CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 21 A t the time most families in Fayetteville get home from a hard day's work and contemplate dinner, some among us are picking up swords to plan an attack. ey study their opponent for weaknesses and speak their own language, using terms such as "riposte," "flunge" and "feint" — and oh, yes, "en garde." Gerhard Guevarra, founder and coach of All-American Fencing Academy on Donaldson Street, teaches the sport of fencing. His students range in age from 7 to 80 and come from diverse backgrounds. Guevarra says if you can climb his building's steps and wield a sword, he'll teach you how to fence. A busy father and family man, Guevarra works full time as a school liaison officer on Fort Liberty and coaches fencing in the evenings. He began teaching the sport in Fayetteville in 2001, holding classes at local school gyms. His efforts at the time resembled more of an outreach than a business, but he found that the interest was there and began to slowly recruit students. In 2008, during the Great Recession, Guevarra opened his business at the downtown location. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic presented challenges. Guevarra gives credit to several families who kept their memberships and remained faithful to the club for the business' survival. "Without them, we would not be here today," he says. Lately, the smoldering interest in fencing has begun to spark a blaze as word gets out about the exercise and the fun they're having downtown. Guevarra says the two-man sport is safe and fun and no experience is necessary. e academy's motto is, "We dare you not to love it." All-American Fencing even provides the equipment to make it easier for beginners. e popularity of the unconventional sport is growing nationwide. Guevarra's fencing club is the only one in Fayetteville or within a two-hour drive. Guevarra's mission statement is today what it was then: Introduce fencing and make it available to everyone who is interested and not let cost or equipment be a barrier. Disasters Disasters Happen Happen. Be prepared, e prepared, heed the warnings heed the warnings and stay informed. and stay informed. Tornado, Fayetteville, 2011 Hurricane Florence, Fayetteville, 2018 Hurricane Matthew, Fayetteville, 2016 Summer storm season begins in June. While we always hope to escape nature's wrath, past storms are harsh reminders of what can come our way. PWC wants to help you stay safe and avoid or mitigate damage with prudent planning and preparation. Our new comprehensive Storm Preparation Guide provides vital information/details: • Preparing your home and your family • FIRST 72 IS ON YOU! Have a 72-hour emergency supply kit and store water • What to do if the power goes out – and after the storm • Valuable safety tips, including generator safety • Preparing for floods and so much more Visit Sto Storm Central m Central at faypwc.com/storm-central to request a copy of our 2023 Storm Preparation Guide – and for contact information, news/communication sources, helpful links and videos and other resources. 17562 Opposite, Gerhard Guevarra, founder and coach of All-American Fencing Academy on Donaldson Street, teaches the sport of fencing.

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