Beginners Courses & Coaching
Wellesbourne runs one hour Taster Sessions (a brief introduction for those wanting to find out what fencing is about) and for those
that have decided to learn the sport we have 6 to 8 week group Beginners' Courses. Currently these are on Thursdays 8 - 10pm in the Sports Hall
at Wycombe Sports Centre located on the A404 to High Wycombe near Junction 4 of the M40 (Handy Cross roundabout). See
map.
For more experienced fencers we also offer courses on an ad-hoc basis to improve skills or learn other weapons. However as individual
lessons are included within the membership fee we would recommend membership of the Club as the best route to achieving this.
Beginners
If you are interested in starting fencing please book on a course by clicking on the link below. Courses run several times during the
year, usually starting in January, April & September and are led by British Fencing Association qualified coaches. You will be taught Foil (to
Grade 1 standard) which is the is the normal way to commence fencing.
A typical Beginners' evening consists of a 15 minute warm up and stretching session followed by a 90 minute group lesson then a
15 minute warm down with one of the coaches. Courses are 6 sessions.
Click on the link below to see the dates and/or register for the next course.
Booking Process
In order to book a Taster or the next Course you need to follow the procedure below:- Register your interest using our online registration form by clicking here. We will provisionally reserve you a place and contact you about 2 weeks before the course.
- Download further details and an application form by clicking here
- Download and complete this Indemnity Form.
- Send the completed forms with a cheque for the course fee (£75 for Beginners' Courses / £10 for a Taster Session, payable to Wellesbourne Sword Club) to the address on the forms. For Beginners' Courses we normally require forms & payment 7 days before the start of the course.
- Go to www.britishfencing.com/membership to apply for Social Membership. This is
required for Beginners' Courses and provides you with one year's personal insurance cover for fencing at the Club at a cost
of £10.
Please contact Membership (via e-mail) if you have any further queries.
Important: Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Refunds are not normally available
within 14 days of the start of the course. Therefore if you drop out after the start of the course, for any reason, you are unlikely to get a
refund. This is due to the high demand for the courses as you would be denying somebody else a place on the course.
Information for the Sessions...
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As with most sports, you need to be moderately fit and agile in order to maximise your enjoyment and reduce the risk of injury. Warming up, fencing oriented exercises & hydration are covered during the course. You can start fencing at any age, but the minimum age for courses at Wellesbourne is 13. If you are younger you could try phoning the Wycombe Sports Centre who run childrens' classes on Mondays.
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All necessary equipment is provided, in the most common sizes, for the courses but it is impossible to guarantee everybody kit that fits comfortably. (Protective gear is not actually required in Session 1 (or Taster Sessions) so in some circumstances we may be able to buy additional kit before Session 2.) Exceptionally large people may need to purchase their own equipment as we do not stock extra large sizes. If you think you might fall into this category then please make a note on the registration form or check with us beforehand!
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You will need to wear a T-shirt, indoor training shoes and loose fitting trousers such as tracksuit bottoms. Spectacles can be worn.
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On the first night some time is spent completing the formalities and introducing you to the protective kit so we ask that you arrive at 7.45pm.
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Do not worry if you have to miss a session due to other commitments or illness. Pupils progress at different rates at different times so we do our best to ensure that there is enough time for everybody and to accommodate the unforeseen. We want you to fence!
Either at the end of the course (or on the earlier advice of the coach) you will be invited to join the Club which meets at the same
venue & time. The one-off joining fee is waived if beginners join the club immediately after the course. Equipment not required for courses may
be borrowed but we would encourage you to buy your own, especially fencing breeches, as soon as possible. Members are entitled
to individual lessons included within the membership fee.