FAQs
I'm too busy to read all this, can I just talk to somebody?
Call or text Michele (Mich) directly at 406-570-9887 or email
Where are you located?
We are at 15 Tai Lane (downstairs) in Bozeman. 15 Tai Lane refers to the entire building. Turn off Lincoln at Granny's Doughnuts/The Wash House. It is the second (southern) commercial building in that parking lot. We are on the NE corner of that building, the opposite end from Spectators. Orangish door, blue sign on the door. Go downstairs.
Can I Try Out Fencing before I commit?
We offer a $25 half hour private beginner lesson so that you can try out fencing before you commit to a longer period of classes if you wish.
Drop In Fencers from Out of town
Out of town experienced fencers are welcome to drop in for a class or bouting with prior arrangement. Proof of national USA Fencing membership is required. $20 floor fee. $45 for a 30 minute private lesson, which includes participation in age/skill appropriate open bouting if available that day. Drop in fencers may also be asked to pay the annual fee of $105 after the second day of fencing. Gear can be rented for $25/week if needed.
Private or PoD Lessons
Private (or semi-private) lessons are the most effective way to personalize your learning, allowing you to progress fastest and at your own pace. You can proceed learning with just private lessons or use the lessons as an adjunct to classes and/or open bouting or switch to classes. Private lessons can generally be worked around your schedule. 30-90 minute mini-classes are also available for small pods of students ages 8 and up
Fencers are expected to have warmed up and stretched prior to half hour lessons. Effective warm-ups can be covered in the first lesson.
Lesson fees include use of some club equipment until you are able to purchase your own higher level equipment.
The cost for a private lesson is $30/ half hour or $60 for a full hour.
The cost for a the first 4 beginner private lessons is $25 for half an hour
Date night fencing is $120 for a 90 minute lesson
There is a $105 annual fee after the first month of lessons.
What is the "season" for fencing?
2023-2024 season is August 1-July 31, 2024 School year classes run through end of June
Second summer session starts TBA, after summer nationals and has a different schedule
Local tournaments start up August 12, NACs start in October, Division I Championship is in April, Junior Olympics in February, Summer Nationals are the Championship event for all others.
Vacations, holidays and summer?
Spring classes continue until June 27. Sometimes we shift the schedule when school gets out to accommodate summer. The second summer session starting in mid-July has a different class schedule. There are camps offered in June and second summer session.
Summer Breaks 2024 TBA
No class March10-16 or Thursday/Friday/Monday of Memorial Day weekend.
We may take other breaks for travel time for national tournaments as they are generally scheduled Fridays and Mondays. If we can arrange a make-up class or substitute instructor, we will. Updates will be emailed, posted here, and at the club.
Private lessons and pods can be scheduled throughout much of the summer.
Community Health Practices
We follow the guidance of USAFencing which does not require face masks.
Clean your hands as needed, bring clean indoor shoes to change into to keep the mats cleaner, we use air filtration systems in the club. The end of bout hand shake can be replaced with a distanced salute and blade tap if you wish.
Our freedom to fence is rooted in our personal responsibility to our club mates and community at large. If you have a cold, have received a positive covid result, or have been told that you should quarantine or isolate - Please do not come to the club or fence! Let us know what’s going on and we look forward to fencing with you again when you are cleared to do so. Your class or lesson fees can be applied to when you are cleared to fence again. As you are recovering, if you still have cold symptoms, please wear a mask. The health and well-being of our vulnerable fencers and family members depends upon all of us. Thank you!
are the Age Ranges for classes flexible?
Our age ranges are guidelines. If you have questions about which class(es) are likely to be the best fit, feel free to ask.
what should I wear and bring for a beginner lesson?
Beginner students should wear socks, clean athletic shoes that you bring and change into on arrival, t-shirt, and long pants that come below the knee and allow movement (jeans with some stretch or enough room to move in are ideal, no shorts) and bring a water bottle.
Beginner lesson, camp, and class fees include the loan of the basic equipment that you will need. Beginner kit includes: epee, mask, plastron, jacket, glove, and for children under 10 and women and girls over the age of 11 and older boys who wish it, also a plastic chest protector for comfort. It is important that your equipment fits well, so please measure carefully!
Jedi class fees include loan of a plastic epee with rubber tip, a mask and jacket.
How should I wash the equipment I am loaned?
If you bring gear home, please remember it for your class and lessons. Make sure any gear that belongs to you that you leave at the club has your name marked with permanent marker and that it is stored neatly in the “changing” room or on the rack. Everything should be hung up neatly at the end of class. Please do take your whites home to wash as needed in cold water. Do not machine dry and do not bleach! If you leave personal gear unused at the club for a year it will be repurposed unless other arrangements have been made.
How does the equipment thing work?
Your registration fees contribute both to loaner gear when you and others are getting started and that you use as spares during tournaments/practice and to the upkeep of the electric scoring systems and the purchase of those little screws and springs that make epees work and the time and effort of your friendly armorers.
OK, It's time to buy our own equipment- What should I get?
Here's the overview. We may have gloves available for purchase. We encourage you to buy your epees from us and in the process to learn how to build and repair them. You may be able to purchase other items used. The bulk model starter kits may not be the best deal around. But they give you an idea of what all is involved. At some point you will want to purchase a 350N or 800N rated glove, jacket, knickers, plastron, and mask. Some will also want or need a plastic chest protector. The best balance of reasonably priced and lasting quality epee will be purchased from us. You may schedule a time to help build it and learn how to do repairs on it. Please talk to us before you place any orders!!! There is some gear out there that you don’t want.
Thanks to the armory efforts of Rab and Kai, we are currently able to loan some electric equipment for your first few tournaments. Even once you have your own electric epee, you will still need a spare epee and cord for a tournament. Your registration fees contribute to these efforts.
What is a USFA Membership and why do i need one?
A 2023-2024 Access USFA (United States Fencing Association) membership is required for all fencers in the United States. You will need one after the first two months of fencing as a beginner It is a requirement for insurance for all USA Fencing sanctioned classes and other activities. It also allows you to compete in local tournaments. If you have been a USFA member in the past, you may not use the Trial Membership but rather must sign up for an Access or Competitive membership with USAFencing
What are all these age classifications and ratings?
USFA Age/ Classification Charts
Refund Policy
If you withdraw from a class or camp up to one month prior to start date, there is a full refund. From one month through the day before the class or camp a 90% refund. On the first day of class/camp there is a 30% refund. There is no refund thereafter. There is no refund of registration fees. Class fees can be applied to the next month if you had to miss classes for Covid reasons.
We're homeschoolers- do you have a class for us?
Fencing is a great addition to homeschooling and can meet your physical education needs in a fun way. Homeschool classes are available during the typical school day by request for a minimum of 6 kids and/or parents for ages 6 and up. Cost is dependent on the size and length of class, number of sessions, and whether we are providing equipment. We encourage a minimum of 4-6 classes for beginners. Many homeschoolers have also fence in our after school classes.