Anonymous wrote:My 8 yo DD is interested in trying fencing. We're still in the sample everything phase as there is no sport she's found she really likes. Anyone have a good fencing academy they can recommend? We'd like something in Fairfax or Chantilly (on the CHS end). TIA

Honestly, in the beginning, go someplace where you like the vibe. The best fencing academy is the one your kid wants to go back to.
You can worry about whether they produce nationally ranked epee and sabre or they are taught by olympians later, like a few years later. Right now you want to create room for them to fall in love with the sport. Everything else... ...EVERYTHING ELSE is secondary.

Elite has become too big. Many kids are ignored and there are no private lesson. Big kids, small kids, beginners, and adults are all thrown in one room. No one is getting any attention..

The top epee fencer at FSA to whom everyone is referring left many years ago. Nobody else has had any significant results, so the owner keeps claiming that particular fencer. Try Elite Fencing or Penta.

Bump. I just signed up with Cardinal Fencing. No clue if it's good but it's close to our house. Anyone with any firsthand experience there?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids do not fence but I have also heard bad reviews about FSA. That there is no transparency on pricing, feedback and competitions. Beginner parents are not given any guidance and very bad and rude customer service. The management doesn’t care about anything else except money and supporting older kids who are already ranked fencers. They lost their top coach in fall 2021 to a university and after that they didn’t even hire a proper replacement.

Wow for someone who’s kids don’t fence you know a lot about a fencing academy. My kids don’t play soccer but….

Because my brothers 2 kids went there and they had a bad experience. There is no one stopping you to check out that place and decide what works for you.

I’m OP I’m at FSA the owner has been super nice. Pricing was clear for the number of times a week as well as for private lessons. After 2 weeks of lessons the instructor set up a meeting to discuss our goals (fun or serious) and what would be needed to achieve serious. He also suggested unofficial tournaments to gauge our daughter’s interest. Six weeks in and we have nothing bad to say about the place. I’m not sure where the hate is coming from but so far we like the place.