“Great coaches are visionaries. Great coaches instill, nurture, and encourage vision, then model and motivate surrender to it. ”
Coaches
Gidon Retzkin, Founder and Head Coach
Coach Gidon Retzkin was a member of the Israeli National Team for nearly a decade. During his competitive career, he was a 3-time Cadet National Champion, two-time Junior National Champion, ten-time National Team Champion, and was ranked #1 among Cadet and Junior fencers in Israel. He was also a finalist at the Junior Team World Championships, representing Israel with distinction on the international stage.
Gidon holds a coaching degree from the prestigious Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports, as well as a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Queens College, NY. With over 20 years of coaching experience, his students have achieved success at both national and international levels, including representing the USA at Cadet and Junior World Fencing Championships. He has served as a designated USA team coach at numerous international events and currently serves as an assistant coach at Columbia University, where he mentors world-class athletes and has helped produce NCAA, Ivy League, and World Champions.
Brendan Meyers, Foil Coach
During his competitive career, Brendan was nationally ranked first in every age division from Youth-12 to Juniors—many of them simultaneously. He is a multi-time national champion, multiple-time Junior World Cup winner, three-time Cadet and Junior National Team member, two-time Cadet and Junior World Championship bronze medalist, and finished the 2003–04 season ranked second in the FIE Junior Standings.
As a coach, Brendan brings over a decade of experience from top clubs including Fencers Club, BBFC, and now East Coast Fencing Club. He has coached athletes at every level—from beginners to Olympians—including Race Imboden (Olympian) and Sam Moelis (NCAA Champion and Olympic alternate).