1. Who Are You?

	The Huntsville Fencing Club is a private amateur fencing club in the traditional sense, open to recreational and competitive fencers, with any exceptions noted below.
	The club has existed under its current organization since 2000. Prior to this, there were at least two other iterations of the HFC, the first organized in 1973.
	The club has its ultimate roots in the M.A.R.S. fencing club formed in 1963 by a small number of NASA Apollo Program engineers.
	The HFC has also been influenced by the instructor’s association with the pre-Katrina New Orleans Fencing Club.

2. Where and When Do You Meet?

	We meet for open fencing on Tuesdays 7 to 10, Fridays 6 to 9, and Saturdays 2 to 5.
	Occasionally the club is open earlier on Saturdays when there is no beginning class in session. Contact us first.
	Our address is 2319 Bob Wallace Ave. Suite F,  Huntsville, Alabama 35805.
	Directions: Heading west on Bob Wallace from the Parkway, turn left at the Tower Loan sign into the east (left) parking area. Our facility is at the end of the building. An HFC sign is on the door.

3. What Weapons Are Fenced?

The HFC is primarily an epee club, although some members do occasionally fence foil or saber. Most of the time, however, our members fence epee.

4. Is There a Best Weapon?

	There is no "best" weapon.
	The choice of epee, foil, or saber has much to do with personal preference and physical and psychological characteristics.
	Epee, however, is suitable to a larger percentage of fencers and a wider variety of personalities and physical types than are foil and saber.
	Please note that there only a few fencers to practice with at the HFC if you fence foil or saber.

5. What Are Your Fees?

	Regular and associate member fees are a $30 (prorated) membership fee, and floor fees that range from $8 (a single practice) to $35 (all you can fence for a month). See the Payment & Fees page for details.
	All members and visitors are required to be USA Fencing members (the $10 general membership will suffice).
	Fees are typically waved for short-term (a week or less) long distance visitors.
	As noted, the HFC is an amateur fencing club in the traditional sense: we are not a business. Our fees pay our rent, insurance, new equipment, and equipment and facility maintenance.

6. What Are Your Membership Requirements?

	Anyone who has at least completed a competent beginning fencing class in modern foil, epee, or saber may join, with the exception of local area fencers from other local Alabama clubs (Madison and adjacent counties).
	All members must have a working knowledge of USA Fencing rules and traditions.
	We do not discriminate based on sex, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious belief, or sexual orientation. We do reserve the right to refuse or revoke membership in cases in which a member’s behavior breaches, or is likely to breach, HFC safety rules, discipline, good order, or traditions.

7. Are Visitors Permitted?

	Non-fencing visitors are welcome, although it’s best to email first to ensure the club is open. Please note that space for observation is limited.
	Visiting fencers are also welcome, with the following caveat: those from other local Alabama clubs (Madison and surrounding counties) must be approved in advance by the HFC directors, without exception.
	All visiting fencers must hold current USA Fencing membership. Regular visitors must become associate members of the HFC.

8. When Do You Hold Beginner Classes and How Much Do They Cost?

	We hold two or three classes per year, typically late winter/spring, summer (on occasion), and fall.
	We post dates, determined primarily by instructor availability, at least two weeks in advance.
	The classes run for eight two-hour sessions on Saturdays from noon until 2 PM.
	The class fee is $110, payable to the Huntsville Fencing Club, plus a $10 USA Fencing membership fee, payable to the USA Fencing, and is required by our insurer.
	Due to space constraints, class size is limited to fourteen.
	At the moment we are unable to hold beginning classes at other hours.
	Due to time constraints, we do not teach true beginners--those who have never fenced before--individually.

9. What Are the Requirements to Attend the Beginning Class?

	Students must be reasonably physically able and healthy enough to engage in occasionally vigorous activity.
	Youth under the age of twelve must be pre-approved by the instructor. Although we have made occasional exceptions, we typically do not accept students under the age of ten, given that youth are integrated with adults in the beginning class. The instructors ensure that all pairings in drills and exercises are appropriate and safe.
	There is no upper age limit.
	The HFC provides all necessary fencing equipment.
	Appropriate dress consists of athletic shoes, sweat pants or track pants (jeans may work), and a T-shirt long enough to cover the top of the pants by three or four inches.

10. I Have My Own Equipment, Can I Use It in the Beginning Class?

	You may, subject to the instructor’s approval.
	All equipment must meet current USA Fencing safety requirements.

11. Do You Have a Separate Youth Program?

	We do not, for reasons logistical and philosophical.
	We lack the time to run a separate program, mandatory for youth under the age of ten.
	Further, it is our belief that children should be trained slowly and carefully, if at all, and not taught too quickly and pushed into competition too soon, as is all too common today in many clubs, an unfortunate practice advocated by many coaches and parents. This often results in less than positive outcomes over the long term, although it may be financially lucrative for fencing programs.
	The HFC welcomes students age twelve and over, and may make exceptions for younger students, but we are primarily an adult-oriented fencing club.
	For more information, see the "For Parents" section on the Information page.

12. Are Fencing Lessons Available?

	Lessons are available to members in all three weapons from the instructor, Benerson Little, according to his availability.
	Cost is $7 per 20 minute lesson, a rate a third or more less than the usual rate in most clubs. We can do this because we are not a business, and want to make lessons readily available.
	We do not consider these to be "private" lessons, but individual lessons. Fencing lessons are the most effective way to learn to fence well.
	The manner of training in lessons, and even if a lesson will be given at all, is up to the instructor.
	Lessons are generally available on Saturdays 2 to 4 PM, and occasionally on Fridays 7 to 10 PM.

13. Do You Sell Fencing Equipment?

	We do not have a "pro shop". However, our armorer, Dave Young, periodically orders equipment, and members and beginning students may place associated orders. This usually saves on shipping charges.
	Members and beginning students can also order weapons through our armorer, which he personally assembles. Not only does this save on shipping, but you get exactly what you want.
	The club does not make a profit on these orders; it is a service to members via the generosity of our armorer.

14. What Are the Benefits of Fencing?

	Fencing is excellent for developing coordination, speed, balance, and reflexes, as well as a fair degree of aerobic and anaerobic endurance. But its benefits go far beyond the mere physical.
	Fencing has a mind-body connection, which has been demonstrated over time and in modern studies to promote longevity, as well as a healthy body and active mind.
	Fencing sharpens the mind and develops self-control.
	Fencing is stress-relieving, with many of the benefits of meditation.
	Fencing is a safe, healthy way to relieve our competitive nature.
	Fencing promotes camaraderie, good will, fair play, and a sense of honor, at least in most fencers.
	Few if any sports offer so many short-term and long-term benefits.

15. Does Fencing Have a Rating System Like Traditional Martial Arts?

	Not exactly: fencing ratings can only be earned in competition. Currently, ratings run from unclassified, followed by E, D, C, B, and A. A-rated fencers can be further classified as unranked, nationally ranked, and internationally ranked.
	Fencing ratings are not always a good way of determining fencing ability: ratings diminish one degree every four years, thus many excellent fencers who seldom compete anymore have ratings lower than their actual ability.
	Further, the modern direct elimination system occasionally promotes fencers to ratings higher than their general ability.
	Fencers should concentrate on their fencing and not on ratings.

16. Is the HFC Associated with a National governing body?

The HFC is an insured USA Fencing member club in good standing, adheres to USA Fencing membership and insurance requirements, and follows USA Fencing rules and policies.

17. Does the HFC Adhere to Safe Sport Requirements?

The HFC follows USA Fencing Safe Sport requirements, including the background screening of instructors and officers.

18. Is Fencing a Good Sport for College Scholarships?

	In general, no, because there are not many fencing scholarships available. (See https://www.scholarshipstats.com/fencing.html.)
	Fencing is not a popular college sport: only 40 or so schools offer fencing as a varsity sport.
	Further, most schools with NCAA fencing programs are Division I and Division III schools. Div III schools do not offer athletic scholarships (but many provide strong academic-based aid to athletes), and many of the Div I fencing schools are Ivy League, and therefore do not offer scholarships.
	Of the schools that do offer fencing scholarships, only nine or ten, usually partial, are available on average per team, for nearly forty members per combined men’s and women’s fencing team.
	Full scholarships for fencing are rare.
	In general, sport as a means of paying for college is overrated. Academic scholarships are far more readily available.
	The best that can be said of fencing and college admissions is that successful competitive fencing might make an admission application standout in general, and might in some cases help pay for college.
	However, none of this should deter a high school fencer from applying for fencing scholarships if he or she has good competitive results. A competitive high school fencer has a one in three chance of fencing in college at the varsity level, but unfortunately a much smaller chance at a scholarship.

19. How long does it take to become "good"?

	The old school answer: a lifetime.
	However, you can enjoy fencing almost immediately, and in three to five years you can become a reasonably capable swordsman or swordswoman.
	Anyone who suggests you can do so in less time is, to paraphrase a line from The Princess Bride, selling something.