Business Details
26 Years
experience
Premier Fencing Training in Bellevue, WA
Rain City Fencing Center was founded in 2000 by Barbara Todd Heiner, Steve Colton, and Greg Jones with Maestro Garik Balayan. Starting with a small group of students, we have grown to become Washington State's premier junior fencing program, teaching thousands through classes, summer camps, and school programs. Our competitive program has produced fencers who compete locally, nationally, and internationally. Our state-of-the-art facility in Bellevue allows us to offer expanded opportunities for all ages and skill levels. We focus on developing junior fencers for national success while helping every athlete achieve their personal goals.Our experienced coaches combine technical expertise with a passion for the sport to create a supportive learning environment. We maintain strong partnerships with USA Fencing and other organizations to ensure high standards of training and competition. Our facility also hosts special events, clinics with Olympians, and training camps led by nationally ranked athletes. We provide comprehensive equipment guidance for beginners and maintain strict safety protocols for all participants. Through our programs, we aim to foster discipline, physical fitness, and competitive spirit in a welcoming community setting.
Services
Fencing Classes
Summer Camps
Equipment Rental
Competitive Training
Private Lessons
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer Olympic-style fencing training since 2000 with nationally ranked coaches
- Our state-of-the-art facility supports athletes from beginner to international levels
- We've produced multiple national medalists in junior fencing competitions
- We provide age-appropriate programs for children starting at age 8 through adults
- Our summer camps combine technical training with competitive skill development
Associations and certifications
- USA Fencing
What people say
Expert coaching staff
Excellent competitive program
Great summer camps
Professional facility
Skilled instructors
Services
Fencing Classes
We offer structured fencing classes for all skill levels from beginners to advanced competitors. Our curriculum includes foil, epee, and saber training with expert coaching. Classes are available for children starting at age 8 through adults with flexible scheduling options.
Summer Camps
Our intensive summer programs provide technical training and competitive development for beginning to elite fencers. Half-day camps run July-August with specialized instruction tracks for different skill levels and age groups.
Competitive Training
We prepare athletes for local, national, and international competitions with personalized coaching and tournament preparation. Our program includes advanced technique development, competition strategy, and physical conditioning tailored to competitive fencers.
Private Lessons
One-on-one instruction sessions focus on personalized skill development and technique refinement. Lessons are available for all weapon types with scheduling flexibility to accommodate individual needs and competitive goals.
Equipment Rental
We provide properly maintained fencing equipment for rent to beginners and developing athletes. Our rental program includes all necessary gear with expert guidance on proper selection and usage for safe training and competition.
People
Barbara Todd Heiner
Founder
Co-founder with over two decades of experience developing fencing programs for youth and adult athletes in the Pacific Northwest region.
Steve Colton
Founder
Established Rain City Fencing Center in 2000 with a vision to create accessible Olympic-style fencing opportunities for Washington State athletes.
Greg Jones
Founder
Co-founder instrumental in developing the club's competitive training programs that have produced multiple national medalists since inception.
Edriss Ndiaye
Foil Coach
Nationally ranked foil fencer and instructor who leads elite training camps and develops advanced technical skills in competitive athletes.
Arwen Borowiak
Foil Coach
Olympic-level foil specialist who co-leads high-performance training programs and prepares athletes for national competition standards.
Questions
What fencing disciplines do you offer?
We offer Olympic-style foil, epee, and saber training for all skill levels from beginner to elite competition.
What age groups do you accept?
We accept students starting at age 8 through adults with age-appropriate classes and competitive divisions.
Do you provide equipment?
We offer equipment rentals for beginners and guidance on proper gear selection for all training and competition needs.
Are there competitive opportunities?
Yes, we prepare athletes for local, national, and international competitions with structured competitive training programs.
What's the new insurance requirement?
As of August 2023, most participants need individual USA Fencing membership for insurance coverage during training and competitions.
How do I find class schedules?
Current schedules are available on our website with fall, winter, and summer program options for all skill levels.
