Beginners
Interested to try fencing? We’re taking on beginners for 2024-25! Attend our free beginners’ taster sessions on the 11ᵗʰ, 15ᵗʰ, 18ᵗʰ and 22ⁿᵈ October 2024!
We provide one of the country’s most accessible beginner fencing programmes. Whether you’ve always wanted to try and never had the chance or only just noticed it in the Olympics, we’re excited to introduce you to and witness your progress in the sport!
We accommodate everyone with all levels of commitment from those wishing to casually poke new friends outside of lectures and supervisions, to those focused on excelling at something new and representing Cambridge at Novice Varsity. Regardless of your goals, we’re excited to support your start of your fencing journey.
Learn
Our beginners’ sessions are led by highly experienced and accomplished coaches, providing a fun and fulfilling learning experience. You’ll be able to participate in one foil and one epée session per week, learning the fundamentals of footwork, parrying and etiquette.
Befriend
Fencing provides an excellent opportunity to meet new people from across the university. The course annually attracts people from all colleges, undergraduate & postgraduate courses, research groups and the wider staff community.
Compete
Just because you’re a beginner doesn’t mean you’re not good enough to compete! Our beginners have participated in national novice matches and the Novice Varsity match against Oxf*rd (usually in the Easter term). Don’t worry, you’ll be facing opponents with similar experience!
Taster Sessions
You needn’t commit yourself to a full club membership immediately. We have free taster sessions for the first two weeks of Michaelmas term this October for you to attend. Beyond these sessions, a beginner membership will be required.
We hope to see you there!
Details
The beginner sessions are listed on the timetable found here.
The venue location can be found here.
The club will provide you with all the necessary kit for you to borrow during each session.
As a beginner you are, of course, welcome to our club socials and annual dinners in addition to beginner-only socials.
Outside of the taster sessions, a membership will be required—membership pricing is available here.
Ready to join?
Beginner FAQs
If your question is not posted here, don’t hesitate to contact any member of the committee here or DM us on our socials.
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No, you don't need to buy you own kit. The club has kit which you may borrow during each session. If you however take a liking to the sport, then you may wish to purchase your own. Don't hesitate to contact any member of the committee (here) for recommended fencing suppliers and discount codes.
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Training times and locations for the beginners sessions can be found here.
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No, you do not have to be affiliated with Cambridge University. Despite the vast majority of the club being Cambridge students, staff and alumni, we welcome all prospective fencers on our beginner programme (provided you are over 18), though this only runs during the University's terms—term dates are available here.
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Yes! We encourage you to do as much fencing as possible.
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Yes, there are several competitions throughout the year for beginners. BUCS competitions have suitable Beginner (less than 1 year experience) and Novice (1-3 years experience) categories. Novice varsity is usually held in Easter term. Look out for mailing list emails for these events!
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Yes, but eventually. Once you have attended a sufficient number of beginners sessions you can attend Sunday sessions towards the end of Lent term and throughout Easter term. This is to ensure you are at a safe level of competency.
You must wear breeches in these sessions (feel free to borrow some).
Open sessions consist of a group warm-up followed by sparring (free fencing) on electric pistes. Ask someone at the session to walk you through how to connect everything up (bodywires are available in the CUFC cupboards).
If you wish to pay for a coaching session, contact a member of the committee here.