Six Weeks. Twelve Sessions. One Decision.
This is where beginners start, at any age from 7 to adult. Twelve coached sessions take you from your first grip on an epee to a real competitive bout. Six weeks from now you will know whether fencing belongs in your life.
Starts Tuesday, August 18. All club equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary.
The August 2026 cohort
Twelve coached sessions, Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting Tuesday, August 18 at 5:00 PM. The last session is Thursday, September 24.
$368 for the full six weeks, with all club equipment included. Ages 7 and up, and no experience is needed.
This cohort starts on one date, and registration closes when the first session begins.
What is the Six-Week Fencing Challenge at NCF Boulder?
The Six-Week Fencing Challenge is NCF Boulder's structured introduction program: 12 coached sessions over six weeks, with all club equipment included. The August 2026 cohort runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from August 18 to September 24, starting at 5:00 PM. Sessions cover epee fundamentals - footwork, blade work, bouting basics - and prepare new fencers to transition into the youth or adult tier ladder afterward. Ages 7 and up.
The six weeks build to three checkpoints. In Week 5 you fence a round-robin mini-tournament against the rest of the cohort. At Session 8 a coach gives you an honest assessment of where you stand. By Session 12 you fence a competitive bout. Complete the Challenge and your payment credits toward a tier membership, with 30 days after graduation to decide.
Why "Just Signing Up" for Fencing Does Not Work
Most people who try fencing take a single lesson, feel awkward holding a weapon for the first time, and never come back. Not because fencing was wrong for them - but because one session is not enough to experience what makes this sport different.
Fencing is a strategic sport. The reward is not in the first touch - it is in the moment you read your opponent's intention before they act. That takes more than sixty minutes. It takes structured progression, guided practice, and enough time to get past the awkward stage into the part where it clicks.
The Six-Week Challenge exists because we believe the right amount of time to decide about fencing is six weeks, not one hour. Enough time to learn real skills. Enough time to compete. Enough time to know. And because you have invested in the decision, you will show up. That is the point.
Everything You Need. Nothing You Do Not.
12 coached sessions over 6 weeks. A complete curriculum with nationally recognized coaching.
12 Coached Sessions
Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug 18 to Sep 24
All Equipment Provided
Mask, jacket, glove, weapon
Week-by-Week Curriculum
From first grip to competitive bout
Coach Assessment at Session 8
Honest evaluation of your progress
Mini-Tournament in Week 5
Real competition with your cohort
Challenge Fee Credits Toward Membership
Complete the Challenge, and it applies to future training
The Journey: Week by Week
A structured curriculum. Defined milestones. Real competitive experience by Week 5.
First Grip to First Footwork
- ✓ Proper grip, stance, and movement
- ✓ Equipment familiarization and safety
- ✓ Introduction to the strategic mindset
- ✓ First blade contact with a partner
Attack, Defense, and the Tactical Conversation
- ✓ Attack and defense fundamentals
- ✓ Your first competitive exchanges
- ✓ Developing your personal fencing style
- ✓ Session 8: Coach assessment checkpoint
Mini-Tournament and Your Decision
- ✓ Round-robin mini-tournament
- ✓ Real scores against real opponents
- ✓ Graduation and recognition
- ✓ Transition guidance and next steps
Who the Challenge Is For
No experience necessary. No special equipment to buy.
- ✓ Kids curious about an individual sport
- ✓ Children who think strategically and love puzzles
- ✓ Families who want a structured way to evaluate fit
- ✓ Professionals seeking a workout that challenges both body and mind
- ✓ Adults who always wanted to try fencing
- ✓ Anyone looking for stress relief beyond the gym
Come to the first session before you commit
Bring your fencer on Tuesday, August 18. If you decide the program is not right for your family, email challenge@ncfboulder.com before the second session starts and we refund the full $368.
No forms and no conditions on the refund itself. You attend session one, you email us, and we return the payment to the card that made it. Putting it in writing gives both of us the same record of when you asked. Send it to challenge@ncfboulder.com.
Terms: the cohort needs a minimum of four registered fencers to run. If fewer than four register by August 18, 2026, the cohort does not run and we refund every payment in full. The first-session refund applies when you email challenge@ncfboulder.com before the second session starts at 5:00 PM on Thursday, August 20, 2026. Refunds return to the original payment method within 10 business days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to bring?
Sneakers and comfortable clothes. We provide everything else - mask, jacket, glove, weapon.
When does the August cohort start?
The first session is Tuesday, August 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM. The cohort meets Tuesdays and Thursdays for twelve sessions, and the last session is Thursday, September 24, 2026. Registration closes when the first session begins, at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, because the curriculum builds from session one.
Is this for kids or adults?
Both. The Six-Week Challenge is designed for ages 7 and up, including adults. The August 2026 cohort is a single group training together on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 PM, with the curriculum scaled to each fencer by the coach.
What happens after the 6 weeks?
Your coach helps you decide what comes next. Most participants transition into a membership tier that matches their goals. Complete the Challenge, and your investment applies to future training. Graduation for this cohort is Thursday, September 24, 2026, and you have 30 days from that date to decide without losing what you have already put in.
Why does the Challenge cost $368?
That covers 12 coached sessions with nationally recognized instruction, all club equipment, and a curriculum built to take a beginner to a competitive bout. Six weeks is enough time to learn the sport well enough to judge it for yourself. Complete the Challenge and the full fee credits toward a tier membership.
Do I need to be athletic?
No. Fencing rewards strategy over strength. The physical side develops as you train. Complete beginners thrive in this program.
What if my child does not like it?
Come to the first session on August 18 and see. If you decide it is the wrong fit, email challenge@ncfboulder.com before the second session starts and we refund the full $368. After that point the six weeks give you a real answer either way, and there is no pressure to continue after graduation.
Reserve Your Spot
The August 2026 cohort starts Tuesday, August 18 at 5:00 PM and runs through September 24. All club equipment is included, and you need no experience to start.