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 January course is underway, and we are already taking bookings for Easter.  If you would like to enrol, simply email or phone us (phone number under Contact Us page).

There are a total of 30 spaces on each beginners course.  Each course that we run is usually fully booked, with many 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 pay us online and send us a completed Membership Form.  Read on for more details.

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 Epée 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, putting you in good stead for joining the club as a full member..

When are the lessons? - Our beginner courses run on Monday evenings from 19:30 to 21:00.

How much will it cost me? - The course fee is £60; 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.

How can I pay? - if you have online banking then you can pay that way.  The sort code you need is 30-91-11, and the account number is 02493258.  As your payment reference please put "BEGINNER (your name)".  Once you've paid online, please inform us via e-mail.
You can also pay online via with most debit/credit cards via PayPal.  Simply click the button below and follow the instructions; again, please inform us once you have done so.

 

What else do I need to enrol? - Contact us via e-mail,  To reserve your place you need to pay (£60 per person) and send us a completed Membership 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 beginners not to buy any of their own kit whilst doing the course.  We provide you with all the equipment you need for the 8 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.  Once the course is over, we have a club discount with a number of equipment suppliers, and also have a page on this website for second-hand kit.

What will the course be like, what will I learn? - Download the course notes, and find out for yourself!  We advise all prospective beginners to come along beforehand and see the current course in action.
Click here for the Beginner Course Notes.
Click here for the Intermediate Course Notes.

What happens after I finish the beginner course? - The beginner course is 8 weeks long; toward the end you will be invited to join the intermediate course - this is 5 weeks long and £40 per person.  Anyone who wants to continue fencing after the courses have finished will be invited to join RFC as a full member where you'll be able to fence other members, as well as take individual lessons.  Further details about what to do, how to join, and where to get kit are all in our Membership Pack, handed out at the end of each course.

How do I pay for the intermediate course? - The fee of £40 per person, like with the beginner course, can be paid online, via PayPal (link below), by cash, or by cheque.

 

 

How many beginner courses do you run? - We run three beginner courses each year.  They start in January, Easter, and September and we receive bookings throughout the year so, if you've just missed out on one course, then don't worry as another one will be starting soon.

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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	£110	£11.00	Adults	Unclear	Click
Aldershot	n/a	£255/wk	£36.42/day	12+	Unclear	Click
Bath Sword (Juniors)	6	£45.00	£7.50	8+	Included	Click
Bath Sword (Adults)	6	£50.00	£8.33	16+	Included	Click
Blades	4	£85.00	£21.25	16+	Unclear	Click
Bristol	6	£60.00	£10.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Central London	6	£99.00	£16.50	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Egham (Juniors)	5	£35.00	£7.00	10+	Unclear	Click
Egham	10	£95.00	£9.50	16+	Unclear	Click
Epsom (Juniors)	10	£100.00	£10.00	10+	Unclear	Click
Epsom (Adults)	5	£50.00	£10.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Guildford	10	£60.00	£6.00	9+	Unclear	Click
Haverstock	5	£75.00	£15.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Horsham	No details	No details	No details	11+	Included	Click
Kingston (Juniors)	10	£60.00	£6.00	8+	Unclear	Click
Kingston (Adults)	10	£80.00	£8.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
London Fencing Club	6	£99.00	£16.50	17+	Unclear	Click
London Thames	8	£185.00	£23.13	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Newbury	8	£85.00	£10.63	8+	Unclear	Click
One Two Six	5	£100.00	£20.00	13+	Unclear	Click
Oxford	8	£85.00	£10.63	8+	Unclear	Click
Salisbury (Juniors)	10	£50.00	£5.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Salisbury	10	£60.00	£6.00	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Salle Paul	6	£100.00	£16.67	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Saxon	10	£100.00	£10.00	14+	Included	Click
Swindon	6	£75.00	£12.50	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Wellesbourne Sword	8	£85.00	£10.63	13+	Unclear	Click
Wimbledon (Juniors)	Unclear	£55.00	-	Unclear	Unclear	Click
Wimbledon (Adults)	Unclear	£60.00	-	Unclear	Unclear	Click

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