Our first classes  - held back in September 2003 - were a great success, and RFC is still receiving strong interest from people new to the sport.  Bookings are taken on a continual basis all year round.

Students learn basic foot and bladework techniques, and by the end of the course they're able to take the Grade 1 certificate, join the Club, and practise their new skills against other members.  Attendance rates are extremely high, with well over 90% of those signed up on our courses going on to pass their Grade 1.

LATEST BEGINNERS CLASS INFORMATION

Our Easter course is already underway, and we've started taking bookings for the next one due to start in September - read below to find out how to enrol...

There are a total of 30 spaces on each beginners course.  Each course that we run is usually fully booked, with most of our past graduates already practising amongst our senior members.  Bookings are taken on a continuous basis throughout the year; if you missed out on a place on our current course, don't despair - to reserve your place on the next course, just send us a completed Joining Form and cheque.  You can also e-mail us by clicking here.

Please scroll down the page for more information.  You can also read our Introduction to Beginners and the Course Overview.

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COURSE DETAILS

Once you've signed up for a beginners class, we'll invite you to attend a Taster Session, where you can have a go at fencing, learn the basic safety information, foot and bladework skills.  If you decide to continue with the course, which we hope you will, you can continue with the remaining classes.  Each week's session is planned in advance and follows a fixed content - giving you a good understanding of the sport.  At the end of the course all students take their Grade 1 Foil Assessment (the cost of which is included in the course fee). Immediately after this course has finished, we run a 5-week epee course giving more advanced techniques and tactics, with a Grade 3 Assessment at the end giving you another certificate and badge to sew onto your PJ's.

What time? - Our beginner courses run on Monday evenings from 19:30 to 21:00.

How much will it cost me? - To enrol on the first course, all you need to do is give us a cheque (made payable to 'Reading Fencing Club') for £60, or you can also pay online.  This is a flat-rate fee, which covers all the tuition of your classes, the equipment that you use, and also helps us to cover for the cost of any equipment that may become damaged or broken. The cost of the second course is £40, which you can pay for at any time between when you decide to start with us, and the end of your first 8 weeks

What else do I need to enrol? - Contact us via e-mail,  To reserve your place on a course you need to send us a cheque (£75) and a completed Joining Form.

Where do I send my stuff to? - Click here.

What do I need to get started? - Not a great deal.  In fact, we advise all beginners not to buy any of their own kit whilst doing the course.  We provide you with all the equipment you need for the 10 weeks, all you need to do is wear loose-fitting (not denim) trousers, a t-shirt, and non-marking trainers. It's also a good idea to bring a drink with you (not fizzy, or alcomoholic!), as well as a change of clothes to each session.

What will the course be like, what will I learn? - Click here to have a look at our course overview.

What happens after I finish the course? - Anyone who wants to continue fencing after the course has finished will be invited to join RFC as a full member where you'll be able to fence other members, take individual lessons, and come along to footwork and group lessons on our Friday session.  Further details about what to do, how to join, and where to get kit are all in our Welcome Pack, handed out at the end of each course.

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If you're new to the sport you'll no doubt be shopping around to look for the best available course.  Well, we're confident it's ours, and have even done your homework for you... have a look below!

Club Name	No. Lessons	Total Cost (Adult)	£/Lesson	Ages	Grade 1	Website
READING	8	£60.00	£7.50	9+	Included	Ummm...
Abingdon	10	£100	£10.00	8+	Unclear	Click
Aldershot	n/a	£225/wk	£32.14/day	10+	Unclear	Click
Bath Sword	6	£35.00	£5.83	8+	Included	Click
Blades	4	£75.00	£18.75	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Bristol	6	£50.00	£8.33	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Egham	10	£75.00	£7.50	9+	Unclear	Click
Guildford	10	£60.00	£6.00	9+	Unclear	Click
Haverstock	6	£95.00	£15.83	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Horsham	No details	No details	No details	11+	Included	Click
Kingston	10	£75.00	£7.50	8+	Unclear	Click
London Fencing Club	6	£99.00	£16.50	16+	Unclear	Click
London Thames	6	£136.00	£22.67	9+	Unclear	Click
Newbury	8	£85.00	£10.63	8+	Unclear	Click
One Two Six	5	£100.00	£20.00	12+	Unclear	Click
Oxford	8	£75.00	£9.38	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Redhill & Reigate	8	£85.00	£10/63	9+	Unclear	Click
Salisbury	10	£30.00	£3.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Salle Paul	6	£99.00	£16.50	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Saxon	10	£90.00	£9.50	14+	Included	Click
Swash & Buckle	6	£99.00	£16.50	18+	Unclear	Click
Swindon	6	£75.00	£12.50	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Wellesbourne Sword	8	£85.00	£10.63	13+	Unclear	Click
Wimbledon	8	£80.00	£10.00	10+	Unclear	Click

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