A Sport for Everyone
Fencing is a sport for everyone, regardless of age barriers or body type.
A discipline that combines the benefits of physical exercise with the thrill of strategic sword fighting, fencing is often referred to as “physical chess” because it requires quick thinking, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills.
The benefits of fencing extend far beyond the fencing strip: it teaches resilience, pressure management, perseverance, good sportsmanship, and other valuable skills that can be applied in everyday life.
For children and young adults, fencing provides opportunities to make friends through group training and competitions, building a sense of community.
Choosing Your Weapon
Fencing is a unique sport that offers a multitude of benefits, and choosing your “weapon” comes down to personal preference.
We recommend starting with a brief review of the differences among épée, foil, and sabre, as described on this page.
We love and practice épée fencing because épée is the only of the three “weapons” in fencing where body type or athleticism doesn’t define success. Anyone can practice it, and with a love for the sport, hard work, and dedication, anyone can become an accomplished fencer.
Best age to start fencing
Opinions differ, and the ideal age depends on an individual’s goals and maturity, but many experts suggest that the sweet spot for starting competitive fencing is between 7 and 10 years old.
However, it is never too late to start, either for fitness, fun, or as a personal challenge.
At Olympia Fencing Center, starting fencing around age 8 is a proven path to future success when followed as recommended.
However, the age of eight is not set in stone as a starting age; if your child has a strong body frame and advanced thinking skills, we’re happy to offer them a free class as early as seven years old, but not earlier.
How Do I Start Fencing?
Start with a FREE TRIAL CLASS!
At Olympia, we are happy to introduce anyone to the sport of fencing with a free trial, in a real class setting.
Join other novice fencers in an age-appropriate class, with all fencing gear provided. Our classes are led by experienced instructors in a safe and fun environment.
For those who have already completed their introductory classes, see how to start competitive fencing here.
Book your free class by following this link.
The Path to Success
Olympia Fencing Center has produced a consistent number of Collegiate, National, World, and Olympic champions since its inception in 2012.
Based on our experience over the years, this is our recommended growth path for a smooth and steady progress, by starting age.
- Also, please read the differences between progress in fencing and other sports: Long-Term Athlete Development in Fencing.
- How to start competitive fencing: Novice’s Guide to Competitive Fencing
LEVEL ONE
Musketeer/Youth Learn to Fence
Beginner level, ages 7-9 and 10-12, respectively.
Two weekly sessions are recommended, along with participation in our in-club D’Artagnan competition for beginners and other low-level local events.
Fencers can stay in this program for a full season (August 1st to July 31st) or move on to our competitive program, Youth Invitational.
Fencing gear is available for rent; weapons are provided by the club.
Teens Learn to Fence
(ages 13-15)
Beginner level: two weekly classes are recommended, and participation in our in-club D’Artagnan competition for beginners. for Y14 fencers, and age-apropriate, low-level local events.
Fencers can stay in this program for a full season (August 1st to July 31st).
Fencing gear is available for rent, and the weapons are provided by the club.
LEVEL TWO
a) Youth Pre-competitive
(ages 9-12)
Returning students who completed a season in the Learn to Fence program, with no competitive aspirations.
Two weekly classes are recommended.
The fencers enjoy fencing with their classmates while continuing to build skills.
D’Artagnan for beginners is a great add-on to keep them engaged and a good source for learning the rules of the competition.
The club still provides the weapons, and rentals are still available.
– Students can stay here until they are promoted to either Youth Competitive or Teens Advanced programs (when they age out, at 13 years old).
b) Youth Invitational
(ages 9-12)
Fencers who start D’Artagnan and decide that they want to take a step further, to the outside competitions.
Owning your fencing gear and weapon(s), two 60-minute weekly classes, and at least a private lesson are required.
Cannot be combined with other days/memberships.
– Students can stay here until they are promoted to a competitive program, or Teens Advanced (when they age out, at 13 years old)
An annual club fee is in effect.
LEVEL THREE
Youth Competitive
(ages 9-12)
The fencers compete in sanctioned competitions and start earning National Rolling Points.
More about this program on this page.
Full fencing gear, at least two private lessons, and consistent participation in major national events are required.
– Students can stay in this program until they are promoted to the Elite or Teens Advanced Programs (ages 13+)
An annual club fee is in effect.
Teens Advanced
(ages 13-15)
Fencers are eligible to move into this program either after one year of completing the beginner program (depending on their age when they joined the club) or as soon as they turn 13.
Fencing gear can still be rented, but a weapon is required, and the annual club fee is in effect.
No private lessons or attending competitions are required.
– Students can stay in this program until they age out (16+), after which they may join the Adult Competitive program.
LEVEL FOUR
Elite Competitive
Our most advanced program, exclusively based on invitation.
The students in this program compete at the national and international levels.
Read details about this program on this page.
“How far can my child go in fencing?”
As far as they want to!
Children start fencing for different reasons, such as the desire to become their favorite Star Wars character or becasue their parents hope for more physical activity.
However, very few know from the beginning where this new path will take them and how far they will go.
The truth is, fencing is a unique sport that offers almost instant gratification and a fantastic opportunity to be part of a very inclusive community that includes athletes of all ages and levels.
There is no other sport where a 13-year-old can get the chance to face an Olympian!
Based on our 20 years of experience and raising generations of champions, these are TWO SIMPLE TIPS we can offer to start your fencing journey and try your chances in becoming an accomplished fencer.
1. Believe in your children
The most common opinion we hear from parents of novice fencers is “my child will NEVER be an Olympian…”
Just ask those parents of those Olympians, or the Olympians themselves.
- “I think the champions come from within. I think the kids who are going to be champions are the ones who are self-driven. They’re not going to be the ones whose parents are forcing them or wanting them to be the champions.”
(Cathy Zagunis, mother of the most decorated American fencer in the history of our sport, sabre fencer Mariel Zagunis). - “The main thing here is not to “include” your parental ambitions, or unfulfilled dreams in your parenting”.
(Elena Grishina, mother of Sergey Bida, three-time European épée team champion, and 2021 Olympic épée team silver medalist). - “There are 10,500 Olympians in London. There are almost double that number of parents who have stood behind their children, hands outstretched not to push them but to catch them if they fell.
The scary thing about raising a kid,” Fiona Imboden says, “is asking yourself the question, Is it my goal or my kid’s goal?”
(Fiona Imboden, mother of three-time Olympian, Race Imboden) - “One of the secrets to being a good fencer in general is really similar to any sport – a passion and commitment to your sport and your goals within the sport. For me, going in to train is something I enjoy, and I have fun every time I am at practice, no matter how tired I am. This allows me the ability to improve, because it isn’t a task or chore to me”.
(Gerek Meinhardt, a five-time Olympian and a two-time team Olympic bronze medalist).
2. Be patient
Many talented children we’ve seen over the years, from their very first class, expected instant gratification.
Fencing is unlike other sports where being fast, strong, and athletic paves one’s path to success; fencing takes time to form good habits, learn the skills progressively, and apply strategic thinking on the strip, while facing different fencing styles.
While starting young is a plus in fencing, the younger the age, the longer the wait. National points in fencing don’t count until almost entering the Cadet age group (15+), but the journey to becoming an accomplished fencer starts sooner.
Final notes
- Specializing early in a sport does not always guarantee elite success.
As in most sports, factors such as commitment, consistency, intensity, and the quality of training sessions, along with coaching and peer support, will ultimately determine the level of success. - Ultimately, age progression in sports should be individualized, taking into account the athlete’s specific needs, goals, and abilities, as well as factors such as psychosocial development and environmental influences.
Explore more helpful information about the recommended growth path for beginner fencers in our club, and details about our intramural D’Artagnan Series for Novice Fencers, the low-pressure competition where all our champions started their competitive journey.
Contact us here if you have any questions or to inquire about our classes.
Olympia Fencing Center offers fencing classes for children ages 8 and older, focusing on both competitive and recreational fencing.
Our club shelters the largest teen (ages 13-15) and adult (ages 16+) classes in the Northeast, and has produced the most successful generations of fencers since its inception in 2012.
Whether your goals are to fence for fun, exercise, or become a fencing champion, Olympia Fencing is the place to be.
This pictorial describes our Recommended Growth Path for Fencers, supporting steady progress and setting the tone for a successful future.
