Meet Greg Kaidanov

Many of you said, "I want to meet the people running things in our community." So, I’ll be sharing some of the incredible faces I’m meeting from time to time— meet Greg Kaidanov: 👇

Background:

👋: Coach Greg’s story is incredible. His dad was a national coach in Latvia and even coached at Penn State, which brought their family to the U.S. In 1996, Greg returned to NoVa, took a leap of faith, and turned his passion for fencing into something bigger. The club started humbly in a church basement and has since grown into a dedicated facility with over 250 members.

Insight:

💡: Nova Fencing and Archery Club isn’t just a place to learn fencing. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or an adult, there’s something for you, from learning the basics to summer camps, and even competing in tournaments. Think of it like a treehouse for sports enthusiasts—fun, welcoming, and built for everyone to enjoy, no matter their level.

Food for thought:

🧠: Coach Greg joked, “Come in and try just 15 minutes of footwork drills—then see if you can walk the next day!” I always thought fencing wasn’t super demanding, but I was wrong. Fun fact: it’s actually safer than Olympic badminton. Who knew?

Want to support? Head to their site and say hello.

Thanks for reading!