Youth Classes
We offer beginning and advanced classes for youth ages seven through fifteen. The beginning class teaches the fundamentals of footwork, blade work and tactics. The beginning classes run one hour per week year round, with breaks coinciding with the holidays.
All equipment for this class is provided by the academy at no extra charge. Students should wear sweat pants (no jeans), a T-shirt, and clean athletic shoes with laces. Slip-on athletic shoes do not offer enough lateral support and are unsuitable for fencing.
The Maestros will conduct periodic skill testing to determine if students should progress to the advanced class. With the Maestros’ approval, students can progress to the advanced class.
Adult Classes
We offer adult beginning and advanced classes for ages sixteen and up.
The usual format for adult classes is six-week intervals for one hour each week. We offer advanced classes only if there are a minimum of six students enrolled. After completion of advanced class, the fencers can join the club by obtaining a club membership.
All equipment for adult’s beginning classes is provided at no extra charge.
Advanced Classes
The advanced class focuses on advanced footwork, blade work, tactics and strategy with an emphasis on competitive fencing. This class runs 2.5 hours every week on Tuesday from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM year round.
Although you may continue to use academy equipment, you also must purchase some electrical equipment including an electric foil, a body cord and a lame. The coaches will help you with your order; discounted equipment is available through the academy.
Once admitted into the advanced class, you may obtain a GRAFA Membership. GRAFA offers a value package that includes the advanced class with a membership.
Membership
Membership in GRAFA entitles you to the following privileges and obligations:
- Scheduled open fencing: Monday and Thursday from 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
- Biweekly 1/2 hour group workout with one of the coaches, 7:00 p.m.-7: 30 p.m.
- Private lessons with Maestros Mikhail or Arkadiy (must be approved by Maestro and requires additional fees).
- Private lessons available in packages of four or eight.
- Opportunity to qualify for Team GRAFA travel team competing at USFA/FIE sanctioned tournaments.
- Members are instructed in the maintenance of their equipment and are expected to keep their equipment in safe and working condition.
- All GRAFA members should be welcoming to new members, visitors, and beginning fencers.
- GRAFA fencers are expected to exhibit exemplary behavior at all times whether they are at the club or representing GRAFA at a tournament.
- Members are required to list GRAFA as their competition club with the USFA.
- Grand Rapids Fencing Academy holds several social functions each year. While attendance is certainly not required, members will tell you it is a shame to miss any of our get togethers!
