Conversations with Kathy Vail

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Vail.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of Dunwoody Fencing Club. We began teaching small fencing classes in our community and, over the years, have brought our sport to community centers, high schools, and colleges around the country, Hard work and persistence have made our club a success. We now have a coaching staff of four, all of whom are certified, professional coaches. Our fencers have earned regional, national and international recognition. Our club is a highly competitive epee club that also welcomes recreational fencers.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Twenty years ago, as a woman starting a business and coaching in a male-dominated sport, it was difficult to be taken seriously. Our students’ results and our on-going classes proved that we are good at what we do

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a certified, professional epee coach, I believe what sets me apart is my commitment to our sport and to continuing education in our sport. I completed USA Fencing’s year-long Leadership Academy in 2022 and was selected as a mentor in USA Fencing’s Project Empower, a program to support and promote women as coaches in 2024. I am a member of the Review Board of the Classical Academy of Arms, as well as the co-founder and current Chairman of the Georgia High School Fencing League. I served as the United States Fencing Coaches Association’s vice-president for the Southeast, I was named a USA Fencing Spirit of Sport Champion in 2018. I have served as USA Fencing’s Regional Coordinator for the Southeastern US. I am past Chairman of the USA Fencing Scholastic/Collegiate Task Force and member of USA Fencing’s Club Member Services Committee. In 2019, I was honored to receive USA Fencing’s Outstanding Service Award in Youth Fencing.
Our fencers have won national championships and earned medals in local, regional, national and international competition. We have also trained fencers who have earned college scholarships and who compete in NCAA Division I programs

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I am excited about our newest program: LightSpeed Saber classes, (Yes, like Star Wars) Last week, we were honored to be selected to demonstrate lightspeed saber at the Atlanta screening of the first two episodes of Disney+’s “The Acolyte.”
Our coaches are completing professional training and will offer instruction in competitive lightspeed saber fencing beginning in August of 2024. This is an exciting, new program which allows us to weave our competitive and recreational epee fencing background into our approach to this sport

Contact Info:

• Website: dunwoodyfencingclub.com
• Instagram: dunwoody_fencing_club lightspeed_saber_ga