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Take your fencing to the next level this summer!
Alex is the Head Coach and owner of RIFAC, and is the Head Coach at Brown University. He was named Coach of the Year in 2016 by the US Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA). He coaches successful international competitors, members of the US Cadet/Junior and US Veteran World Teams, Ivy League and NCAA champions.
The Bears Elite Fencing Clinic will offer competitive fencers an opportunity to work with Brown’s awesome coaching staff and elevate their fencing to the next level. RIFAC is home to the Brown Bears Varsity Women’s Fencing Team and the Brown Bears Men’s Club Team.
This is an excellent clinic for fencers interested in competing at the national and collegiate level.
Join Head Coach Alex Ripa for instruction in all three weapons, with a special focus on mental preparation. Participants will achieve improvement in footwork, bladework, tactics, and mental toughness while working with Coach Ripa and the Brown staff, who approach training with a focus on athlete individuality.
Coach Ripa will teach athletes to expect the best from themselves and will guide them to expand their best attributes that make them unique! Come join us for hard work, lots of learning, and lots of fun in the Ocean State!
Required Fencing Equipment
Since this is a competitive clinic, fencers are required to have all of their own equipment. This includes everything they would use at a competition: underarm protector, jacket, glove, mask, knickers, fencing socks and sneakers, lame (foil or saber), 2 body cords and at least 2 electric weapons.
This clinic is open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.
This clinic is not sponsored nor hosted by Brown University, but rather is under the sole supervision and control of RIFAC.
*10% FAMILY, MULTI-CAMP AND EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT NOT APPLICABLE FOR BEARS ELITE CLINIC
This clinic will take place at RIFAC, which is located in East Providence, just a few miles from the Brown campus.
RIFAC has 14 full sized grounded strips, air-conditioning, and all the training equipment needed for fencing at the highest level.
Participants can either pack their own lunch or may purchase lunch for an additional cost.
Dates: June 20-22, 2025 or July 25-27, 2025
Cost: $495
Please note the schedule below is tentative and subject to change
Friday 5-8pm
4:30-5:00pm • Arrive at RIFAC
5:00-6:30 pm • Warm-up, Mental Toughness Lesson, Footwork and Group Lessons
6:30-8:00 pm • Structured Bouting, Competitive Fencing
Saturday 10am-4pm/Sunday 10am-3pm
9:30 – 10am • Arrive at RIFAC
10:00 am – 12:30 pm • Warm-up, Footwork, Conditioning, Mental Toughness/Goal Setting, Group Lessons
12:30 pm – 1:00 pm • Lunch*
1:00 – 4 pm • Structured Bouting, Competitive Fencing, Competitive Team Events/ NCAA style tournament
Coach Alex will be available to meet and greet participants and parents on the Friday of each clinic from 4:30-5:00pm.
A Special Brown Campus Tour will be organized for fencers and their parents on the Saturday evening of each clinic (weather permitting.)
Fencers and their families may want to consider staying in downtown Providence where several hotel options are available within walking distance to many wonderful restaurants and local attractions.
Several Airbnb options are also available near Brown on Providence’s Eastside, or in the beautiful surrounding coastal areas of Rhode Island, such as Bristol and Newport.
Refund Policy
A full refund will be issued when notification is given prior to June 1. Sorry, no refunds will be made after June 1. In addition, we do not issue refunds for time missed due to illness or other personal reasons.
Fencing is a sport of passion and precision, and for two decades, Rhode Island Fencing Academy owners Alex and Jill Ripa have shared their love and knowledge with thousands of students, some of whom have risen to the highest levels of this perennial Olympic sport.