GFC Beginners Courses
Prices Held for 2011/12 Season!
Fencing is a unique and increasingly popular activity, enjoyed by people of all ages. Founded in 1949, Guildford Fencing Club is one of the oldest fencing clubs in England. We are traditionally a three weapon club - épée, foil and sabre. We follow the school year from September to July and our year is divided into three terms with our AGM being held in the middle of July.
Thinking of giving
fencing a try? As a Club, we are keen to
encourage new people to try out the sport of fencing and
to encourage people back to the sport. Our beginners
courses are held termly commencing in September, January
and May. No previous experience is required and the
equipment is provided by the Club.
The club runs two types of course, described on this page:
- a course suitable for older teens and adults (click here), and
- a foil course intended for younger fencers (click here)
The enrolment forms for the January Courses are now available, please see links below.
Adult and Teenager
Course
We have listened to the feedback from our beginners and
from January, 2012 our Beginners Course is changing.
We recognise that people may find it difficult to
commit to a six week Course, so our new Course
offers:
- a Taster Session - cost £10. Beginners now
only need to commit to attending this
Course. This wil be held on the 20th January
and you may download an entry form here. (I
apologise for the error that originally stated that the
Course would be held on Friday, 22nd January).
- Beginners's Membership Course, which offers:
- The opportunity to continue fencing at Guildford until 30th March, 2012.
- a 30 minute warm up session, starting from 8 p.m.
- group and individual lessons from 8.30 (there is no
additional charge for individual lessons)
- opportunity to try all three weapons (epee, foil and sabre)
The Course is for adults and teenagers (13 and over) and
is itemised as follows:
- Taster Session - £10
- Mandatory Breeches - £41
- Membership for Spring Term - £70
- Total cost - £121
It is held on Friday evenings from 8:00 PM.
Interested? Then, simply, fill in an entry
form for the Beginners Course and post it - click here 
for
a
Word
version (.docx) or here
for an Acrobat (.pdf)
version.
What you will need to provide:
- T-shirt
- Training shoes - these must be clean, indoor and non-marking
- Long socks, such as football socks (proper fencing socks can be purchased at the Club)
- A water bottle, towel and spare t-shirt is recommended.
The Club will loan the following (free of charge):
- fencing jacket
- plastron (a one-armed protective under-jacket)
- mask
- glove
- breast protector (for ladies only)
- lightweight weapon for class practice
- electric weapon and wire for practice with the Club's scoring equipment
Duke of EdinburghStudents wishing to take fencing as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Challenge are welcome. The Challenge usually takes two terms to complete. Please indicate on your application form that you are taking your Duke of Edinburgh award. |
Foil 6 week Beginners Course for 9 to 12 year olds
The Course costs £81 (price held). It is held on Friday evenings from 6:30 to 7:30 PM - the next course will start on Friday, 13th January, 2012 .
Click here for a Word version (.doc)
or here
for an Acrobat (.pdf)
version.
No previous experience is required, and equipment is provided by the Club.
You will need:
- a T-shirt
- clean, indoor non-marking training shoes
- socks
- loose trousers or track suit bottoms (not jeans, which are too tight; nor low-cut trousers, which leave a gap between the jacket and the trousers where a foil might enter)
- a water bottle, towel and spare t-shirt is recommended.
If you wish, you may take a test as part of the Beginners Course - successful fencers will receive a Certificate and Badge (at current costs)
The Club will loan the following (free of charge):
- fencing jacket
- plastron (a one-armed protective under-jacket)
- mask
- glove
- breast protector (for girls only)
- lightweight foil for class practice
- electric foil, wire and jacket for practice with the Club's scoring equipment
Breeches are not necessary for this Beginners Course,
although you should wear them if you have a pair.
Mini-MusketeersWe welcome students from Mini-Musketeers. We recommend they join our Beginners Course to learn the different style and speed possible when using a metal foil. However, we recognise that some students may feel they have already reached an adequate standard to join our Junior Club without first training as a beginner. Therefore students joining the Club from Mini-Musketeers may request an Assessment Session by one of our Coaches. If they are of a suitable standard they may receive an Invitation to join the Junior Club. This will be decided by the Coach. For more information about Mini Musketeers - not associated with GFC - please click here. |