En Garde Fencing - Santa Rosa, California

T W

the community here is really welcoming and friendly. there are classes for people at any skill level, they're very inclusive and you can tell they work tirelessly to provide a good experience. they also provide loaner gear for HEMA while you wait to get your own so that's really cool, especially for me who is a novice.

Jocelyn Rucker

I highly recommend En Garde Fencing! My husband and I had never been and after watching The Rings of Power he mentioned, in passing, it was something he’d always been interested in. Needless to say, I took note and when we had an opportunity we went. I called Jim before we went and he was super informative over the phone & took about 20 minutes answering all my questions. The price at $20/pp to drop in for the fencing class was MORE than reasonable. When we arrived Jim took the time to explain all the fundamentals and equipment and we got in quite a bit of fencing time. They also offer some other cool stuff like Warbow (think Nerf bow & arrow). If your looking for a fun new hobby or a great date night idea try En Garde Fencing!

Jay Trojan

I can only speak to the HEMA part of the club, but overall it's a great place for HEMA in the north bay. Very inclusive, well taught, and safe club for swinging swords at each other. Jim is just about the hardest working small business owner I've ever met, and it shows in how smoothly everything is run and in all the extra seminars, activities, and other events that are going on constantly around the club.

Mapi Castel

My son loves the Hema class. He has so much fun, its building his confidence, teaching him respect, and making friends. Tim is awsome with kids, he is fun, and the kids love him.

Paul Carey

We have been coming here for about two years. We first became aware of En Garde fencing during one of the summer camps offered in Rohnert Park. After the week of camp, my oldest decided he wanted to learn fencing.

We’ve had a great experience these past two years, even through the pandemic. I was very impressed with how Jim kept everybody engaged even when we couldn’t physically show up to the fencing club. He went out of his way to make virtual lessons available, and keep everybody engaged and their skills sharp.

Jim is very good with kids, and has an ability to take even the most hesitant and shy kid and get them running around in fencing with the other students in no time. I’m really glad we found this for my oldest, and my youngest also enjoys archery throughout the week here too!

Stephanie Derammelaere

En Garde Fencing is a wonderful, supportive fencing school for children and adults. Students can jump right in on the first day without needing to first buy a lot of equipment or supplies - protective gear and clothing is provided so it is a great way to try out if you like this sport! My children love attending classes and it has been remarkable to see how the progression in their abilities has affected their overall confidence and poise. Jim, the owner, is extremely patient and supportive. Beyond teaching fencing, he teaches kids life lessons like team work, strategy, cooperation, and healthy lifestyle choices. I can't recommend them enough!

Alena Carnes

En Garde is more than an incredible fencing club. Not only have my two children grown as fencers over the past few years, they've learned valuable life lessons. Jim takes fencing scenarios and uses them as teaching opportunities. For example, how do you deal with loosing? I personally think it's a rare and special to have a coach that takes extra time to work through difficult situations with children.

I also take the adult classes, they are ALL fantastic! Olympic, Historical, and the Cutting Edge Fitness class. The cutting edge class has helped me heal old injuries and I've never felt better. I'm beyond thankful the club and it's wonderful community. The list of opportunities for personal growth, for all ages, is endless!

Kat Fraser

I practically live at this club.

Tuesdays I go in for historical saber, Thursdays it’s HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) sparring, Saturdays for HEMA training, and now Sundays for PiYo. I’ve become more fit and bodily aware, a better problem solver, and I feel like I get a free history lesson every time I walk into the place. Oh yeah, and I’ve made friends along the way so that’s pretty sweet too.

I love every class and the community that’s been built around it. Jim is a compassionate and patient person who is so good with kids (he doesn’t just teach fencing, he teaches them how to be good people) and I’m envious of the kids who get to grow up with him as a teacher.

There’s plenty of loaner gear, all of the teachers are fantastic, and the membership costs are extremely reasonable. Regardless of age or condition, there’s something here for anyone who has ever seen a sword and thought “Hey that’s pretty cool.”