Dear fencing friends and families, below is a basic explanation of how our Academy works.
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​​A Beginner Summer Camp or our Intro To Fencing Class is where you start. Intro to Fencing runs September through mid-June and is available most weekdays and Saturday. Click here to register. Beginner Summer Camps run mid-July through mid​-August. Click here to register.
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​All equipment is provided. No commitment.
After you complete an Intro to Fencing session or a Beginner Summer Camp please check in with Head Coach Ilya Lobanenkov. If you need more time to think about it, we offer ongoing Beginner-Intermediate sessions on Saturdays. You can also try any of our classes a few times before you make a decision.
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About half the club fences recreationally, once or twice a week with maybe two to three tournaments a year. Another half competes on the regional, national and international circuit with as many as two to three tournaments per month at the peak of the season. We have had multiple medals every year at these levels on three days a week of fencing and a dedicated day of physical fitness at our Athlete Prep class or with personal trainers.
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We ask that you take 4 to 12 private lessons before joining the Core Program. Private lessons are essential because fencing is a highly individualized sport of milliseconds and millimeters. Kids need to learn how to play and work one on one. New athletes develop good habits immediately, which benefits all partner activities, and introduce you to the sport’s personal style.
​Our coaching team works together with the fencer and family using 100+ collective years of experience at the National, International and Collegiate level.
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At his point most families make a choice as to how many days a week, how many classes and private lessons and how much travel they would like to invest in.
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The reason the Core program is on weekdays is because competitions run on weekends. We will guide you from the Intro to Tournaments competition at CFA all the way to the International circuit step by step.
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​​​We are reserving the weekends for tournaments, travel, R&R, birthday parties, demonstrations, and other fun activities.
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We provide equipment for the first two months but it is eventually required for the Core program. Click here to learn about purchasing equipment.
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We offer three tiers of commitment and you can always add private lessons or group classes A La Carte or build a custom family plan. Pricelist and Custom plan spreadsheet.​ ​
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CFA Membership grants gym access anytime we are open, supervised early drop off and late pick up, access to armory services, and covers scheduling and management fees. It also includes support for students outside class, around-the-clock group chat assistance, tournament guidance and logistics. We also do a lot of things behind-the-scenes for you like setting up our Olympic Champion guest visits and continuing education to stay on top of the game.
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Bronze: 1 private lesson, 1 group class + Membership. Perfect for a recreational fencer or a beginner to explore options.
Silver: 2 private lessons, 2 group classes + Membership. Our most popular program for a good pace of progress and preparing for competitions.
Gold: 3 private lessons, 3 group classes + Membership. Our "all you can eat" program for National and International competitors.
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We have three age and skill groups, and our pairing method during classes creates daily challenges that match each level, with steady progress. Scroll down for schedule.​
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​​​​​​Group A: Youth (ages 6-10, 0-3 years experience) training with small blades (size two). Attend 1-4 days weekly at CFA, participate in 3-12 local DMV tournaments, including RYC/SYC circuit, with chances to qualify for USA Nationals. Goals: develop good habits, build confidence, learn to compete with a healthy mindset, and perhaps aim for Nationals in July.
Group B: Youth (11+) to adults, 0-4 years experience. 1-4 days weekly at CFA. Compete in 3-20 tournaments, including Region 6. Goals are the same as Group A with the addition of earning a USA Fencing Rating, improve regional rankings and gain gain experience.
Group C: Youth 12+ to Adults, one year to forever. Two to Four days a week at CFA, 6 to 20+ tournaments a year, DMV, Region 6, potentially National and International travel. Goals are the same as Group B, with the addition of getting a USA Fencing "C" rating that qualifies a fencer for Division 1 and preparing for the National travel circuit. Shoot for the stars!
Athlete Prep/Footwork: A combination of an overall Sports Education that helps even the most unathletic kids become Athletes. Work out segment includes coordination, stamina, and strength training. Preparation segment includes video review, time management and tournament planning, Sports Psychology and equipment maintenance.
Parents' Class: New for Fall 2025! We have had a number of parents start fencing with their kids! This class is for adults that are relatively new to the sport and offers an easygoing way to try the sport with your kids! It's harder than it looks!
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Beginner/Intermediate Class: This class is an ongoing class for all ages where we provide an opportunity to warm up and play some active games, teach a few basics and fence others close to your own age. It runs on Saturdays 10-11:30AM and is the prefect opportunity to explore the sport further before you decide what to do.
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Some flexibility is always possible depending on fencers' and parents' comfort level.
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School and work come first! We absolutely understand the challenges that come with becoming a student-athlete or as an adult later in life. Fencing helps with time management, focus, discipline and overall life skills. We're here to help you become the best version of yourself. A lot of kids do better in school and socially when they start fencing. There is room at the club to work/do homework, have a late lunch/early dinner and a free WiFi connection. We also offer a car service to assist with logistics.
Pricelist and Custom plan spreadsheet.​
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New since Fall 2025: Missed group classes can be made up with any other age-appropriate class. One make-up private lesson per month per fencer can be scheduled by the family by the end of the following month. Unused private lessons are forfeited unless rescheduled with 48-hour notice. Missed lessons due to coach absence are always eligible for a makeup.
We offer a 2% family discount per fencer, up to 6%. An additional 2% discount for prepaying the entire season. There are no membership fees for parents, and no membership charges during the off-season. We can provide a personal copy of this spreadsheet to help estimate costs.
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Hope that helps and I'm available for an online meeting or a phone call in both English or Russian 10am to 1pm most weekdays.
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Head Coach and CFA Founder Ilya V. Lobanenkov​