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Beginners' Fencing at One Two Six Fencing Club.

If you want to start fencing, please read the information below and email joandmarc@fencing126.wanadoo.co.uk

Please click on the 'Coaches' page to meet the Coaches who will guide you through the very basics of learning to fence.

One Two Six Fencing Club prides itself on offering frequent Beginners Courses so that you don't have to wait for months for your course to start!

The lessons run alongside our Club sessions, allowing beginners to benefit directly from the experience of our regular fencers and to get to know everybody. At the end of your course, you will be invited to join the main fencing club, where you will free-fence with other fencers and receive individual tuition from the Coaches.

Numbers are limited on our Beginners Courses in order to maintain your learning experience at a high level. There will be at least one coach to every six fencers, guiding you step-by-step through the skills that will enable you to score points in a real fencing match after just one lesson. Hire of all fencing equipment is included in the cost of your course... just bring yourself!

Beginners Courses 2010:

Venue: Phoenix Sport & Fitness Centre, Shepherd's Bush, W12 0RQ.

Next Course in Shepherd's Bush starts:

Tuesday 7th September 2010 7pm - 9pm.

Runs for 5 weeks.

Cost: £100

Future Course Dates:

Dates for 2011 coming soon

Please click on the attatchment at the bottom of this page for an application form

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Frequently Asked Questions:

What is fencing?

Fencing is a fast, exciting, tactical, technical, sword-fighting sport. Warning: this sport is addictive!

Fencing enables you to learn the skills and experience the thrill of real sword fighting, without the blood loss! As a beginner, you will learn Epee fencing. The Epee is the easiest weapon to learn in that the rules are simple and straight-forward and the whole body is target (the other two weapons, Foil and Sabre, have rules about hitting a particular target). The fencing stance is with your feet shoulder width apart at right angles and your knees bent so that you are balanced and can change direction quickly. You hold the Epee in your right or left hand, and cannot swap hands during a match (unless you sprain your wrist!).

What should I bring to my first fencing lesson?

All equipment hire is included, however you must wear long tracksuit trousers, tshirt and trainers (squash shoes are ideal as they have a thin sole). It is also important to bring a bottle of water with you. Your fencing lessons are thirsty work!

Do I have to be super-fit to fence?

You do not have to be fit for your first fencing lesson. Fencing is a very technical sport and the first lessons will be primarily learning these techniques and learning how to score points in a fight.

You will find that fencing improves your fitness very quickly as you start to apply the techniques you have learned to energetic fights. Top fencers are very fit, with strong, fast legs and amazing cardiovascular fitness. Head Coach Jo Maynard has a Sport Science degree, and can help you with a training plan if you want to improve your general fitness, or fencing specific fitness.

Is there an age limit for fencing?

At present, One Two Six Fencing Club caters for Beginner fencers over the age of thirteen up to adults of all ages. There is absolutely no age limit when starting to fence. Our coaches at One Two Six have taught fencers ranging in age from 3 years to 80 years! The age range at the club is currently 5yrs to 50yrs plus. We are confident that whatever your age, you will fit in to our club, as we have been lucky to build up a membership of amazing people who help each other with their training and will help beginners with extra snippets of advice and encouragement.

Can I enter Competitions?

YES! The Coaches at One Two Six Fencing Club are competitive fencers, regularly attending up to 7 national and 6 international competitions per year. We encourage all of our fencers to enter competitions to benefit from the experience of fighting against fencers from other clubs with the added excitement of a competitive atmosphere. Competitions are an opportunity to meet like-minded people who also love fencing. Please see our 'News and Results' page to read about our club fencers' competition exploits!

The fencing coaches at One Two Six are also available to give private fencing lessons as well as group sessions.

For more information, please call Jo Maynard on 07939 070392 or email her: joandmarc@fencing126.wanadoo.co.uk