Vinegar Hill’s Olympic touch: Fencing club builds skill and confidence
At the Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club, training is led by Dan Kellner, an Olympian, Olympic coach and member of the United States Fencing Hall of Fame.
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In Brooklyn’s Vinegar Hill neighborhood, young athletes are learning to sharpen their reflexes and their confidence through the sport of fencing.
At the Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club, training is led by Dan Kellner, an Olympian, Olympic coach and member of the United States Fencing Hall of Fame. As the club’s head coach and owner, Kellner says coaching the next generation is the fulfillment of a lifelong passion.
“It may not be everybody's dream, but it's my dream to be a fencing coach and I'm just happy to be able to give back to the sport that's given me so much,” Kellner said.
The club welcomes students as young as 5 years old, introducing them to the fundamentals of fencing - from lunges and footwork to precise bladework.
Coaches say the training helps develop physical coordination while also building strategic thinking. Senior saber coach Frasier Ward says the sport encourages students to think on their feet.
“It's like learning something for the first time. But more than that - it's about problem-solving and decision-making. It's skills that apply outside of the fencing club as well,” Ward said.
Beyond the drills and competition, many students say the club offers something just as valuable: a welcoming community.
“I've made so many friends, and this always my favorite activity because like, I get to be active,” said student Quinn.
Fellow fencer Isla says the sport’s strategic nature is what keeps her engaged.
“I like the tactical part of it. It's really it helps you in other scenarios, too,” Stewart said.
For newcomers, stepping onto the fencing strip can be both exciting and challenging. But the club also offers private lessons for those looking to sharpen their technique and build confidence more quickly.
Kellner hopes the lessons learned inside the club extend far beyond fencing itself.
“Hopefully, a place like this will inspire children to work hard enough to achieve whatever dreams they have, whether it's getting recruited to college or representing their country at the Olympics," says Kellner.
