Charles Johnson became involved with the sport of fencing in 1984 and has participated as a competitor, instructor and organizer. Competing from 1985 to 1995 he has participated in numerous local and national competitions. Coach Johnson started teaching and coaching in 1994 and has coached some of Florida’s top fencers. In 2000 and 2005 he assisted with the World Veteran’s Championships, both held in Tampa. In 2016 he became involved with the United States fencing Association Para Fencing program and in 2019 he traveled to South Korea with the US Team for the World Para Fencing Championships. Terry Hayes, Coach Johnson’s Para Fencer, represented the United States in the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo. For his contribution to the sport the Central Florida Division created the Charles Johnson Sportsmanship award which is presented to a deserving fencer every year at the division championships.

“My teaching/coaching philosophy has developed through years of experience working with children, teens and adults. I believe every individual is unique and approach each of my students with respect for their individuality.”

Coach Charles coaches intermediate/advance classes and does private lessons throughout the week. He is also an expert on fencing equipment repairs and training.

Lee Shelley, OLY is a two-time Olympian, three-time U.S. National Men’s Individual Epee Champion, two-time U.S. National Men’s Team Epee Champion and is enshrined in the U.S. Fencing Hall of Fame.

Lee’s long fencing career also includes the following:

7 U.S. World Championship- Teams
2 Pan American Games Teams- Team Gold & Team Silver Medals
3 Junior World Championship- Teams
4 World University Games- Teams
North American Cup Champion
U.S. Olympic Committee- Fencer of the Year
Coach Lee graduated from Princeton University and earned an MBA from Columbia University. He was coached by two Hall of Fame coaches, Tony Orsi and Jerzy Grzymski. Lee now looks forward to sharing his knowledge and years of experience in Epee with students and members of all abilities here at the Southwest Florida Fencing Academy!

Eli McGinty has been fencing since age 14. His favorite and only weapon being foil. He fenced at Stanford, Rochester Fencing Club, and Penn State. And has trained under a plethora of wonderful coaches such as: Saul Mendoza, Zoran Tulum, Nate Goodhartz, Emik Kaidanov, Wes Glon, Lisa Posthumus. He is still competitive to this day.

Coach Eli is easily the best coach to get a foil fencer from good to great. His no-nonsense teaching style drives results and expects excellence. His biggest pet peeve is wasted talent. So when taking his class expect to receive open and actionable critique, because he genuinely wants to see you improve.

Coach Eli is also our club president.

You can coordinate private lessons and competition readiness assistance by contacting him through SportMember direct chat!

Edrik Pedraja is our youngest fencing coach and the newest to the sport of fencing after beginning early in 2022. Edrik quickly fell in love with fencing. Due to his fierce love for the sport, ever expanding breadth of knowledge, and just plain talent- it was only natural that he joined the team as a coach.

Edrik has many hobbies ranging from music and photography to ice skating and darkroom chemistry. At the moment he is also currently a full time flight student. Learning to fence is difficult, and Edrik remembers what just starting out feels like. He is fairly laid back and fun but will set a rigorous pace.

Michael Sharp started fencing foil in 1996 and began competing in epee 1998. He took a break in 2007 and returned to the sport in 2022. Coach Michael said, "I like how Coach Charles has created a fencing club that uses fencing to teach character and lifeskills." He enjoys the diplomacy and practicality of epee.

Coach Michael can be found at the club coaching fencing and epee classes.