Michael Olson and Abbey Salvas have kids in Mattapoisett en garde.

The fencing coaches recently completed their first round of lessons with kids, offered through Mattapoisett Recreation, and the program’s popularity has already lead to another round.

“We’re really trying to set the groundwork for them to have a future in fencing, if that’s what they want to do,” said Olson.

He and Salvas, who come from the Rhode Island-based Blackstone Valley Fencing Academy, are both competitive fencers, and said their academy teaches fencing hopefuls of all ages.

“I’ve taught fencers as old as 65,” said Olson. “You can start fencing at any age. It’s never too late, it’s never too early.”

In Mattapoisett, the age range is 7 to 13, and all the participants are beginners.

The lessons so far have “a lot to do with teaching them the basics of form, how to stand, how to move, how to move their blade,” said Salvas.

Kids also learn etiquette, an important part of the sport. Before facing off against their opponents, fencers salute each other, and they always shake hands after a match.

“There’s a lot of respect involved,” Salvas said.

Unlike the swashbucklers in literature and the movies, the swords used in this fencing program are épées, which have a narrow blade with a blunt tip.

First-time fencer Jackson Sylvaria may have expected the more romanticized version of fencing, but his mother, Dale, said he’s enjoyed learning the sport.

She and her husband got him the MattRec lessons for Christmas.

“He’s been wanting fencing lessons for years. He was so excited,” said Dale.

The experience has been positive, and they’re planning to sign Jackson up for the spring lessons.

“These coaches are awesome,” Dale said. “They’re so kid friendly and patient.”

She said Jackson practices at home all the time, and he told his parents he likes 92 percent of the sport.

And it is a sport, one that can have a special appeal for some kids who haven’t enjoyed other mainstream pastimes.

Said Olson: “We find that it can be a good fit for younger fencers that haven’t been able to find a sport that really worked for them.”

“I tend to think it’s more mentally stimulating than some other sports, specifically the way we teach it,” said Salvas. “That’s what really drew me to it as a kid – that there was a mental challenge to it as well as a physical challenge.”

There is no pressure to compete, but those who are interested in attending tournaments will be ready in six to eight weeks, said Olson.

“It’s about making sure they’re comfortable with what’s happening and what’s going on. If not, it’s not fun, and if it’s not fun they don’t want to do it,” he said.

Olson and Salvas said they are looking forward to continuing the lessons with their students in Mattapoisett.

“We’ve been very pleased with the way things have been going so far,” said Olson.