March Fencing Classes

We will be offering Beginning and Intermediate Classes in March 2010. These classes are for children ages 9 to 13 years old. Because we have limited days in March, both classes will meet for only six sessions (dates are below). All class sessions will be held at the Vienna Adventist Academy, in Vienna.


Beginning class will meet from 7.00 pm to 7.45 pm on March 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 23.


Intermediate class will meet from 8.00 pm to 8.45 pm on March 4, 9, 11, 16, 18, and 23.


Note that no classes will be held on March 2nd,  25th,   or 30th.


The cost for either class will be $108.00 for the complete session. Payment is due the first day of class. The class size for each class is limited to 10.

All equipment will be provided for each class (masks, jackets, gloves and foils). Any personal equipment supplied by a student for use in the class must be checked by a coach before being used in class. Students should wear clothing appropriate for a physical workout and must include long sweat pants (no shorts) and athletic or tennis shoes.

Registration for these classes is currently open. Please register by completing the registration form and waiver forms, and returning them to Dominion Fencing, 10007 Oakton Terrace Road, Oakton, VA 22124 together with a check for the class fee. Please indicate on the form which class session you are signing up for and make sure that your email address is legible. You will receive an email or phone confirmation of your registration. If you are a returning student, there is no need to fill out an additional registration form, but we would appreciate an email, and prepayment.

If you need additional information on these classes, please contact coach for more information.

Class Policies:

Class members are considered members of Dominion Fencing for the calendar period that they are enrolled in class. As members, they have the full rights and responsibilities of any Dominion Fencing club member. Class members are under no obligation to continue membership with Dominion Fencing once class has ended, but may continue their membership upon the payment of monthly dues, or declaring Dominion Fencing as their competition club when joining the USFA.

Attendance at the first class completes any written or implied agreement between Dominion Fencing and the student. Refunds for unattended classes will be considered only in cases of extreme hardship. If a class session is canceled for any reason, a pro-rated refund will be given to all students for the remainder of any classes not held. There will be no refunds for closure due to inclement weather, however, makeup classes or lessons will be offered if our schedule permits.

If you are interested in future classes with Dominion Fencing, please send an email to to be put on the mailing list, or contact us by phone or mail.

Dominion’s age limits for children in fencing. . .

Dominion sets a minimum age of 9 years old for our children’s classes. We have set this limit after discussion among the coaches at Dominion, and with members of the National Coaching staff. Fencing is a sport with many complex overtones, and demands a high level of attention and hand-to-eye coordination. We feel that for a child to get the best use of class time, that 9 years old is the age at which the child has the physical maturity to handle the special demands of fencing, as well as the emotional and mental maturity to understand the complexity of the sport. Since there is a long list of Olympians (from the United States and other countries) who have started fencing at this “late” age, we feel that a child that begins fencing at 9, 10, 11, or even 12 can still have great success in the sport.

Many parents express an interest in their children starting much younger than our current age limit (we’ve had requests from parents for children as young as 3 or 4 years old). We feel that at young ages, children will benefit much more from unstructured play, team sports that encourage and enhance simple closed motor skills (running, catching, throwing), and interaction with their peers. Sports such as running, swimming, tumbling/gymnastics, dance, and ball sports are ideal while a child is still very young.

If your three year old desperately wants to use a sword, we would recommend the purchase of foam swords (there are many on the market -- here is one example) and engaging in play with the child. Make up your own rules and your own games and play them as the child shows interest. It will benefit the child and it will benefit YOU. If, in later years, the child still has a love of fencing, their activity level and sense of play will greatly enhance their training in the sport. It could be that that these games awaken your own inner Pirate! We look forward to seeing both you and your child in class.

Adult Classes. . .

Because we rent space, and have very limited time in the evenings, Dominion does not regularly offer adult classes. Adult fencing instruction is available on a one-on-one basis in foil, epee, or saber, and by appointment only. Please contact us (using the above email address) for more information.