About Us

Our mission

Is to create an inclusive positive environment, where the members of the communities of Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Irvine and the surrounding areas can study the modern Olympic sport of fencing, either competitively or recreationally.

 

It is important for us to maintain a low student-teacher ratio for satisfying individual needs in classes. At the same time we offer individual private lessons for maximum efficiency in development of skill and fencing expertise.

 

Olympic caliber coaching

Our center operates under the direction of Head Coach Nick Dinu.

 

Coach Dinu has been fencing for more than 30 years and spent the last 20 years teaching kids and adults the secrets of this very exiting sport. An accomplished fencer himself, he is proud to have been National Champion of his native Romania and to have represented his country at many international competitions.

 

But what he is most proud of is seeing his students succeed. And he has a proven track record for training for success.  Among his most notable students at the Olympic Center for Juniors in his native Romania is Mihai Covaliu, the Olympic Champion in Sydney 2000, World Champion in 2005 and bronze medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After moving to Canada, Nick coached in Toronto for more than 10 years. His best student here, Olga Ovtchinnikova, won the bronze medal at the 2002 Cadet Word Championship and recently finished 15th representing Canada at the Olympics in Beijing 2008.

 

In 2006 coach Dinu moved to the United States. His students here have already medaled at many local, regional and national competitions.

 

Coach Dinu enjoys working with elite fencers as well as novices.  He teaches thru positive reinforcement and strives to create a fun and pleasant learning environment. He also 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.



Copyright ©2010 Laguna Fencing Center