Help Get New Gear for Swordplay LA Students

Hello friends, family, and supporters!

We are a dedicated fencing and stunt fighting studio located in Burbank, CA. Over thirty years, Swordplay LA (www.splafencing.com) provided sport fencing training to children and fencers of all walks of life. Swordplay LA has also provided accessible theatrical weapons training for performers all across Los Angeles. It has been named a “staple” of Burbank and is Burbank’s oldest fencing studio. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were forced to downsize our operations and move to a smaller facility. Over the past two years we have adapted and pivoted our services because of how much we care about our students. We were well aware that the smaller facility (700sq feet) was less then ideal for training but we wanted to give our community the opportunity to continue to participate in the sport they love in any way they could. And we are so grateful for the wonderful community of students and families that have supported us along the way. Your positive attitude, your flexibility and your patience has not gone unnoticed.

Now, we have some exciting news to share: we are moving to a bigger facility (2,700sq feet)! This new location in Burbank will allow us to expand our operations and accommodate more students. We will be able to add more fencing strips, add a dedicated area for our students training in theatrical combat, a functional fitness area, and storage options for students’ gear. We have been working tirelessly with this goal in mind for the past two years. However, due to the downsizing during COVID-19, we had to get rid of over 50% of our fencing gear, including blades, masks, jackets, gloves, and fitness/training equipment. We also took a devastating financial hit losing almost 85% of our student base within the first two months of the pandemic.

That's why we are launching this GoFundMe campaign. Our goal is to raise enough funds to purchase new fencing gear and stunt training equipment for our students. With your support, we can provide our students with the tools they need to succeed and reach their full potential in the thing they love, in the studio they love.

Your donation will help us purchase new fencing equipment, including electric blades, masks, gloves, and other essential gear. It will also allow us to provide our students with access to the latest training equipment, such as new fencing machines and electronic scoring systems. For our theatrical students we would love purchase all new training weapons for them and create a state of the art space for them consistent with industry standards. By giving to this campaign, you will be making a tangible difference in the lives of our students and helping to support the growth of our community.

Donations over $250 will be able to sign their name on a fencing bell guard which will live on a visible wall in our facility for the foreseeable future and officially be a founding member of the new Swordplay LA.

We are committed to providing our students with the best possible training and equipment, and we cannot do it without your help. Your support will make a significant impact on our club, our students, and the future of fencing in our community.

Thank you for your support!

Sincerely,

Swordplay LA Family

List of Equipment:

Fencing Gear

- 2 x aluminum fencing strips

- Electric blades to turn all of our non-electric weapons, electric

- 2 x electric scoring boxes

- 2 x electric reels

- Floor cables

- Tool rack for armory

Stunt Gear

- 6 x plastic katana

- 8 x fencing sabres

- 3 x aluminum cutlasses

- 4 x round aluminum shields

- 2 x plastic gladius’

- 7 x aluminum long sword

- 8 x mixed variety short swords or fantasy short swords or axes

- 1 crash pad (4 x 8 x 1)

- Gimbal for iPhone

- 30ft x 20ft of 1 inch thick puzzle mat for flooring

- TV for choreography playback

Fitness Equipment

- Free weights set 5lb- 30lbs

- Plyo boxes

- Bosu ball

- Mini hurdles

- Stretching mats

Office/ Amenities

- 1 black L shape reception desk

- Couch for common room

- Rug for common room

- Lockers for students

- Cubbies for students

- Benches for parents

- Swordplay LA sign for office