World-class fencing.
No elitist attitude.
San Diego Fencing Center is a welcoming, serious training community in Escondido where youth, teens, and adults discover Olympic fencing—developing mental focus, strategic agility, and lifelong athletic resilience.
Try Olympic Fencing: $35 Single Trial Class
Curious to hold a foil or épée? Our $35 introductory trial class includes complete equipment loan, hands-on stance and footwork coaching, and your very first touches on electric strips. Best of all, your $35 fee is applied toward your first month's tuition if you decide to join!
Mask, jacket, glove, underarm protector (plastron), and practice weapon provided. No gear purchase needed to start.
Regular athletic sweatpants (no shorts for bouting safety), a t-shirt, and clean athletic sneakers with flat soles.
Youth ages 8–12, teens ages 13–17, and adult beginners ages 18+. No prior athletic experience required.
Physical chess in motion.
Fencing challenges athletes to think tactically, react in milliseconds, and maintain composure under pressure. At SDFC, our mission is to make this Olympic sport welcoming, affordable, and grounded in personal character.
Tactical Agility
Fencers analyze distance, timing, and opponent behavior in fractions of a second. It sharpens focus and decision-making on and off the strip.
Self-Reliance
On the piste you stand alone. Every bout fosters personal accountability, confidence, emotional control, and the courage to bounce back.
Non-Collision Fitness
A full-body athletic workout developing core balance, aerobic endurance, and quick footwork agility without concussion risks or heavy joint impact.
Classical Etiquette
Rooted in respect: fencers salute before every bout, shake hands after, win with humility, and treat referees and teammates with sportsmanship.
A Program for Every Ambition
Whether you want to learn footwork for the first time, stay fit after work, or qualify for National Championships, our structured pathways support you.
Ages 8 – 12
Youth Development
Monthly beginner cohorts meeting two afternoons a week (4:00 - 5:30 PM). Fun coordination drills, blade safety, and foundational footwork.
Explore Youth →
Ages 13 – 17
Teen Pathway
Tailored for middle and high school students starting new or transitioning to competitive high-school and NCAA recruitment circuits.
Explore Teens →
Adults 18+
Adult "Fit Fencing"
Designed for adults trying fencing recreationally. Great cardio workout, stress relief, and friendly bouting with a supportive community.
Explore Adults →
Tournament Circuit
Competitive & NCAA
Intensive tactical bouting, video review, and private coaching with Master Coach Juan Calderón and Olympian Saul Mendoza.
Explore Competitive →
"We Consider You Family.
Not a Contract."
At SDFC, we do not lock parents into rigid 12-month contracts. We operate strictly month-to-month. If your child’s interests evolve, simply give us 15 days notice.
We also created the Global Fencing Network in 2016, connecting over 200 fencing clubs across 40 countries to foster cross-cultural exchanges, referee clinics, and open training worldwide.
"Whenever an SDFC fencer wins a tournament medal, they bring it to the club and offer it to their teammates. Every athlete touches the medal to symbolize that no victory is achieved alone."Read The SDFC Way Story
The SDFC Medal Tradition: Shared victory, gratitude, and true teamwork.
What Our Families & Fencers Say
Real experiences from parents and adult athletes training at San Diego Fencing Center.
"The coaching here is exceptional. Coach Juan and Coach Saul don't just teach technique; they teach discipline, humility, and genuine respect for your opponent. My daughter found her confidence and her sport here."
"I started Fit Fencing at age 38 with zero background in combat sports. Within three months I was bouting on electric strips, sweating through great cardio, and completely hooked on the tactical strategy. SDFC is friendly and entirely welcoming."
Experienced Coaches. Dedicated Mentors.
Our coaching staff includes teachers, an Olympic competitor, and collegiate coaches who treat every student with respect, dedication, and patient encouragement.
Juan Ignacio Calderón
Certified 3-Weapons Master by the Spanish Master Academy and USFCA. Head Coach of NCAA Varsity Fencing at UC San Diego and International FIE Referee with over two decades of collegiate and youth coaching excellence.
Saul Mendoza
Represented Bolivia in foil and épée at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Over three decades of international competition and classical footwork instruction, co-founding SDFC in 2005.
Weapon & Class Timetable
SDFC's primary foil training days are Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while primary épée training is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Adult Fit Fencing meets separately on Monday and Wednesday.
Facility Hours: Monday–Friday 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Saturday 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Club closes 1:00 PM Saturdays)
Foil Days
Mon / Wed / Fri- Youth Beginners & Intermediate (8–12 yrs) Mon / Wed / Fri: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Advanced Foil Group Mon / Wed: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Open Bouting & Private Lessons Mon / Wed / Fri: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Épée & Adult Days
Tue / Thu / Sat- Youth Beginners & Intermediate (8–12 yrs) Tue / Thu: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
- Adult Fit Fencing (All Levels) Mon & Wed: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Saturday Competition Clinic & Open Bouts Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Conveniently Located in North County
Located directly off Interstate 15 in Escondido, San Diego Fencing Center features a dedicated training hall with electric scoring strips and specialized shock-absorbing athletic sports flooring.
1770 S Escondido Blvd, Escondido, CA 92025
Free, dedicated parking lot adjacent to building
Monday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM • Sunday: Closed
North San Diego County Location
Convenient access for families in Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway, San Marcos, Vista, Carlsbad, and surrounding areas.
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