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Most people attend two or three group classes per week – either Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday with an occasional Open Fencing or Saturday Footwork class thrown in. We recommend that regular attendees become club members to receive a savings of $30/month or more. Tthose who only attend one day per week should pay by the class. Members fence in one of five types of classes, depending on age, experience level, and competitive goals. Those who are not regular members (including fencers who may be visiting Santa Barbara) attend the occasional group class or simply pay a floor fee and show up during open fencing. We break down the types of classes below.

Note on Group classes vs Open Fencing: group lessons are important for beginning to intermediate fencers. They emphasize technique with the foil revolving around a set curriculum of movements. More time is spent doing paired exercises with the weapons, touching the opponent and willingly being touched. Blade classes are meant to familiarize fencers with terminology, to impart muscle memory, and to hone technique with practice.

For more information on Introductory Classes, click on Learn to Fence.

Senior Classes (for Ages 13+)
In fencing, Seniors are athletes aged 13+ (as opposed to Veterans, who are aged 40+). Presidio Fencing Club offers three group classes per week for Seniors. These classes are appropriate for teenagers and adults who have completed an introductory class and want to learn more about sport fencing. Monday and Wednesday classes emphasize technique with the foil and then place that technique into situations resembling a fencing match. Saturday "Footwork!" classes are for sport-specific conditioning. All classes begin with a warm-up and introduce drills related to fencing. Basic equipment rental is included in the class fee. At Presidio Fencing Club we do not have "sessions" like some other clubs have. Classes build upon one another, but a short review at the beginning of each class always gets even the rank beginner up to speed. Basic equipment rental in included in class fee.

Youth Fencing (Ages 8-12)

Presidio’s Youth Program is for children between the ages of 8 and 13 and is a natural progression for children who have confidently completed the Intro class. Classes help children develop a foundation for sport fencing through games and exercises in a fun-filled environment. By implementing a specific set of movements and drills, we emphasize improving overall coordination, balance, and manual dexterity; building self-confidence; learning etiquette through competitiveness; and gaining an understanding of the basic rules for foil fencing.

Cadet Fencing (Ages 12-16)

We noticed that some of our Youth fencers are getting older (and taller ... and stronger...) than some of their classmates. We set up this class for them. This class is also for those Junior High and High School students who want to fence, and maybe who want to try a competition or two, but who might not be committed to a competitive training program. While fencers in this class will continue to develop technical skills through drills, the main emphasis will be on sparring, including sparring with electric weapons.

Homeschool Fencing
We offer opportunities for physical education for families who home school their children. Children fence together in a controlled setting and with a continually advancing curriculum. Some parents fence in the group, too, making the class very family-oriented. Homeschool Fencing is led by Mary Alice Wintz, a college student and competitive fencer who began fencing in our very first homeschool classes back in 2004. Assistant Coach Wintz has been helping with our Youth fencing program since 2008.

Junior Competitive (Ages 13-18)

Our Junior program is for high-school athletes who have made fencing their sport of choice. Many of these athletes are taking Independent PE and they attend competitions on a regional, sectional, and national scale. Classes begin at 4:00 pm with conditioning workouts designed to improve the flexibility, strength, and power necessary for success during competition. After training, the athletes undergo bladework exercises and controlled sparring. Along with a focus on the various technical and tactical elements of sport fencing, this class also addresses elements pertaining to all sports, including nutrition, goal setting, and tournament mentality. Junior Competitive Fencers who are serious about training often receive additional private lessons with a coach.

Please note that this class requires an invitation from a coach and an additional monthly fee will apply. Before attending, students must be able to demonstrate intermediate skills and knowledge of the sport. They must also express an interest in attending tournaments and obtaining their own electrical equipment. Students should be aware that more time will be spent here on technique than on actual fencing.

Open Fencing
This is a time to practice in a less-controlled environment, and with electric equipment. The more advanced Senior fencers only attend Open Fencing, supplemented with Private Lessons. Open Fencing requires prior fencing experience and participants should have their own equipment.

Private Lessons

Lessons are the traditional training method in the sport of fencing. They allow athletes to hone their technique with one-on-one instruction and are suitable for all fencers, introductory to advanced. Those who cannot attend an intro class should consider private lessons, as should those who want the extra edge for competition. Lessons last approximately 20 minutes and tend to be fairly intensive. Lessons may be scheduled with a coach during times when there is no group class. Multiple lessons may be scheduled in one day as agreed upon by the athlete and coach.