Fencing
Offering fencers of all ages and all abilities the chance to learn from Olympic-level coaches.
Summer Fencing Camps
Our camps are designed for both beginners and experienced fencers, with age-appropriate groupings.
Ottawa Developmental Fencing Circuit
The ODFC provides local, beginner-friendly competitionsdesigned to help fencers gain experience in a supportive and development-focused environment.
Private Lessons
By isolating key skills and providing immediate feedback, private coaching helps fencer from all disciplines gain confidence, precision, and competitive advantage—on the floor, stage, or ice.
Birthday Parties
Hold an amazing party for your child! Take advantage of all Ottawa has to offer fencer a merge of discipline.
Sport-Études
Ottawa Fencing’s Sport-Études Program is designed for motivated student-athletes who are ready to pursue fencing at a higher level while successfully balancing their academic studies.
School Visits
Ottawa Fencing offers engaging school visit and outreach programs designed to introduce students to the sport of fencing in a safe, fun, and educational environment.
Paul ApSimon - Head Coach
Ottawa Fencing operates under the direction of Head Coach Paul ApSimon, a Level 4 NCCP–certified coach and holder of the Advanced Coaching Diploma (ACD).
Paul has served as Team Leader and Foil Coach for Canada at four Olympic Games — Sydney 2000, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020 — making him one of the most experienced high-performance fencing coaches in the country. In addition, Paul coached Modern Pentathlon for Team Canada at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games, contributing to Canada’s multi-sport high-performance programs.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Paul coached the Canadian Women’s Foil program, which finished the Games as the second-best nation in women’s foil overall, highlighted by a 5th-place finish in the team event, along with one top-8 and two top-16 individual results.
At the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Paul coached Eleanor Harvey to a seventh-place finish, the best Olympic result ever achieved by a Canadian fencer at the time. During the same Games, Ottawa Fencing athlete Melanie McCann delivered a historic performance in Modern Pentathlon fencing, setting a Canadian record and placing 2nd overall in the fencing event.
Most recently, Paul coached Trinity Lowthian to a historic fifth-place finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, a Canadian record and the best result ever achieved by Canada in wheelchair fencing.
Paul also played a key role in Canadian fencing history by helping lead the Canadian Women’s Foil Team to its first-ever Pan American Games Gold Medal, achieved at the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games.
With decades of international coaching experience, Paul brings a proven record of athlete development, international success, and long-term performance planning to Ottawa Fencing’s programs at every level.
More Than Just a Sport—It’s a Community
Stories from the Piste
My son started in the beginner program and was quite shy at first. The coaches at Ottawa Fencing, especially Rayanne, were incredibly patient. Fast forward a year, and he has so much confidence and focus. It’s wonderful to see him find a sport he truly loves.
Sarah Jenkins, Parent
Training under Paul ApSimon has been a game-changer for my fencing career. The level of technical detail and strategic insight available here is Olympic-standard. If you are serious about competitive fencing, this is the only place to be in Ottawa.
Marc D.
I always wanted to try fencing but thought I was too old to start. I was wrong! The adult recreational group is welcoming, fun, and a fantastic workout. It’s the highlight of my week to come in, disconnect from work, and focus on the bout.
Elena R.
Balancing high school and high-level sport is hard, but the Sport-Études program makes it possible. The daytime training schedule allows me to excel in my studies while getting the hours on the piste I need to compete nationally.
Liam T.
We came for the fencing, but we stayed for the community. The partnership with TRYumph Gymnastics creates such a vibrant, athletic atmosphere. The facilities are top-notch, and the vibe is always positive and encouraging.
David & Jessica, Parents