Virginia Academy of Fencing

I was extremely disappointed with the management of this facility. After a six week course in which my Deaf daughter did wonderfully with the assistance if an ASL interpreter, the management decided she and the interpreter were a safety hazard… all because of her being Deaf. While this is certainly discrimination and against the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), more appalling is the fact that they used «safety» as the reason. In actuality, they simply didn’t want to incur the marginal costs of providing full communications access to my daughter, as per the ADA (as for the previous six weeks Fairfax County had paid for the interpreter as a part of a parks and rec program). The sad part is we had just enrolled her in another class and were gearing up to buy all the necessary equipment to help her do this as her full time sport.
It’s a shame the management is so discriminatory, because their coaches are quite good. Bad business and even worse legal/​ethical practice on their part.

It is interesting that most of the bad reviews have come from people who tried VAF once or twice using a coupon and were dissatisfied. My son has been taking classes for several years and likes it a lot. He has advanced through several sabre classes, even changing classes to accommodate changes in his schedule, which was easily done with a phone call, email or after one of his classes. I have NEVER felt pressured to take private lessons too quickly (like I was at a local martial arts academy) or to increase the number of classes he takes. The staff is very pleasant and the environment is clean. They emphasize respect and safety over everything else. The membership isn’t cheap, that’s true, but there’s a lot of value behind the cost. It’s a great environment for kids that might not want to participate in traditional sports and is someone that a person can do at any age.

I bought a Capital Deals offer for $ 99 for a the Mousekateers program for age 4 and 5 students.
For over 2 months I would call and ask if the program was going to happen because they needed a minimum of 3 kids to hold the class, and every time the response was no.
Finally they have enough kids to hold the program, but unfortunately it was a month where I was going to be out of town 3 of the 6 weeks. Because I didn’t want to mess things up for the other 2 parents, I went ahead and participated.
They wouldn’t let me make up the 3 classes we missed.
The first 2 classes the instructor didn’t teach them much, and then by the 3^rd class they switched to another instructor who was much better.
They don’t allow pictures or videos to be taken, which really stinks because I really wanted to snap a few pics of my kiddo in full fencing gear. :(
If it was closer, and cheaper, perhaps I would have allowed my daughter to continue because she did enjoy it. But I would say overall it was a very average experience.

A lot of misinformation is floating around on this site about VAF. I can’t speak for people who had unsatisfying groupon experiences: I’m experienced fencer who spent a year taking classes and fencing at VAF, and has seen a lot of good and bad clubs in my day. I have since moved on from VAF, but I recognize that the place has a lot to offer
Pros:
This place has a great beginner program. They teach the basics to everyone, and organize the classes according to experience level. They don’t just throw a newbie in with experienced guys: You have a cohort for the first couple months, so everyone learns together.
Easily the best Historical Fencing program in the DC metro area. The beginner class starts slow, to accommodate the stereotypical ren-​fair-​fans who inevitably sign up for classes like this, but they quickly drop out or shape up in the intermediate and advanced courses. The program quickly ramps up into a comprehensive program combining encyclopedic historical knowledge with experienced instructors. It is MILES beyond what you can get from the SCA, and is easily on par with any eastern martial arts program.
Great intermediate and saber program.
Cons:
The place is pretty much always crowded. Free-​fencing is difficult at the best of times, due to a lack of space. This won’t be an issue for anyone in the beginning levels, but it is frustrating for more experienced fencers
No dedicated épée coach. They have an experienced foil coach who understands the mechanics of épée, but not the strategy.
There is a distinct lack of experienced foil and épée fencers.
Expensive.
So the TLDR version: If you are interested in learning how to fence, their beginning classes teach you all you need to know from the get-​go. Once you move up into the intermediate or advanced classes, though, look elsewhere unless you plan to stick with saber or historical fencing, and you don’t mind paying a bit more than other places in the area.

I had an absolutely awful experience there this afternoon. I went with a Groupon, and I thought it was a bit odd that when I contacted them in Nov., they told me the only time I could use it was on a random Sun. in December (after the Groupon would have expired). I was certainly not prepared for what I walked into today. I got a bad feeling in my stomach when I pulled up, and there were very few spaces to park. Fencing? Really? Is it all that popular?
There were over 50 people there from all ages (literally). I had no idea I was going to be spending and hour and a half with a bunch of kids between the ages of 4 – 10. Listening to the owner’s dry and often times offensive humor got old very quickly. Many many many people had to stand as non paying customers took up seating.
I could go on and on about the weird atmosphere, but when all was said and done, I was given the opportunity to fence two people for a matter of two minutes each. The worst part: one of them was a third my age while the other was half my age. The employees bragged about how safe the sport is yet I find nothing safe about children dueling with adults. I could have seriously hurt a child if I was not overly careful. Why they feel it is appropriate to have adults in the same class as children is BEYOND me. What is even more confounding is how they expect to draw people (especially adults) with such a production. Good luck.

I saw a nice deal on Groupon to try this place out and get an introductory class. I’ve seen fencing on the olympics and fantasized about being the 4^th, 5^th, or 6^th Musketeer. And now that I think about it, I’ve never really seen any Fencing institutions around me as I was growing up (In Central California and then Hawaii)
Anyway, this place is tucked away in Springfield past a litte strip mall and iindustrial complex. It’s pretty big inside too. They have posters of Jedis (from star wars), huge figurines of Knights, Medieviel themed pictures on the walls, and of course swords of all types.
Now when I think of it, whenever I thought of fencing, I thought of that little wire-​looking sword that bends like a pole vault and French guys slapping each other with white gloves saying «I shallenge yew tyu ah duwel!».
As I learned in the tour/​class, there is much more to it than that. There are other bigger, thicker, meaner looking swords and weapons involved. And real Medieviel fencing, other than the sport that we know today, is an actual martial art. Maybe some of you knew that, but I sure didn’t. They don’t teach the combat stuff in Fencing on the regular. You have to sign up for special classes for that.
So there were around 30 groupon, living socials that attended the clase/​tour. We got to hold a variety of bladed weapons to get a feel for them and listened to the history and background of each one. After we signed our lives away, we donned some protective jackets and masks and got on the dancefloor to practice some moves. ON GAURD! I felt like Puss n Boots for a good hour. Listening to the commands to move forward, back, perry, and strike. It was over before you knew it.
Afterwards we watched the kids sparring for a while and then called it a night. The facility is really nice and there is a big area where you can sit and just be a spectator. Of course all the parents were hanging out there with laptops and such.
I had fun. I’m still deciding if I want to come back and take the 6 week course.
I need to go and watch the original «Buffy the Vampire slayer» movie, and then, maybe I’ll decide.

I would give this review 0 stars if I could
I have had the most appalling experience in dealing with this company for the past several months.
I purchased a 6 week introductory class for my son. After attending only 1 class, he contracted the chicken pox and was contagious for 2 weeks. He subsequently missed the next 2 classes. When I asked if canceling the class would be advised since he had missed ²⁄₃ of a 6 week course, I was told that would be fine. Thereafter followed several MONTHS of trying via phone to get a refund instead of a class credit, only to be told they would «check on it» and get back to me. I never got these promised return calls, and would have to call back and explain everything again. This happened 3 times over the course of 3 months. The last person I talked to flat out REFUSED to put me through to a manager. And refused to even give me the name of a manager I could write to.
Now I have been told they do not offer refunds. Ever. But they will gladly hold my $ 99 until my son’s currently booked schedule permits him to take the class.
No apologies whatsoever were offered for the rudeness and non-​professionalism of their employees.

Great environment for kids! I am impressed by the discipline that is enforced there and truly feel my son will be better in other aspects of his life due to what is taught here outside of the actual fencing! Very professional staff are always eager to help and answer any questions that parents have, the owner is a very nice person and will take time to talk to us whenever he sees us around!

No question… this is a great place to learn and practice fencing. The facility is big, clean, well organized, and spectator friendly. The staff and coaches are knowledgeable and accommodating. I’ve been taking lessons here for three years now and will say that my fencing has improved dramatically. The focus here is on competitive fencing, but there is an interesting group of people who practice historical swordsmanship as well.
As others have said, the club has a bias towards the Sabre. However, I’m quite satisfied with my training as a Foil fencer and think the coaching is top notch. They also offer private lessons which complement group classes very well. However, everything at VAF comes at a high price. A nice facility costs money. Good coaches cost money, etc…
The location is very convenient for NOVA residents (Right off of Braddock Road near the Beltway)
Pros: Great coaching and training programs; great facility; nice people (5 Star)
Cons: Very expensive; lack of hosted USFA competitions; lack of members in the 25 – 40 age bracket. (–1 star)

Since I’ve been in DC, VAF has had a large, but very niche presence. Ryjik runs a successful business, has good teachers and many good students.
However, the school has some interesting business practices. For one thing, the prices. One must either be rich or very new to fencing to think that the prices he charges are fair. Amy P. pointed out that the school is in the suburbs, but she didn’t explain that the median price for homes in the surrounding area is $ 470k+ in a bad economy, so imagine how expensive they’d be in a good one. It’s a nice area and they can afford to pay VAF prices.
VAF monthly classes are roughly 2 to 3 times more expensive than other schools. For instance, the DC Fencing Club has a 9 month Intermediate program for $ 870, which works out to $ 97 a month for two classes a week and open fencing one day a week, so essentially 3 fencing days. VAF charges, as Amy pointed out, $ 199 for beginners, and more for the experienced fencers.
The reason why people are willing to pay (interesting business practice #2) is that most of his students don’t know (like the first reviewer) that there are many other schools in the area, and those that do know are generally discouraged from competing outside the club. Any registered USFA fencer can compete in an Open event anywhere in the country, so VAF fencers can compete in DC or MD, but you’ll rarely see a VAF fencer at DC or MD club sponsored competitions. Most, if not all of the other fencing clubs in the area will link to USFA, fencing stores, and local fencing events… not VAF. When you’re at VAF you fence, buy and think only VAF.
The only time you’ll see VAF fencers en masse at open events are when they are very large, like the Cherry Blossom Open, and even then the group will be a mostly handpicked selection of sabereurs… who then proceed to take the top 5 places. I don’t like the business, but the VAF sabereurs are very good. Épée and foil look elsewhere.
There are plenty of other places to fence in the DC-​Metro area, and I strongly recommend you go elsewhere if you value your money:



For saber, the only thing in the area that even comes close to VAF’s skill in that discipline is the team at NIH under Pinkus, or DCFC, provided you can get private classes from Smolenski or Gilman. For épée, DCFC if you’re being taught by Suchorski. Foil is a coin toss in this area.
1 star for the saber fencers, 1 star for running a very successful business.