Tampa Fencing Academy as seen from the parking lot

Getting Started

Welcome to Tampa Fencing Academy!

Our main fencing discipline is epee, but we also offer foil and saber. We are mainly a competitive fencing academy, but we offer recreational fencing also. Fencing is a great sport with a long, rich history. The fencing community is full of supportive people who enjoy helping "newbies." Fencing has gained popularity in the US over the past few years. The US Fencing Association reports an enormous growth in membership and the numbers continue to grow. Take a while to read this page and explore the rest of our site. If you're not in the Tampa Bay area you can go to usfencing.org and find a club in your area. If you live near us, take a little time to come down and visit us! We love to meet interested people.

How old do you have to be to start fencing? Can my whole family participate?

Fencing is a sport that can be practiced by all ages. For safety reasons, we do not take students younger than 7. This is a sport where discipline and attention span are required! Some 7-year-olds are ready, some are not. Fencing is a sport that can be practiced by the whole family. Age categories are not separated as they are in karate or other martial arts; so many families choose fencing and participate together. (TFA offers family membership plans to make fencing affordable for families.)

 

I'm still unsure but I think I want to start fencing. What do I do now?

The next step is to contact Michela LaRocca at michela1@tampabay.rr.com or 813-792-8501.  We will set up a time for you to visit and check it out.

 

How much will it cost to start fencing? How do beginners get started?

Group Lessons are for beginners and are scheduled six days a week. Check the program page for specific days and times, but the general schedule is as follows: Monday-Thursday, 4:30 - 6:00pm. Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am - 12:00. Join a class once per week for $65 per month, or twice per week for $120 per month. See the group lesson flyer for more info and a registration form. TFA has all of the equipment that beginners need to fence. Equipment rental is included in beginners' class fees. Once you graduate from the group classes and begin electric fencing, we request that you buy your own electric weapon ($55) and bodycord ($14). These items are in short supply and we don't have enough to lend to everyone. All other items can be rented until you decide to buy your own.

 

What is the difference between Competitive and Recreational Fencing?

Competitive fencers compete in tournaments and recreational fencers don’t. We have both at TFA, but competitive fencers make up the bulk of our membership. They enter competitions at the local and national level. All fencers start off with a “U” classification. Fencers earn higher classifications, “E” up to “A”, by finishing at the top of larger events. The ultimate goal of each season is to compete in the Summer Nationals Championships and the Junior Olympic Championships. We have many nationally ranked fencers at TFA. We have National Champions, National silver and bronze medalists, and even a fencer who was selected for the USA National Cadet and Junior teams. All of our recreational and competitive fencers train and fence together. Many of our recreational fencers are former competitive fencers who are no longer on the circuit. At the other end of the spectrum are those fencers who are just starting out and are not ready to fence competitively. This environment combines to create a high powered fencing experience for every recreational and competitive fencer at TFA. 

 

If you have any questions that are not answered on this page, take a look on the “Useful Info” page to see if there is an answer there. If not, don’t hesitate to contact one of the friendly individuals below. We (usually) don't bite and we love to share our sport with others!