Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF) is dedicated to promoting fencing for all, regardless of financial background, and helping young fencers excel in the sport.
Rochester Youth Fencers is a volunteer-operated fencing club dedicated to promoting the sport of fencing in the Rochester, Minnesota area, with a primary focus on providing opportunities for youth in grades K-12 to learn, train, and compete in a safe and supportive environment.
RYF is a registered USA Fencing member club and complies with all membership requirements, including maintaining liability insurance coverage, ensuring all coaches and volunteers complete SafeSport and background checks, and promoting athlete safety through adherence to USA Fencing's Codes of Conduct and Youth Protection policies.
At RYF, our sole focus is on each fencer’s growth and personal development, not the RYF’s benefit. That’s why we call ourselves Rochester Youth Fencers—a fencer-centric organization—rather than Rochester Youth Fencing Club, which would imply a business- or club-centric approach.
We offer classes, private lessions, camps and tournaments through the Rochester Commnunity Education Youth Program, which operates under the Rochester Public School ISD 535 school district. Scholarships and financial assistance are available for those in need.
We offer foil, épée, and saber fencing year-round, with two-hour sessions held twice a week in an open format. You can find the current dates, times, and location for Open Fencing sessions here.
The goals of our fencers are to:
1 Compete in the MN State High School Fencing League
2 Participate in USA Fencing sanctioned local, regional and national events
Rochester Youth Fencers (RYF) holds fencing sessions year-round in Rochester, MN. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced fencer, there are opportunities to join and participate in fencing activities.
Here's how you can get started:
Community Education Classes:
RYF offers fencing classes for beginners through Rochester Community Education programs. These classes teach fundamental skills, techniques, and the rules of fencing.
Check the Community Education Website for current class offerings and enrollment details.
Middle School Program:
Students in grades 6-8 can join the Rochester Public School middle school after-school fencing program, available in the fall.
Look for the "Middle School RYF: Rochester Youth Fencers (Gr. 6-8)" program for more information.
Open Fencing Sessions:
RYF runs open-format fencing sessions twice a week, year-round, for fencers of all ages and skill levels.
View current classes being offered or the RYF Activity Calendar to find session dates, times, and locations.
Private Lessons and Competition Track:
For advanced training, you can enroll in private lessons or join the RYF Competition Track program to enhance your skills and compete in tournaments.
If you're ready to begin your fencing journey or have any questions, contact us at ryf.fencing@gmail.com or visit us during an Open Fencing session.