Competitive Program

The Competitive Program is intended for the serious competitive foil fencer who is dedicated to improving and excelling in the sport. Fencers in the Competitive Program are consistently competing at the Regional level at a minimum, and must be capable of training alongside fencers competing at National, International, and/or NCAA levels.

Training sessions are designed with the goal of mastering various elements of foil fencing, including:

  • Advanced Bladework & Footwork Concepts

  • Physical Conditioning & Coordination

  • Strategic/Tactical Thinking

  • Competitive Bout Management

Through observations during training and the incorporation of video analysis, our goal is to identify key areas of improvement for each fencer and tailor both Group Classes and Private Lessons to directly address them.

Private Lessons are strongly encouraged as they are critical to efficiently progressing in the sport and offer the most individualized approach to improvement.

Two female fencers in white uniforms and masks, engaged in a duel with their foils crossed at a team World Cup competition at the Paris Olympics.

FAQs

  • Yes, you must be a member of Polaris Fencing Center to participate in the full Competitive Program. Annual, semi-annual and discounted college memberships are available.

    Non-members are welcome to join Open Bouting on Tuesdays from 7:15 - 8:45 pm and Fridays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm for a non-member fee of $40 per session.

  • Non-members can take Group Classes, but they cannot schedule Private Lessons.

    Please contact us for further information on non-member rates.

  • 5 sessions are offered per week, and each session is tailored to address specific components of a competitive fencer’s overall needs. The first 60-90 minutes will typically include dyanmic warm-ups, mobility and proprioceptive work, footwork, partner drills, and/or situational bouting. The remaining time is dedicated for open bouting.

    Sundays will primarily focus on fencing-specific strength and conditioning.

    Depending on the package, 2 or 3 Private Lessons are given per week.

  • In the 2025-2026 season, Open Bouting opportunities are available to the public on Tuesdays from 7:15 - 8:45 pm and Fridays from 6:30 - 8:00 pm for a non-member fee of $40 per session.

  • Yes, there is a discounted annual membership rate for current college students. This membership includes only unlimited Open Bouting. Current college students may participate for free during the Friday evening Open Bouting sessions.

    Private Lessons are not available for non-members of Polaris Fencing Center. Please contact the front desk about drop-in Group Class rates for non-member college students.

Four female athletes in blue tracksuits celebrating on a podium at the Olympics, holding hands and raising arms in victory. This was the first win for Team USA fencing in the Women's Foil Team event at the Paris Summer Olympics.

Competitive Program Tiers

  • Program 1 - Quarterly Model

    *Available Beginning 2025-2026 Season*

    This program is designed for fencers committed to long-term competitive fencing. The intent here is for fencers to be consistently competing at the regional, national and/or international levels with clear goals in mind.

    In this package, unlimited Group Classes, Open Bouting and 12 Private Lessons per month are included.

    This package uses a quarterly tuition model.**

  • Program 2 - Monthly Model with Private Lessons

    This program is designed for fencers who are committed to long-term competitive fencing but prefer a monthly model.

    In this package, unlimited Group Classes, Open Bouting and 8 Private Lessons per month are included.

  • Program 3 - Monthly Model without Private Lessons

    This program is designed for fencers who prefer only Group Classes.

    In this package, unlimited Group Classes & Open Bouting are included. Private Lessons are not included in this package, and are not available a la carte (fencer must be enrolled in Programs 1 or 2 to schedule Private Lessons).


** Quarterly tuition model: Q1 = Oct-Dec; Q2 = Jan-Mar; Q3 = Apr-Jun