Open Hours

Monday: 5pm – 8:30 pm

Tuesday: 6pm – 10 pm

Wednesday: 6pm – 10 pm

Thursday:6pm – 10 pm

Friday: 5pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday: 2 pm – 6 pm

Class and Bouting Schedule

We are now accepting new students!

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All PVFA participants (Youth and Adult) must be members of USA Fencing due to insurance requirements. Join/renew here before your first class or lesson. You can join online or print out and mail in their application. There is a non-competitive membership level for $5. Select "Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy" as your club and "Connecticut" as your Division. Please bring proof of membership (printout of receipt or membership card) to your first class or lesson.

Are you new to fencing and are looking for an introductory class?

PVFA offers three different classes for people who are new to fencing. Our Intro level classes are the Introductory Fencing, Historical Fencing, Adult Only Fencing, and Youth Basics classes which are listed in Blue text below. Equipment is provided for these introductory classes. Start any week! (Space permitting.) New students should consider purchasing a copy of A Basic Foil Companion either online or at PVFA if it is available.

Gift Certificates are available for the Intro, Youth, Historial, and Adult courses.

Mondays:

Epee bouting - 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Additional bouting time for the epee fencers while Coach Sise teaches the Intro class.

Introductory Fencing - 8 sessions for $125 with Paul Sise – Ages 11 through adult. Please arrive between 6:30 and 6:45 pm for the Intro class which is from 7 to 8:15 pm. Basic fencing gear is provided. This class is rolling enrollment so start any week. Participate in footwork practice and group drills, as well as learn fencing vocabulary and tactics. Be sure to bring sweatpants, t-shirt, water bottle, and sneakers. Boys and men should also bring a protective cup. Classes are interchangeable with other "8 session" classes. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to join the club as a regular member for $100 per month.We suggest the purchase of a chestplate for girls and women for this class.

Historical Fencing- 8 sessions for $125 with Dr. Mondschein - Ages 18+ only. Class is from 5:30 pm till 7pm. Learn to use western martial arts weapons like the baton, longsword, and rapier from Ken Mondschein, author of several historical swordsmanship books and Ph.D. in Medieval History. . This class is available to beginners as well as experienced fencers. Basic fencing gear is provided. Be sure to bring sweatpants, t-shirt, water bottle, and sneakers. Men should bring their own protective athletic cup. Women should purchase their own chestplates. Students should also purchase a gorget and armored gloves which can be found here. (Lacrosse or hockey gloves would also work.) This class is rolling enrollment so start any week. Classes are interchangeable with other "8 session" classes. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to join the club as a regular member for $100 per month.

Tuesdays:

Saber with RJ Ferullo - 6:30 to 8 pm. Learn the techniques and tactics of modern competitive saber. Electrical fencing equipment recommended. Prerequesite: Completion of the Intro course or consent of instructor.

Wednesdays:

Epee Class with Paul Sise – 6:30 to 8:00 pm, Electric epee and body cord required. Prerequisite – Consent of instructor. Teens and adults only. Epee fencers should expect to stay after class for open bouting.

Thursdays:

Foil Class with Paul Sise – 6:30 to 8 pm, Electric foil, body cord, and lame suggested. Fencers should expect to stay after class for open bouting.

Fridays:

Open Fencing - 5:00 to 6:30pm. Foil, epee, and saber. Drop in and fence or take a lesson before the Adult class starts.

Adults Only Fencing- 8 sessions for $125 with Dr. Ken Mondschein - Please arrive by 6:15 pm. Class is from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Ages 18+ only. This non-competitive class is available to beginners as well as experienced adult fencers. Instruction will focus on foil and epee. Basic fencing gear is provided. Be sure to bring sweatpants, t-shirt, water bottle, and sneakers. Men should bring their own protective athletic cup. Women should purchase their own chestplates. This class is rolling enrollment so start any week. Classes are interchangeable with other "8 session" classes. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to join the club as a regular member for $100 per month.

Saturdays:

Youth Fencing Basics -12 weeks for $150 with Kelly Fitzroy. Ages 7 - 10. Class is from 2:15 pm till 3:30 pm. Children must be able to tell left from right, be able to stand on one foot for 10 seconds, and be able to skip in order to enroll in this class. The club opens at 2 pm. Please arrive between 2 and 2:15 pm. Have fun learning the basics of swordplay with safety and fun in mind. This class will focus on learning how to move, how to attack and defend, and simple strategy.  Great for the swashbuckler to be! Expect a good balance between education, recreation, and exercise. Requirements- sweatpants and sneakers. Boys should also wear a protective cup. We suggest the purchase of a plastic chestplate for both boys and girls for this class. Size XS works well for the 7 and 8 year olds, and size S works well for most children ages 9 and 10. More experienced children will be given the opportunity to do electric fencing.

Intermediate Foil with Paul Sise-3:45 to 4:45 pm. A popular class with fencers of all three weapons and skill levels; this class is ideal for those who need additional time and practice before moving to a more competitive foil class. Students finishing the 8 week Intro class should consider this class if they wish to continue with foil.

If you are interested in taking a group class please contact us or simply come to the club at the start of class time.

In this photo:PVFA fencer Nathan Quigley scores a touch in a foil competition.