Presidio Fencing Club comprises a group of fencing enthusiasts from Santa Ynez all the way down to Carpinteria. Through bi-weekly practices, we provide opportunities for training in Olympic sport fencing to novice and experienced athletes, aged 10 to Adult. Presidio Fencing Club is a member of the Southern California Division of the United States Fencing Association. We operate under the umbrella of the Central Coast Fencing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (tax ID# 820540198).
The club began in 2004 as the Santa Barbara Youth Fencers. In 2006 we changed our namesake to identify as an outpost for sport fencing in the Santa Barbara area. In 2011, we began Presidio North, a venue for fencing classes in Northern Santa Barbara County. Most Presidio fencers are recreational athletes, coming to practices to break a sweat. A few of us travel to Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and elsewhere in the country for competition.
Fencing is a great sport for athletes in middle school and high school. Upon graduation, our young fencers have gone on to compete at various NCAA and Collegiate Clubs
For insurance purposes, membership with the United States Fencing Association is required before joining any class. Membership is $10, and expires on July 31. It may be purchased by visiting USFencing.org.
We train as a team. A typical practice starts as a group warm-up along with some footwork drills to improve strength, agility, and power, and to provide a foundation for tactics. We then split into groups for drills or set up our electrical strips for situational sparring. Occasionally, we address topics such as nutrition, goal setting, tournament mentality, and equipment maintenance.
Note that fencers must have their own gear to participate. We only provide the basic equipment for introductory lessons (i.e. when you get to touch the coach, but the coach doesn't touch back).
Due to COVID-19, we still have not resumed group practices at the Westside Community Center. SB County heavily restricts indoor training. Please check back for updates. There's a community fencing workout in Girsch Park on Wednesdays at 4:30 pm. |
Westside Comm Center
Where Victoria St meets Castillo St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Fees and Services |
Cash
or Check |
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Membership |
$220/ quarter with cash/check |
+$6.88 PayPal fee |
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"Floor Fee" |
$20/ practice or $50/ 3 practices |
+ $.91 PayPal fee + $1.80 PayPal fee |
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Intro Lessons |
$30/ 1 lesson or $120/ 4 lessons |
+ $1.20 PayPal fee
+ $3.89 PayPal fee |
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Private Lessons |
$30/ 1 lesson or $120/ 4 lessons |
+ $1.20 PayPal fee
+ $3.89 PayPal fee |
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Tournament Coaching |
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Armoring and Equipment Maintenance |
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Presidio's Dos Pueblos High Men's Foil team. 2016 SoCal Scholastic Champions, Varsity B Division. Los Angeles, CA. Photo courtesy Richard Block.
Photo courtesy Doug Golupski