How old does my child need to be to start fencing?

We generally enroll fencers at age 8 and up in our Youth Introduction to Fencing Class (Level 1), but actual starting age may vary.    Readiness to fence and level placement are at the discretion of our Head Coach.

What should a fencer wear and bring to practice?

• Wear comfortable athletic clothing that provides full leg covering to below the knee, such as capri-length or full-length sweatpants, or fencing pants (knickers).   Jeans and shorts are not recommended.
• Wear clean lace-up athletic shoes. Footwear with flat soles to grip the floor are best.  Sandals or boots are not permitted.
• Please bring a water bottle with your name labelled on it.

What equipment is needed?

All fencers must own or rent their personal equipment.  KAFF will loan basic fencing equipment needed for introductory classes and level 1 students. (Mask, Glove, Jacket) with a refundable deposit or when a credit card is on file.  Equipment rental is offered on a first-come first served basis, limited to stock on hand, at the rental rate of $10 per month.  The equipment rental fee may be waived for new fencers for a limited time (generally 60 days).

KAFF recommends that Level 1 fencers acquire their personal equipment, starting with a glove, mask, jacket and a practice foil, as soon as possible after a trial period.  As fencers progress in level 2, they will want to add electric foil, foil lame’, body & mask cords, as well as fencing pants, underarm protector, chest protector, and a carry bag for their gear.  Please ask the coaching staff for equipment suggestions.  We recommend all fencing equipment be purchased from reputable vendors such as AbsoluteFencingGear.com or TheFencingPost.com

Is a USA Fencing membership card required, and how do I get one?

YES, an individual membership with USA Fencing is required for all fencers.  Membership is valid for one season (August 1-July 31) and must be renewed annually by August 1 to continue fencing with KAFF.  The $10 “Non-Competitive” membership is sufficient for all KAFF club fencing.   Should a fencer wish to compete at USA Fencing sanctioned tournaments, the membership may be upgraded to the “Competitive” level at any time.

Enroll your fencer at https://www.usafencing.org/page/show/698114-individual-memberships.  Be sure to select “Kern Athletic Fencing Foundation” as your club affiliation and “Southern California” as your division.  Please print your paper membership card after enrolling and provide a copy or digital proof of membership when you join KAFF.

Students fencing with KAFF through our charter school or after-school fencing programs may receive a USA Fencing membership as part of their program enrollment.  Please ask our Membership Coordinator for more information, and complete and sign the USA Fencing membership form to be included in a batch enrollment.