AFM Epee Camp with Columbia's Head Coach Michael Aufrichtig

A 2-day epee camp with Columbia University Head Coach Michael Aufrichtig.

This camp will bring your game to the next level and allow you to acquire a unique insight into collegiate fencing and strategies. This is also a unique opportunity to closely work with one of the best fencing head coaches in NCAA in general and in the Ivy League in particular.

As one of the most knowledgeable and well-connected figures in fencing, in New York City and across the nation, Michael Aufrichtig is in his 16th year as the Head Men's and Women's Fencing Coach at Columbia University. After being named to his current position on June 28, 2011, Aufrichtig has built Columbia Fencing into a national power. Since 2011, Aufrichtig has guided Columbia Fencing to three national team championships (2015, 2016, 2019), 16 total Ivy League team titles, including 9 men's titles and 7 women's titles, 7 Individual NCAA titles, and countless No. 1 national rankings on both the men's and women's sides.

In addition, Columbia has finished no lower than third place at the NCAA Fencing championships since the 2014-15 season. On an individual scale, 7 fencers have claimed individual national championships, 72 have earned All-America honors, 125 fencers out of a possible 144 spots have qualified for the NCAA Championships, five have won Ivy League titles, and 88 earned All-Ivy League honorees.Coach Aufrichtig, coaching style is all about helping fencers maximize their potential.

His unique approach focusing on scenario-based practices has helped performance in what many fencers call high-pressured situations when the score is 14-14 or 4-4. Coach Aufrichtig will spend two days with us discussing what he calls “The next Touch to This Touch mentality", Confidence, Focus, Strip awareness for tactics, and sharing drills the Columbia Fencing team does to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. The outcome of this two-day camp will be to provide ideas and tools to use for confidence on the strip, build important habits, and introduce breakthroughs to perform better at competitions.

Watch a famous TED talk that coach Aufrichtig gave a few years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfYxp4djCNM&t=2s

For AFM fencers who attended coach Aufrichtig's clinic last season, this was an exceptional experience resulting in their significant improvements in competitions. Many attributed their success to better mental state at the competition achieved using learned techniques in this camp.

Age and fencing level requirements:

-- Open to any and all epee fencers 2013 and older (Y12 fencers must be on a national points list)

-- At least 2 years of experience, including at least 1 year of competitive experience at the regional or national level

Fees:

--$350 Early bird for 2 days camp - if registered on or before 8/22/2026

-- $450 Regular price for 2 days camp - if registered between 8/23-9/10/2026

-- 1 day fees: $200 for Saturday; $250 for Sunday

-- walk-ins, paid in cash or check only. Admission would be per the discretion of the camp organizers

Space is limited, early registration is encouraged.

Camp hours:

Saturday, September 12, 2026:

-- 3pm-7pm; 45 min break in the middle

Sunday, September 13, 2026:

-- 1st session 10am - 12:30pm

-- break - 12:30pm-1:30pm

-- 2nd session - 1:30pm-4pm

Refund and Cancellation Policy:

-- Refund request must be made in writing (email) no later than August 20, 2026.

-- Refund will be issued for $300, $50 is non-refundable. A refund check will be sent to the specified in the email address within one week after completion of the camp.

-- No Refunds or credits on or after August 21st, 2026, regardless of the reason (including medical)

What to bring:

-- Full fencing gear competition ready (including long socks, knickers, at least 2 sets of epees and body cords)

-- t-shirts/shorts to change

-- snack and lunch

-- water