Abingdon Fencing Club - New Fencers

If you’ve not fenced before

If you want to give fencing a try,we will be happy to give you coaching and information to get you started.

You will probably have some questions about fencing, so we have compiled this short guide for you. If you still have questions you can contact us via our email.

Do I Have To Wear Special Clothes?

We suggest that you wear a t-shirt, loose tracksuit trousers, and sturdy trainers that support your ankles. Trainers must have non-marking soles. We can provide you with kit from the club, including jackets, masks and weapons.

Do I Have To Be Fit?

Fencing suits a wide range of ages and levels of fitness. If you’ve not done any physical exercise for a while we would recommend you see your GP before trying any sport. It’s important to warm up before you fence and one of our coaches will help you and make sure you don’t push yourself too hard!

How Old Do I Have To Be To Start Fencing?

At Abingdon Fencing Club we have a minimum age limit of 8 years. Parents/Guardians are welcome to stay and watch their children fence.How Much Does It Cost?

Adults can pay nightly or join for 12 months. Our fees are currently £5.00 per night or £116 per year for adults. A ten week introductory course for adults costs £85 which includes one years membership of British Fencing. Annual membership fees can be paid quarterly. Junior fencers pay for a term of lessons at a time, with the cost calculated at £3.50 per night.

Is There A National Body For Fencing?

Yes, British Fencing is the UK lead body for fencing. All members of the club join British Fencing.

What Coaching Will I Get?

Junior fencers will be coached in a class setting by our two professional coaches. New adult fencers should take part in one introductory courses in which the basic moves are taught. Further group coaching for adults is available at a cost of £3 per night in either the foil/epee group or the sabre group.

Is Fencing Dangerous?

No. Fencing is a very safe sport, because we check that all our equipment is of a good standard, and that everyone plays by the rules, and uses a bit of common sense! Coaches are always present at Abingdon Fencing Club to monitor safety.

Is The Equipment Expensive?

Compared to some other sports, fencing is relatively cheap. If you want to see price lists we suggest you visit some of the suppliers’ websites, these are linked to our website on the links page.

What Are The Weapons In Fencing?

There are three weapons in fencing, the foil, epee and sabre. We fence and have coaches in all three weapons.

Are There Competitions In Fencing?

Yes. Some competitions are for certain age groups, weapons, regions or abilities. Our match secretary will be able to help you find suitable competitions to enter.

Can You Achieve Awards In Fencing?

Yes. British Fencing (the lead body in the UK for fencing) has a series of achievement grades that our coaches can tell you about.