Is anybody here into fencing?

[chatfsh]

I'm seriously thinking about taking up the sport. A friend of mine invited me to a fencing tournament and asked if I'd like to join.  I think it would be really cool...and I've secretly wanted to do it for some time.  I think the idea of being a girl who can skillfully wield a sword (rapier/epee/foil) is really awesome.  Don't you?

Is anyone else out there into the sport?  Any advice? :)

[nemafakei]

Yeah, I used to fence (I've not had much time in the past year or two, in fact it must be almost exactly two years since I've fenced). As to advice, I'd say make sure your friend has access to a lot of kit, a club or something. Fencing is quite expensive, so expect to be borrowing slightly low-quality equimpent until you can get your own. Make sure you've at least done a bit and know a few of the rules before going to a competition, and you might want to tell the president you're a bit new when you get there if you've not had much experience.

A quick guide to the weapons:

Ep

[Tezcatlipoca]

I've fenced a bit in my time; foil.

I come from a city which tends to supply the US olympic fencing team with members so it tends to be even more expensive... so I usually only do it with siblings/friends when the chance arises.

But.. I'd say go for it.

Here's the bad of it:

As Nema mentioned, you'll have to start off renting equipment or borrowing it, and it's always smelly...

Initially, you'll end up with blisters all up and down some of your fingers if you do it a few hours each day (or at least I did, then you learn to relax your grip).

If you're the type to avoid excersize or muscle toning and think fencing is a good mild sport (it might seem odd that people think this but... heh they do) you're in for a suprise. It takes a heck of a lot of endurance, and a lot of leg strength.

You're getting poked with pointy things, and the padding isn't all that thick. I never had a problem with it, but most of the new people I've fenced complained about it.

It isn't just "fighting with swords." In fact.. it really isn't that all. It is a sport, and as Nema explained, there's definate rules that would obviously be contrary to a "real" sword fight.

Like most things, it takes a lot of time and a lot of practice to get used to.

The good:

It's damned awesome.

You *will* get a lot of excersize, and build quite a bit of leg meat in the process.

It can get real personal, since you're not really working togeather with the rest of your team so much as working for an individual win each time (in my experience). But since I've never ran into anyone that wasn't really friendly, you'll have a lot of fun with everyone you play with and against.

You can always wash the smellyness off (usually).

Your agility (percenption/movement, and perception/thinking) will improve a lot if you force it to.

If you ever get into a low-brow fist-fight, it'll actually serve you well :P

But again, if you have the opportunity, go for it. You can always stop if you find it doesn't suit you. Just try not to be discouraged if you find you can't just jump right into it. And seek out those at your skill level to practice against. Nothing is more disillusioning then fighting someone that's really good and losing miserably (of course, when you score a point on them it all worth it ;))

[number6]

I am an active competitive fencer here in  the USA and I would say find a decent club in your area or if you are going to college see if your school has a fencing team. If you are in a club you need to eventually join the USFA . On the membermap it shows you live in North Carolina here is a link to your USFA Division.

I personally fence Epee only. Here is an image of me fencing a while back at my club

I am the fencer on the right.

[lowzeewee]

If anyone needs me to mend their fences for them, I can do it for US$3/sq metre.

[chatfsh]

Thank you all for your responses, guidance and advice...except JackLeaf :P

At this particular tournament, there was a decent amount of female representation, not much really, but enough to make me feel comfortable with joining.  Do you generally feel that females are welcomed in the fencing world?  From what I've seen of the local fencing clubs where I live, it's very male dominated (which doesn't bother me, most of my friends are males anyway as I prefer their company).

[number6]

Of course women are welcome. My current coach is a woman and after I get a lesson from her we bout. She usually kicks my butt. A lot of the competitions I go to I see quite a few female fencers and I fence them regularly.  So I would say if you really want to give it a try go for it.

You should probably start off with realistic expectations though. I takes a lot of training for most people to get good at fencing. You probably should not pick up a blade until you have some level of proficiency with the footwork involved. Fencing as a sport nowadays relies heavily on your ability to keep the proper distance from your opponent. After you have solid footwork you will be able to focus on the blade actions and start formulating tactics to score against your opponents. Once you start bouting you will really know if fencing is the sport for you or not. It takes time to get to the level where you can really enjoy fencing and most people are not ready for that level of committment.

[chatfsh]

Well that's certainly good to hear.  So...your female instructor can kick your butt at fencing...I think I could really get into this sport. ;)

I'll check with my local club to get more information around the classes being offered. My life is quite hectic as it is, but fencing might be worth reshuffling the deck a bit.  I'll let you know what becomes of it. Thanks!

Cool picture by the way. 8)

[number6]

Yes, fencing is a sport where strength and brute force are not important. Think of fencing as a game of chess at lightning speed. Ultimately you need to be able to outhink your opponent and have the proper motor reflexes programmed into you so you react accordingly.

I wish you the best of luck with fencing. I think you will like it, but I will admit it is not for everyone.

As far as the picture goes, thanks. That picture was taken in late 2004 at my club. You can view all of my clubs picures here. You may also check out a my club here.

[chatfsh]

I like the chess analogy. My adrenalin is really starting to flow.  I sooo want to do this!!

I liked the pictures...not many females though.  So I'd be one of the only ones handing out with a bunch of guys...what else is new?

[chatfsh]

Just attended my first fencing class this evening.  I LIKE it! ;D (I know it

[Andrew]

I would assume at first they would introduce you to each weapon, to see which you might like first (it would be good to have basic training in each, no? :))?

[Egeides]

You have two hands and one foot free, no problem.

[veK]

don't be offended by my opinion but I think fencing is a bit gay.

for me it's like a "coward-version" of any kind of martial arts sword- or stickfighting.

[Tezcatlipoca]

It isn't the fencers you should be worried about offending with that statement, it's the world's population of homosexuals.

[chatfsh]

I would assume at first they would introduce you to each weapon, to see which you might like first (it would be good to have basic training in each, no? :))?

Initially, that's what I thought, but it is not the case.  This instructor wants all of his students to be thoroughly trained on each weapon.  Meaning you don't eventually choose one and stick with it, you master them all.

By the way, woke up this morning with a sore arm and thighs due to all the lunging, thrusting, and all around physical exertion.  I will not dignify Re-vek's comment with anything further. :P

However, Egeides, the thought of being able to wield a sword in each hand is intriguing. But I don't think that's what the instructor had in mind. 8)

[number6]

The fencing master that runs my club does a psych eval of all new members and he decides what weapon you specialize in based on your personality. Basically if you are super aggressive he makes you a Saber fencer. If you are very cautious he makes you an Epee fencer. If you are somewhere in between cautious and aggressive you become a foil fencer. It seems to work well for most members.

I think it is helpful to know all 3 weapons. I know in my area there is a severe shortage of Saber fencers and it is hard to run Saber events. So I can understand why your club is pushing proficiency in all 3 weapons. The master that runs my club is very tradition minded and he is quite set in his ways so I doubt my club will ever teach new members all 3 weapons.

Here is an excellent article about my club's fencing master. He is not the most politically correct person in the world, but he is really a greatt teacher of fencing.

[Egeides]

don't be offended by my opinion but I think fencing is a bit gay.

for me it's like a "coward-version" of any kind of martial arts sword- or stickfighting.

Funny you say that... it was considered as the macho thing :P

It was the most efficient way to kill, after all...

[chatfsh]

I think it is helpful to know all 3 weapons. I know in my area there is a severe shortage of Saber fencers and it is hard to run Saber events. So I can understand why your club is pushing proficiency in all 3 weapons.

I actually like the idea of developing proficiency with all three weapons.  This instructor seems to know what he

[number6]

I actually like the idea of developing proficiency with all three weapons.   This instructor seems to know what he

[chatfsh]

I wish you the best of luck with your fencing. Perhaps one day we may meet on the fencing strip and test each others skills with an Epee?

Well sure, but...you'd have to agree to fence left handed in order to compensate for the fact that you have 18 more years of experience with an Epee.  ;)

[number6]

Sure I can do that. I actually know a fencer who can fence equally well left or right handed. I find it difficult fencing lefties myself.

[chatfsh]

Then it's a deal.  8)

Good luck with your competition this weekend.  Let us know how you did. :)

[number6]

The competition went very well today. It was a Mixed 3 weapon team event. A 3 weapon team consists of 3 fencers one in each weapon. Mixed simply means the team can be composed of men and women. My club fielded one team and hosted the event. There were 4 other teams, 2 from 2 different clubs. University of Maryland (UM) had an A and B team and Tri Weapons Club (TWC) had an A and B team. My team had a 3-1 record and the UM A team had a 3-1 record so we were tied for first place. We fenced off for first place and beat the UM A team 15-14. It was a good competition. Lots of good fencers, some highly rated (there was a B rated epee fencer on the UM A team). During the epee portion I did very well winning almost all my bouts which was critical in 2 of the rounds. I had some trouble with the B rated epee fencer, but I was able to limit the amount of points he could score against me and I got in a few well placed hits (one right in the middle of his chest after a parry riposte). So I am very pleased with the outcome. I have another gold medal to put on display.

[chatfsh]

BRAVO!!! Very well done!  How many gold medals do you have??

Did I say you must fence me left-handed?  Well, I meant left-handed and blindfolded.  That should just about even the playing field.

I can't wait for Monday for my first official lesson.  The Grand Master/coach's name is Alan Blakeborough. Have you crossed swords with him before?