Dayton, New Jersey • Since 2012

Turn Curiosity Into
Championship
Confidence

Olympic-trained fencing coaching for kids, teens & adults in Middlesex County, NJ: group classes, private lessons, and camps from beginner to competitive.

200+ students

★★★★★

5-star rated

USA Certified

  • USA Fencing Certified
  • Tournament Champions Trained
  • Ivy League Placements
  • Dayton, NJ 08810
  • Ages 6 & Up
What We Offer

Training Built Around Your Goals

Whether your child is picking up a sword for the first time or competing at nationals, we have a program designed for exactly where they are.

UFA students of all ages at a national fencing tournament in Dayton NJ

Ages 6+ • All Levels

Group Classes

Structured weekly training in small groups where every student gets real coaching attention, not just time on the clock.

  • Beginner through advanced tracks
  • Footwork, bladework & strategy
  • Clear skill progressions each session
View Group Classes →
Head coach giving strategy instructions to a student fencer before a bout

All Ages • All Levels

Private Lessons

One-on-one sessions with our head coach. The fastest way to accelerate technique, fix specific habits, or prepare for a competition.

  • 100% personalised to your athlete
  • Accelerated skill development
  • Competition prep & performance coaching
  • College recruiting guidance available
Book a Private Session →
Summer camp fencing drills — students training in formation at Ultimate Fencing Academy

Ages 6–17 • Limited Spots

Camps

Intensive multi-week programs in June and July. The best way to build a serious foundation or sharpen skills before the fall season.

  • Morning and afternoon sessions
  • Equipment provided. Just show up.
  • Beginner and advanced tracks
  • Early registration discounts available
View Camp Dates →
Why Families Choose Us

Not Just Classes. A System.

Most programs fill time. We build athletes. Here's what makes the difference.

Olympic-Trained Coaching

Not just certified: our head coach trained and competed at the Olympic level. That depth of knowledge changes what "good coaching" actually looks like.

Structured Progressions

We follow a clear developmental curriculum, not random drills. Students know where they are, what they're working toward, and how they're improving.

Individual Attention

Small group sizes by design. Every student leaves each session with specific feedback on what to practice, because generic instruction produces generic results.

Proven Outcomes

Tournament Champions. Ivy League athletics placements. These aren't aspirations: they are the documented results of our students. We can show you the names.

College Pathway Ready

Fencing opens doors at Ivy League and D1 schools that other sports can't. We actively coach students through recruiting, timelines, and the process that gets them in.

Fencing skills training at Ultimate Fencing Academy
Ultimate Fencing Academy Dayton, NJ · Since 2012
12+ Tournament Champions
200+ Students Trained
14+ Years in NJ
8 Ivy League Schools
Competition Results

From Our Gym to the National Stage

UFA students regularly place at USA Fencing-sanctioned national tournaments, from first-year competitors to national finalists.

Coach Mahmoud Elshal and UFA student celebrating after earning a medal at the American Challenge national fencing championship
American Challenge: Gold Medal
UFA student Anisha qualified for the 2026 USA Fencing Summer Nationals — Team USA backdrop
Qualified: 2026 USA Fencing Summer Nationals
Young UFA student on the winner's podium at Blue Gauntlet Fencing national tournament
Blue Gauntlet: Podium Finish, Age 9
Coach Mahmoud Elshal, founder of Ultimate Fencing Academy
Founder & Your Coach - Mahmoud Elshal

A Note From the Founder

I grew up competing. I was part of the Egyptian National Team and later coached our Olympic squad. When I came to New Jersey, what I kept noticing in youth fencing was the same problem I had seen elsewhere: kids were enrolled, not developed.

Most programs run sessions. We run progressions. Every student here has a clear path, gets corrected with specifics, and finishes every class knowing exactly what improved and what to work on next.

The one thing I will never adjust is the standard of coaching inside this gym. Not for enrollment numbers. Not for convenience. The quality stays.

Whether your child is picking up a blade for the first time or training for nationals, they will be coached the same way: with full attention and honest expectations.

Coach Mahmoud Elshal, founder of Ultimate Fencing Academy. Egyptian National Team fencer and Olympics coach.

Coach Mahmoud Elshal

Egyptian National Team Fencer & Olympics Coach

  • Egyptian National Team Fencer
  • Egyptian National Team Olympics Coach
  • Prevot Certified, USA Fencing Association
  • Certified, Egyptian Fencing Federation
  • Certified, General Syndicate of Sports Profession
Meet Our Coach
What Parents Say

Results That Speak

Families across Middlesex County trust UFA to develop their athletes, build discipline, and open doors they didn't know fencing could open.

★★★★★ 5.0 • Trusted by NJ families
Book Your Free Class
Camps 2026

Swords, Friends,
and a Summer
They Won't Forget

Two weeks of footwork drills, team games, and genuine sword fights led by Olympic-trained coaches. No experience needed. Ages 6-14. Every day is different, every day is a blast.

  • Rope drills, cone races, tug of war and sack races
  • Real blade work from day one
  • Olympic-trained coaches, small groups
  • All equipment provided, just show up
Campers doing rope coordination drill Coordination Drills
Camper jumping over blade in footwork exercise Agility Training
Campers playing tug of war at UFA summer camp Team Games
Kids racing in sack race at UFA summer camp Fun Challenges
The Advantage Most NJ Families Miss

Fencing Opens Ivy League Doors

Fencing is one of the least-recruited NCAA sports. Far fewer students compete for far more available spots, particularly at Ivy League and top-25 schools. For families in the Princeton corridor, this is not a small detail.

more likely to compete in college than most other sports athletes
See How We Prepare College-Track Athletes →
Coach Mahmoud Elshal Founder & Head Coach · UFA

Schools where UFA athletes compete

Harvard Harvard
Yale Yale
Princeton Princeton
Cornell Cornell
Columbia Columbia
Penn Penn
Dartmouth Dartmouth
Brown Brown
Stanford Stanford
Duke Duke
Northwestern Northwestern
Notre Dame Notre Dame
See all 24 universities →
Quick Answers

Common Questions

What age can my child start fencing?

We accept students from age 6. There's no upper age limit — we have adults who started in their 40s. Every age group trains separately so the pace is always appropriate.

Do I need to buy equipment before the first class?

No. All equipment — mask, jacket, glove, and épée — is provided for your free trial and for beginners in our group classes. We'll tell you what to purchase once your child is ready to commit.

How quickly do kids typically progress?

Most beginners are comfortable with fundamentals within 6–8 sessions. Competition-ready takes 3–6 months depending on frequency. Our structured curriculum means every student knows exactly where they are in the progression.

What's the difference between group classes and private lessons?

Group classes (capped at 8 students) follow the curriculum and are great for building fundamentals and competing. Private sessions are one-on-one: same coach, 100% of the time on your specific goals. Many students do both.

Is fencing a safe sport for kids?

Yes. Fencing is one of the safest full-contact sports. Participants are fully padded, blades are blunt, and USA Fencing safety protocols are followed in every session. Injuries are rare.

Can fencing help with college admissions?

Significantly. Fencing is one of the least-recruited NCAA sports, meaning far fewer athletes compete for far more available spots, especially at Ivy League and top-25 schools. We've guided students through the college fencing pathway. Learn more →

Your First Class Is Free.

No equipment needed. No commitment required. Just come see what structured fencing coaching looks like, and let your child decide.

Book Your Free Class

Available for all ages and skill levels • Dayton, NJ