Get Started
Everything you need to know about fencing at Northwest Fencing Center for the first time
Want to try fencing?
Get started at NWFC! Whether you have no fencing experience at all or have been competing for years, we welcome all athletes to enjoy the sport.
Northwest Fencing Center offers Intro Sessions to adults and teens above 13 years old, and for children 7-12. Please read below to see which Intro Session is right for you.
Intro Sessions:
Required for all fencers who have not attended an Advanced Camp or Advanced Class at NWFC
$40 – 4 weeks long, 1 class per week
*A $40 Credit is applied to the Annual NWFC Membership after the fencer completes the Intro Sessions and enrolls in a fencing class. Membership is not required to enroll in Intro Sessions but is mandatory to enroll in classes after the 4-week period.
Kids’ Intro Sessions:
Ages 7 – 12
Kids’ Intro Sessions are separated by age. To view the Session options for your fencer’s age group, select the Intro Schedule from the dropdown below.
Mini, Born 2012-2015
This 4-week program is designed for students who have never fenced before. Membership is not required.
To register for a class, add one Session from the list below to your cart in the Training Scheduler and checkout. Registration is required.
WINTER 2022-2023 SCHEDULE:
(Choose One)
Session 1 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Jan 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th
Session 2 (Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Jan 18th, 25th, Feb 1st, & 8th
Session 3 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Feb 11th, 18th, 25th, & Mar 4th
Session 4 (Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Feb 15th, 22nd, Mar 1st, & 8th
Session 5 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Mar 11th, 18th, 25th, & Apr 8th
SPRING 2023 SCHEDULE:
(Choose One)
Session 1 (Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Mar 15, 22, 29, Apr 5
Session 2 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Apr 8, 15, 22, 29
Session 3 (Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Apr 12, 19, 26, May 3
Session 4 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): May 6, 13, 20, 27
Session 5 (Wednesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): May 10, 17, 24, 31
Session 6 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): June 3, 10, 17, 24
Tuition Prices:
$40 – 4-week program. This tuition will be credited to your account when a 6-month or 12-month membership is purchased.
Youth, Born 2010-2011
This 4-week program is designed for students who have never fenced before. Membership is not required.
To register for a class, add one Session from the list below to your cart in the Training Scheduler and checkout. Registration is required.
WINTER 2022-2023 SCHEDULE:
(Choose One)
Session 1 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Jan 7th, 14th, 21st, & 28th
Session 2 (Tuesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Jan 17th, 24th, 31st, & Feb 7th
Session 3 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Feb 11th, 18th, 25th, & Mar 4th
Session 4 (Tuesday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Feb 14th, 21st, 28th, & Mar 7th
Session 5 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Mar 11th, 18th, 25th, & Apr 1st
SPRING 2022-2023 SCHEDULE:
(Choose One)
Session 1 (Tuesday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Mar 14, 21, 28, Apr 4
Session 2 (Saturday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): Apr 8, 15, 22, 29
Session 3 (Tuesday 8:45 to 9:30 am): Apr 11, 18, 25, May 2
Session 4 (Saturday 4:45 to 5:30 pm): May 6, 13, 20, 27
Session 5 (Tuesday 8:45 to 9:30 am): May 9, 16, 23, 30
Session 5 (Saturday 8:45 to 9:30 am): June 3, 10, 17, 24
Tuition Prices:
$40 – 4-week program. This tuition will be credited to your account when a 6-month or 12-month membership is purchased.
Adult & Teen Intro Sessions:
Ages 13 +
It’s never too late to start fencing! NWFC offers an Adult/Teen Epee Class to athletes who have completed an Intro Session. To register for a session, please see the schedule below. Then, add the corresponding Session to your cart in the Training Scheduler and pay to register.
Intro to Fencing; Epee for Beginners
This program is designed for students who have never fenced before. Membership is not required to start.
In the sessions, students will learn the basic form and movements, basic offensive and defensive techniques, and common terminology of fencing.
WINTER 2022-2023 SCHEDULE:
Session 1 (Friday 7-8 pm): Jan 6, 13, 20, & 27
Session 2 (Friday 7-8 pm): Feb 10, 17, 24, & Mar 3
Session 3 (Friday 7-8 pm): Mar 10, 17, 24, & 31
SPRING 2023 SCHEDULE:
Session 1 (Friday 7-8 pm): Apr 7, 14, 21, 28
Session 2 (Friday 7-8 pm): May 5, 12, 19, 26
Session 3 (Friday 7-8 pm): Jun 2, 9, 16, 23
Tuition Cost:
$40 – 4-week program. This tuition will be credited to your account when a 6-month or 12-month membership is purchased.
*Fencers can only take this course once.
Already have fencing experience?
If you have attended an advanced training program at another facility we invite you to reach out to the Front Desk for an individual assessment.
Here are your steps to get started at NWFC:
- Come visit us! If you have never been to NWFC we recommend you come check us out during class hours to see the place in action.
- Become a NWFC Member: To register for any class at NWFC you must be a member. (*Excludes the 4-week intro courses above.)
- Register for Classes: Once you are a Member you can register for Beginner Classes, Private Lessons, and more.
Open Bouting
Open Bouting is open to the public! To join, come, check in at the front desk, and start fencing! Previous fencing experience is required.
New Fencer Checklist:
1. Pick one Intro Session according to your age level and schedule.
2. Add the Intro Session you’ve selected to your cart in the Training Scheduler, then check out to register.
3. Complete the 4-Week Intro Session.
4. Purchase an NWFC Membership in the Training Scheduler.
5. Purchase a Class.
6. Attend the class & fence!
New Fencer FAQs:
Who has to take an Intro Session at NWFC?
Everyone who has not previously taken an Advanced Camp or Advanced Class at NWFC must complete the Intro Session before joining a Class.
Do I need gear?
All fencing and protective gear are provided for Intro Classes.
Borrowed equipment costs are covered when a Membership is purchased. You do not have to purchase equipment to register for an Intro Session or beginner Classes.
What do I bring?
All fencing and protective gear are provided for Intro Classes.
Bring water, and wear clean shoes and fencing-friendly athletic clothes. Baggy, oversized, and loosely fitting clothes are not recommended.
Can I come watch before I register for an Intro Session?
Yes! New fencers are welcome to come and see the sport live and in action. If you do drop in to watch, we suggest coming to watch the class you are considering registering for. See the NWFC Complete Schedule for more details.
How do I register for an Intro Session?
Open the Training Scheduler.
Select “Create a New Account,” and complete the registration.
An email is sent to let you know that your account has been approved by the Front Desk.
Then, open the Training Scheduler and add the “Intro Session” to your cart. Checkout to complete your purchase, then call the front desk to let us know what session you’ll be attending to complete your registration.
Front Desk: 503-277-2237
Ready to start fencing?
Register for an intro class! Use the Training Scheduler below to add the Intro Class to your cart, then checkout. Complete the registration questions, then you’re ready to start fencing at NWFC!