Learn to fence

There are no more learn-to-fence courses or sessions for 2024. Watch this space for our 2025 schedule.

We offer different course types for kids aged 8 to 15 and adults (16 and over). Click below to find out more.

Kids' Courses

Are you searching for a fun and exciting activity for your child? Look no further. We offer 5-week courses for children ages 8-11 and 12 - 15 each school term. They are held at the club situated in the gym of the North Adelaide Primary School.

Our kids' beginner courses for kids aged 7-15 provide an unforgettable experience that combines fun, uniqueness, and individuality. The course consists of 5 x 1-hour sessions on a Saturday at 9am for ages 8-11 and 10am for ages 12-15.

Participants learn the basics of fencing, including footwork, blade work, and how to use the electronic scoring system.

• Small Groups: With small class sizes, your child receives the individualised instruction they need to feel comfortable and confident.
• Accredited Coaches: Our team of accredited coaches is passionate about nurturing young people. They're not just instructors; if your child continues to learn they will become mentors who inspire and motivate.
• All Equipment Provided: No need to worry about purchasing expensive gear. We've got it all covered. From uniforms, swords and protective gear. Participants must wear long track pants, sneakers, and a t-shirt, and bring a water bottle. We provide the rest!

These courses are popular and are the only way for kids to start fencing at ASC. We do not offer trial sessions or one-on-one coaching for beginners. If you have fenced at another club or school, please contact us to discuss how to join.

Adult try fencing sessions

We hold several adult try fencing sessions throughout the year and sometimes a short course.

Over the session, our experienced coaches will guide you through the basics of epee fencing – attack and defence, footwork and blade work – and finish with bouting on the electronic scoring equipment. By the end, you will have the knowledge and basics to join the club as a fencer to keep learning.

$60 Bookings essential

Book the next available try session on our events page here.

If there is not one, keep an eye on our site and social media for announcements.

What happens after my course or try session?

After completing a try session or course, fencers are welcome to join the club and fence on weeknights to develop confidence and skills on the piste. The costs are club membership and Fencing SA registration. Read our membership page for more information and FAQ.

Beginner Course Refund policy: Refund for cancellations one week prior to the course start: 80 per cent of the booking fee is refunded. After this: no refunds are offered – but you can transfer the booking to another person (e.g. sibling or friend).  No partial refunds or discounts are offered for missed classes. 

MORE INFORMATION ON FENCING

Fencing is a low-impact sport that requires quick reflexes, good hand-eye coordination, and strong footwork. It is a great way for children to stay active and improve their physical fitness, and it is also a fun and engaging activity that can keep them interested and motivated. In addition, fencing helps children develop critical thinking skills, as they must think ahead and plan their moves to outmaneuver their opponents. Whether your child is looking to get involved in a competitive sport or simply wants to have fun and stay active, fencing is a great choice that can provide many benefits.

Need more information about fencing and children? This excellent article provides a lot of good points — Nine reasons why fencing is good for kids.

This article on what ages children can start to learn to fence is also very informative.

Italy’s Arianna Errigo (L) competes against Carolin Golubytskyi of Germany (R) in the final of the women’s foil event in the 2013 World Fencing Championships 2013. [© Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons.]

The modern sport of fencing

Fencing is a sport in which two competitors fight using blunt, electrically-scoring swords. Points are made by contacting the opponent’s target. Although sword-fighting has a long and bloody history, fen

cing is a modern, safe, sport that has been contested in every modern Olympic Games. 

There are three different styles: foil, epee and sabre. All use the same footwork and have similar underlying principles, but each has a different weapon and rules. Most competitive fencers choose to specialise in one weapon only. 

For more information on our sport, visit Wikipedia or Olympic Games websites or watch videos of the world’s top fencers at the FIE YouTube channel.

Adelaide Swords Club mainly focuses on foil and epee. We teach children to fence foil and beginner adults in epee.