Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy

 

Open Hours

 

Monday: 6:30pm – 8:30 pm

Tuesday: 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 6pm – 10 pm

Wednesday: 6pm – 10 pm

Thursday: 9:30 am – 11:30 am and 6pm – 10 pm

Friday: 5pm – 8:30 pm

Saturday: 2 pm – 6 pm

 

Class and Bouting Schedule

 

We are now accepting new students!

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, 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.

Gift Certificates are available for the Intro, Youth, 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 weeks 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 8:30 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. After completing 8 weeks of Friday sessions, students will be asked to become full members of the club, thus enabling them to attend during all other open hours for fencing as well as individual lessons in foil, epee, and saber. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 Friday sessions. We suggest the purchase of a chestplate for girls and women for this class.

Tuesdays:

** New Class**Adults Only Morning Fencing- 8 sessions for $125 with Paul Sise -Class is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Please arrive by 9:45 AM. 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 the Thursday Morning and Friday evening sessions. Students may come to one, two, or three Adult Only classes a week and will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to re-enroll every 8 classes for $125 or join the club as a regular member for $100 per month. This class will only be offered during the school year and will end June 14th. It will not be held during public school Feb vacation (Feb 21 and 23), March 6th, or April Vacation (April 17 and 19).

Saber 1 with RJ Ferullo - 6:30 to 7:30 pm Practice or electric saber required. Saber 1 is for students new to saber and those wishing to improve technique.

Saber 2 with RJ Ferullo7:30 to 8:30 pm.Saber 2 is for more experienced competitive saber fencers and focusses on tactics. Electrical fencing equipment recommended.

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:

** New Class**Adults Only Morning Fencing- 8 sessions for $125 with Paul Sise -Class is from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Please arrive by 9:45 AM. 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 the Tuesday Morning and Friday evening sessions. Students may attend one, two, or all three Adult Only classes each week and will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to re-enroll every 8 classes for $125 or join the club as a regular member for $100 per month. This class will only be offered during the school year and will end June 14th. It will not be held during public school Feb vacation (Feb 21 and 23), March 6th, or April Vacation (April 17 and 19).

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 Intro 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 the Tuesday morning and Thursday morning sessions and students may attend one, two, or all three Adult Only classes each week. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 Adult Only sessions. Students wishing to continue their studies will be asked to re-enroll every 8 classes for $125 or join the club as a regular member for $100 per month.

Saturdays:

Coming in early spring:Morning Introductory Fencing - 8 weeks for $125 with Paul Sise – Ages 11 through adult. Please arrive between 9:30 and 10:00 am for the Intro class which is from 10 am till 11:30 am. 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. After completing 8 weeks of Friday sessions, students will be asked to become full members of the club, thus enabling them to attend during all other open hours for fencing as well as individual lessons in foil, epee, and saber. Students will have a maximum of 10 weeks to complete their 8 Friday sessions. We suggest the purchase of a chestplate for girls and women for this class.

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.