The Tri-Weapon Club is not the usual fencing club or the usual kids' club. Unlike many fencing clubs, and sports clubs in general, we pride ourselves on building a community which develops leaders and people of character. Our families get to know each other and become part of the Tri-Weapon family. Our youth athletes learn to teach, they learn to lead, and they learn to carry themselves with pride
, a sense of respect, and an awareness of how to behave in ways which demonstrate their character. Second, Tri-Weapon considers your individual needs to reach competitive success. Youth athletes of all levels of ambition are welcome and appreciated at Tri-Weapon. Some clubs bring in fencers just to fill classes and keep the doors open without having a sense of who the athletes are and what their goals are. Some pull in large groups of people, and then only focus on a small group made of the few athletes they believe are promising. At Tri-Weapon coaches will work with parents and athletes to identify competitive goals and make a plan to reach those goals. Whether you want to compete in local competitions, win local competitions, perform regionally, nationally, or get recruited to a college team, our coaches are aware of what type of training schedule and activities you need and will help you build your individual path to success. Third, TWC provides a complete education in the sport of fencing and instills the ability to function independently. Tri-Weapon requires athletes not just to be successful athletes, not just to be good teammates who exhibit sportsmanship but to be competent individuals who can contribute to the sport of fencing. Students are required to become certified in some area of fencing knowledge - coaching, refereeing, tournament management, and equipment repair are the available options. This requirement deepens the athlete's ability to be involved in fencing, it allows them to work in the fencing community and make some money, and it provides them a foundation for skills that will aid them in college and the professional world. Athletes are also expected to have the skills to go to competitions and perform without having excessive oversight
Youth athletes train together Saturday afternoons from 2:30 - 5:00pm with 30 minutes afterwards available for additional bouting and drilling time. During the week they have several opportunities to train in classes for their specific fencing discipline (foil, sabre, or epee), as well as opportunities for bouting, drilling, and one on one lessons with our experienced coaches. Our athletes have the opportunity to train alongside University of Maryland Baltimore County's fencing team, as well as several athletes who have medaled or won at national events, and some athletes who have competed internationally. Special clinics as well as tournaments hosted at the club are routinely scheduled for Sundays. Club members and students enjoy an environment that is structured and family oriented. Community among the members is constantly stressed. The coaching staff is 100% dedicated to developing a supportive cadre of fencers and supporters of fencing that are knowledgeable, dedicated and committed to the growth of the sport. TriWeapon Fencing Club, and Salle Palasz were founded by the late Richard Oles, fencing master. They are the longest running extant fencing clubs in Maryland. The clubs are currently being run by the combined efforts of members of Coach Oles's family, and his students. Please contact us if you are interested in getting your son or daughter started in fencing, or moving them towards a more competitive level. Salle Palasz welcomes men and women fencers any weeknight we are open. Lessons and bouting are available in all 3 weapons. Beginner classes are held on Saturdays from 12:30pm - 2:00pm. Athletes in our Tri-Weapon program seeking greater competitive advancement can schedule individual lessons with their coach for a reasonable added cost.
