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Halberstadt Fencers' Club
Category: Active Life Fitness & Instruction Martial Arts Martial Arts [Edit]
621 S Van Ness Ave(between 17th St & 18th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 863-3838
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 3 pm - 10 pm
Sat 8:30 am - 4 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Halberstadt Fencers' Club
9 reviews in English
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Review from Michael E.
San Francisco, CA
12/27/2011
The upstairs area is fencing heaven. The room is as clean and austere as a dojo. Open fencing is fun - on Tuesday night, there were several people there, of various ages, ranging from very good to tough as hell, but all friendly and warm and game for a bout with a new person. There are competitive types and serious or semi-serious hobbyists there - a real fencers' community.
The beginner and intermediate fencing classes are great: the coaches are excellent and the class sizes are fine. A novice in good physical condition can learn how to hold their own very quickly.
They have a full inventory of loaner equipment but, as with all fencing clubs, the condition is generally grody. It's totally worth it to invest in your own mask, jacket and glove as soon as you can possibly persuade yourself that you're going to stick with the sport for a while. (Beginners don't have to spring for "FIE-certified" equipment, just get the low-end gear from your favorite fencing supply company.) -
Review from Anthony G.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2011
Halberstadt Fencers' Club is not just a exercise and fencing place, but a social organization where children and grown ups can find an environment to cultivate long-lasting friendships and relationships with other positive and intelligent people. Through the course of my matches and waiting for bouts I have had the opportunity to bond with people whom, without fencing, I would have never had the privilege to meet; all the while laying the foundation for friendships with, would become some of the most important people in my life.
All in all I would say that my experience with this fencing salon has been a very positive one. I do, and will continue to refer it to anyone to Halberstadt Fencers Club who has an interest in fencing. -
Review from S L.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2011
This club is a great place to fence your butt off and have a great time. There are two floors, so there are a lot of strips available, which is especially great on crowded nights. I found the coaching staff (Peter Burchard, Scott Cunningham, Rob Handleman) to be knowledgeable and helpful. There's also an amory where you can fix your broken weapons. The club had a recent facelift, so it looks brand spanking new, but the membership is shockingly affordable. I would definitely recommend this club to anybody that's interested in fencing.
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Review from William C.
Alameda, CA
11/4/2011
Been with the 'Stadt for the better part of a decade, now, and still getting good training every week.
Always a bunch of tough, courteous, skilled foilists to keep my legs moving. Great competitive spirit, as well, with support from the homeys before, during and after events.
Since the remod, putting the reels overhead and using the Favero's with repeaters, the 12 strips have become 100% useable every day.
The other thing I like so much is that we have a wide variety of people coming through the door, both new fencers, U.S. fencers who have moved to the area, and a goodly sprinkling of international fencers who land in S.F. for one reason or another. Go 'Stadt! -
Review from P W.
Washington, DC
11/4/2011
This fencing club is great! The folks are friendly and the coaches top notch. I have been a member for many years.
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Review from Mary T.
Sunnyvale, CA
Updated - 3/3/2011 2 Check-ins Here
When Cal and I first started dating, I used to visit Halberstadt to watch him fence...all while yelping away. I haven't had time to yelp much, recently, but I'm trying to change that. So, I decided to return to the place where inspiration came naturally.
So, now here I am, watching Cal fence while I type away on my outdated tablet laptop (hello, iPad 2). The place hasn't changed much. Still free wifi and still tough to find a parking spot. Gotta love the dedication that these fencers have to this impressive sport.
There's a tournament here this Sunday 3/6. So drop by if you're curious.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/9/2008
I am reviewing this fencing establishment purely as a spectator. This is Cal's fencing club, and it… Read more »
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Review from Evan D.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2007 2 photos
This is where I go for a great workout and to blow off some steam. There's nothing better than grabbing a sword and stabbing someone to make you forget about the work day. Seriously, Halberstadt Fencers' Club is the place to learn the sport of fencing in San Francisco. They have group classes, private lessons, open bout nights, and even equipment for newbies. The club was founded in 1942 and is a prestigious name in American fencing. The members and coaches are really easy going despite all the hacking and stabbing. ;-)
If you want to try your hand at this fast paced sport, Halberstadt is a great place to explore your hidden swashbuckler. So choose your weapon... -
Review from N. C.
San Francisco, CA
11/23/2008
It's hard to rate fencing clubs since I haven't been to many of them. But at least my experience at Halberstadt is really great!
They have REALLY REALLY good and talented instructors!! The place itself can use some improvement, but I guess money is an issue.
Did you know that the youngest U.S. Olympic fencer ever came out of this club???? Impressive, huh? -
Review from Matt B.
San Francisco, CA
2/10/2010
Halberstadt has been around since 1942 and is (I'm told) the oldest club on the west coast. The facilities are reasonable, and they have a decent looking offering of classes, but what makes Halberstadt stand out are the SF Youth and Junior Sabre programs (http://www.sfyouthfenc...). These are led by Rob Handelman and Connie Louie who, in addition to having had great competitive careers, are two of the most gifted instructors--in anything--that I've seen.
Consider what is takes to instruct a 7 year old in a sport that exemplifies discipline, precision and rigor. The task requires a deep understanding of child psychology (in fact, Dr. Louie is a clinical psychologist) and a profound empathy with children. Even the choice of the starting weapon--sabre, rather than the traditional foil--was made in acknowledgment that the cutting motion permitted in sabre is easier for kids to start with.
Much of the instruction and drilling is done in the form of games, which the children love. Warm-up games are designed to keep the kids engaged and active while sneaking in subtle lessons about balance and quickness. Classes usually end with a game of "castle" (think "capture the flag" with everyone wielding sabers), which the children absolutely live for. The games all have a purpose, though, and Maestros Handelman and Louie successfully encourage discipline, good sportsmanship and competition.
One-on-one lessons are frequent but brief, in recognition of the child's temperament and ability to focus.
Fencing is a great alternative to the usual children's sports activities, and the SF Youth Fencing Program led by Rob and Connie has got to be one of the best of its kind.
(And the free wireless is a big bonus for parents waiting for their kids!)
