West Berkeley Fencing Club

My kids take a class with David. He’s great. He’s obviously skilled and strict but helps the kids have fun learning to fence. In addition to drills they also play games keeping the class exciting. He runs them around so they get a good workout in addition to building great hand-​eye and footwork skills. We’ll definitely do more classes there.

My 15 year old son has fenced here for about 9 months. He had fenced foil for several years before taking a break and wanted to return and we were so glad this place has come to west Berkeley in the old Freight and Salvage building, which has had a beautiful remodel. Marty has been giving him private lessons and she is fantastic– teenage boys think they know it all and can resist input, but she is able to wrest control and challenge him while keeping things casual and supportive with her good humor. The club is new and therefore small but growing a nice community, and the intimacy is part of the appeal as people get to know each other. The older fencers have been welcoming, and willing to help whip him into shape on the strip! Fees are very reasonable, and lessons and classes are easily booked online– convenient for parents.

I have been bringing my son here for fencing classes for about 9 months. He is 11, and had never handled a foil before his first class.
The instructors are excellent! The space is clean, bright and new. My son absolutely loves coming here, it is the highlight of his week!

I came here on a whim with my friends and it’s one of the strangest yet most fun activities I’ve gotten myself into awhile. I’m not what you’d call an athlete, as the only exercise I really do is running (low maintenance and gives you a good high). For some reason, I thought fencing may be an interesting way to cross-train…except that it’ll leave your body very asymmetrical. My right quad, left calf, left hip flexor, and right bicep are currently all super sore right now after last night’s lesson.
So far, I’ve received instruction primarily from Marty and she’s really, really great. I adore her. When you see her demonstrate some moves, she has such amazing grace and control, I can only imagine that in a real-​time fencing situation, she’d kick so much butt! Elana is the other instructor (I’m not sure if there are more?) and I believe she teaches beginners and kids. They’re both really funny/​sarcastic, very clear in their explanations, very patient, and fantastic at teaching. The staff in general here is also really cool and the regulars are all nice and don’t judge you (and by the general you, I mean me) for sucking. Everyone is realllllly nice and that inviting atmosphere makes a huge difference. There’s also usually free food (pizza, beer, Marty’s guacamole, etc) at the end of class too.
I seriously can’t recommend West Berkeley Fencing Club enough, especially for locals with kids who want to get them to do something fun and different. Or college students (you get a kickass discount if you have valid college ID)! Just… be sure to practice the exercises on your non-​dominant side too :)

Came here for a Women’s Tuesday Fencing Class. Great begginers classes and super delicious snacks provided. Also a great way to meet people.