Brenden Richard is Head Coach and President of the South Coast Fencing Center. Brenden ran the fencing program at UC, Irvine for 8 years before opening Reál Fencing in 1999 to better serve Orange County and the surrounding areas. Since then, the center has grown to over 150 fencers and changed its name to the South Coast Fencing Center (SCFC).

Brenden began his training in southern California in 1991 before joining the UEA british collegiate team in 1993. Continuing to head the UC, Irvine program in the mid-90's, he later returned to Europe for additional trainining. In 2001, Brenden moved to Madrid, Spain, to train with their Olympic team for 5 months. During this time, Brenden also traveled to Holland to study under 3-time World Champion Sergei Golubitski.

In addition to his time in Europe, Brenden is certified by the United States Coaches College (USCC) as a fencing instructor and continues to return to Colorado Springs each year for additional training. He is a lifetime member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association.

Brenden is also a member of the United States Fencing Officials and is an active referee at the National level, having officiated in many North America Cups (NACs) and National Championships. He holds a national Referee rating in both foil and épée.

In addition to his coaching and refereeing responsibilities, Brenden is currently serving as the Regional Youth Coordinator for the United States Fencing Association (USFA) for southern California, Nevada and Hawaii. He is tasked with developing and overseeing regional youth competitions in the southwest.

Brenden's coaches include Sergei Golubitski, Jesús Esperanza, Daniel Costin, Ed Richards, Al Couturier, and Sud Deland.

Nick Dinu
Coach

Nick started fencing in 1977 in his native Romania. His coach and mentor was Daniel Costin, who refined his exemplary technique and helped him become a member of the Romanian Sabre National Team. During his career, Nick won gold medals at the National Championships both at junior and senior levels.

While still an active competitive fencer, Nick began his coaching career in his hometown of Brasov in 1988. Here, among other students, he coached Mihai Covaliu, future Olympic Champion in Sydney 2000 and current World Champion. After retiring from competitive fencing in 1992, Nick became a coach for the Romanian Olympic Junior Team.

In 1995, after moving to Canada, Nick started coaching at Beaches Sabre Club in Toronto. During his 10 years of coaching in Toronto, he helped many fencers attain a very high level of skill and performance. Among his most notable students are Olga Ovtchinnikova and Ursula Bero, winners of many national and international medals, including gold at National Championships. Olga also went on to win the bronze medal at the World Championships for Cadets in 2002.

Nick enjoys working with elite fencers as well as novices. He believes that good pedagogy is one of the most important qualities of a fencing master. His coaching style emphasizes the learning of correct and diversified technique as the foundation for building a sound set of skills to achieve the full potential of the fencer.

Nick is available for private lessons Thursdays through Saturdays.

For more information on lessons with Coach Dinu, contact us at info@southcoastfencing.com.

Brian Clawson
Coach

Brian Clawson started fencing in 1992 with the Victor Valley High School fencing club Haake und Slasche and continued his fencing career as a member of the California State University, Fullerton Fencing Team from 1995-1997. While at CSUF Brian was the Epee team Captain, won the Intercollegiate Fencing Conference of Southern California in 1996 and 1997, and competed at the NCAA National Championships in 1996 & 1997 finishing 20th & 15th respectively. After college Brian continued to be taught by the CSUF Head Coach, Heizaburo Okawa a 3 time Olympian , a multiple time national champion in both Japan and the United States, and CSUF Head Fencing Coach from 1980-2006.

Brian has maintained and “A” rating in epee since 1995 and was a US National Point holder in Epee from 1998-2002, during which time his best finish at a national event was 12th and his highest national ranking was 15th. He has also competed at World Cup events in Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Brian is currently coached by CSUF Head Coach Michael Hinojos, and No Fear Fencing Club founder and Head Coach Chuck Alexander. Brian is currently a volunteer assistant coach at CSUF and has been, as time has allowed, since graduating in 1997.

Brian is available for private lessons on Monday evenings.

For more information on lessons with Coach Clawson, contact us at info@southcoastfencing.com.

Missag Parseghian
Instructor, Vice President
missag@southcoastfencing.com

Missag H. Parseghian, PhD is an Instructor at the South Coast Fencing Center and Vice President of Reál Fencing Inc. (the parent company of SCFC).

Dr. Parseghian first studied fencing briefly under the direction of Ted Katzoff at UCLA. Upon commencement of graduate studies at UC Irvine, he joined the fencing program, where, at various times over the next 10 years, he served as an officer, faculty advisor and an instructor.

With the goal of establishing a professional-grade fencing program and training center in Orange County, Missag, along with Brenden Richard, Louis Alvarez and several other associates, founded the Reál Fencing Center in 1999 in Aliso Viejo. At Reál, Missag was Vice President in charge of Instructional Programs. He worked with Mr. Richard and others in the establishment of workshops, audio-visual training tools and other teaching innovations to help enrich the program at Reál.

Missag's coaches include Olympian Ed Richards, Brenden Richard and Laura Holmgren.

Jaime Wood
Instructor, Secretary
jaime@southcoastfencing.com

Jaime Wood started his fencing career in Nashville, Tennessee three years ago. Upon his arrival in Orange County, took up fencing at the Reál Fencing Center in Aliso Viejo, where he soon accepted a position as Secretary for the club.

In 2002, Jaime helped open the South Coast Fencing Center, where he continued in his role as Secretary and instructor.  Today, Jaime teaches many of the beginning and intermediate foil programs currently offered at SCFC.  Jaime is also the head Amorer for the center and is available for weapon repair in the Armory.

Jaime's coaches include Ed Richards and Brenden Richard.