Beginner classes

Damocles offers a beginner course to new fencers of all ages. The course is designed to introduce you to all the main components of the sport and help you discover your place in the world of fencing. Beginner's are exposed to all 3 weapons and can make an informed decision about which one they prefer at the end of the course.

We make an effort to stream classes by age category so that younger students can work with their peers. Adults and older students can also have classes streamed for them; we also offer family courses for mixed aged groups where parents and children would like to learn together (available upon request).

Skill development classes

These classes are set up for current Damocles students to improve upon their existing skills and add new skills to their toolset. Depending on the composition of the class, refinement of technical actions or application of tactical thinking will also be worked on in these sessions.

Summer Camps

During the summer of 2010 we will be offering 3 day camp programs. The first two are offered in July and are open to new fencers. The first camp is intended for 9 to 11 year olds, and the second is for 11 to 13 year olds. The third camp, in August, is for novice fencers in epee or foil who would like to participate in additional classes. Anyone who attended one of the earlier camps is also invited to attend. The detailed information is available below:

2010 Summer Camp Information     2010 Summer Camp Registration Form

Private lessson

Introduction:

The greatest enjoyment of fencing arises when fencers reach a high level of skill and can regularly fence opponents with similarly high levels of skill. Whether one competes informally in a club setting or formally in competition settings, the skills required to gain the greatest rewards for your efforts are the same. The best way to achieve such skills involve a combination of training methods.

1. Personal health & fitness: This is a combination of physical activity, mental outlook, and nutrition in your daily lives that gives you the energy and enthusiasm to devote to becoming a skilled fencer.
2. Regular partner training within a club program: This is a combination of fencing specific drills and fencing matches performed with a variety of partners. Ideally fencers receive instruction appropriate to their individual needs so that all participants can progress at their own pace and will gain confidence in their abilities by succeeding in an identifiable progression of skills.
3. Individual (one to one) instruction from a coach: This involves a focused period of time (20 - 40 minutes) during which the coach sets up a small number of drills for the fencer to perform against the coach's target. This enables the coach to provide the fencer with numerous repetitions and very specific feedback on technical and tactical improvements. The lesson theme can assist the fencer in setting clear training goals for group practice.

Background of lesson coaches:

Barbara Daniel is a nationally certified coach at Level 4 in foil and epee. She has been instructing fencing since 1975 to fencers of all ages and is the founding coach of the Damocles club.
Jim Stevens is a nationally certified coach at Level 2 in sabre. Before coming to Damocles in 2008, he had been coaching at the Beaches Sabre club in Toronto for ten years.

Lesson Policy:

1. Private lessons will be offered only in groups of 5, 10, 15 or 20 lessons and must be scheduled either weekly or bi-weekly. Lesson frequency has a significant impact on the fencer's ability to make technical and tactical improvements.
2. A fencer or coach may reschedule one lesson within each group of five lessons.
3. Scheduled lessons which are missed without notifying the coach in advance may not be rescheduled.
4. Fencers are expected to complete a personal warm-up lasting at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start of each lesson.

Lesson Fee Schedule

Note: The first lesson will normally involve goal setting and technical assessment.

Open bouting session

There are a number of times during the week where fencers can bout with each other at the salle. Please check the schedule to find a time that fits your needs.