to July, 2023, and the USFA Summer
National Championship in Phoenix. Now 19, Ivan rallied from a 14-11 deficit in the championship
finals, registering the final four points of the match to defeat former champion Adam Rodney
15-14 - claiming the USFA Epee National Title in the top adult division.
“That was the coolest match,” Goriunov said, grinning.
Sugar Sand's community center has been the home of coach Mario Jelev's South Florida Fencing
Club for some 15 years. Fencers practice nearly nightly inside half of the field house – the
clangs of the epees, along with the beeps and horns of the scoring system often offset by
squeaking of sneakers and the pounding of volleyballs during free play on the other side of the
curtain.
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Offers an introduction to the sport of fencing. It includes the fundamentals such as footwork,
mechanics and other various fencing exercises. We provide equipment for all beginners class
members. The class meets twice per week and each class is 60 minutes in length.
Monthly fee $170 Boca residents
Members of this class will be provided with a group lesson plus technical, tactical and
performance advice.
Advanced class members need to have their own equipment. Private lessons are only available to
advanced class members and after consultation with the coach.
Monthly fee $220 Boca residents
Head coach Mario Jelev
Assistant coach Lubo Jelev
Private lessons available upon request, coach's decision and availability
For tournaments, there needs to be a one week notice of coaching request before every tournament.
Beginners Class - Tuesday and Saturday at 6:30pm
Advanced and Intermediate Class - Tuesday at 6:30pm | Wednesday and Friday 8pm (after basketball) | Saturday at 6:30pm
