In the beginning

[Larrison]

I spent 6 years in college in a rather intensive physical science program, then started working after completing 2 degrees. I found I had for a change, some spare time and had always wanted to try fencing -- something I had no time for in college. The local community college had a fencing class taught in the evenings at a local high school -- so I started attending and learned the basics. Then I found a local club (the instructor in the course provided a list of local clubs), and I started participating with them 2-3 nights a week. I enjoyed the sport tremendously, and within about a year was one of the top 3-4 fencers in the club. The club, besides having some really cute girls in it, was quite active with opportunities to fence 3-4 nights a week, and also "taught" fencing at the local Rennaisance Faire as a fundrasier. I enjoyed this for 6-7 years, but finally had to bow out of fencing when I went back to school part time while working full time to complete my MBA. Then one thing and another I didn't pick it up again for about 15 years.

Now I'm back starting through the program while sponsoring a 14 year old, and relearning everything -- well, almost everything. I'm giving my opponents probably 20 years on average, but doing OK. And yes, I still love the sport even if my speed is down and my instincts are rusty.

[bg0687]

My mom asked me to try fencing as a Freshman in high school. I naturally said fencing is "gay." She said fine and that was the end of that. As a sophmore she asked me again and I agreed. I was tired of doing cross-country, a sport where I was non-competitive. I went to my local fencing club and the rest is history.

[the doc]

didn't get picked for my house rugby team at school and fencing was all that was left to do. so i went along. it was the last week of term and they were having a mini competition for those who had done it all term. i took part in the competition too and even though it was the first time i had ever picked up a sword i manged to win a fight. i thought there may be something in this and carried it on the next term. 12 years later here i still am (not counting the 4 year break!)

[mrbiggs]

A recreational fencing class by a local coach for ages 8-12, I think. I'm pretty sure me and by brother are the only ones in the class still fencing...

[schaaf]

in High School, my friends and I were obsessed with "braveheart" and we were also drama nerds. We ended up doing a renaissance festival at an elementary school in town and our drama teacher set up some basic lessons with this fencing coach (so we wouldn’t kill ourselves or the kiddies) I ended up taking foil for a year and a half with the longer term goal of doing epee. <insert massive college break with no fencing here.> So now im going back because i found a club that does epee as well.

yea.

[jBirch]

It seemed martial and interesting. I was reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy and there always seemed to be a swordfight. Figured I should learn.

In university, it was hard to find clubs that played football, hockey, rugby or baseball without being semi-professional and I was good enough to play well, but certainly not that level of competence. It was impossible to find an archery, canoing or shooting club so individual sports like that were out as well. Any club I did find, wanted massive amounts of money to let me play. The outdoor club was expensive and I paid my own way through university so money was tight (though hangliding, parachuting and rock climbing are definitely things on the todo list). Without knowing enough people to get a team started for intramurals (though I did play volleyball), the only sports left to play were swimming, judo and fencing. I hate swimming and the Judo class was the day after fencing. 'Nuff said. Though I did try Judo and fencing for a while. That was fun. Till exams...

'Course once I did try it out, I was hooked. Been hooked ever since.

[SOA9286]

I've always been into the romance of the middle ages..one of my first obsessions as a student in my young days was King Arthur and his knights..and then I remember watching the Atlanta Olympics (I was 10) and fencing..couldn't tell you who was competing..but I was hooked. Then the Philly Inquirer had a cover story on the Olympics and two fencers, one lunging, one retreating (epeeist's I believe)...all white Uni's on an all black uniform and I was in awe.

No programs were offered near me, and then I got to school here and now I love fencing!

[SenorEste]

My mother did'nt allow me to have toy guns as a young child, yet swords were OK- I think that initially sparked my interest. I enjoyed sword history/movies/combat/pictures/whatever very much as a child, I knew about fencing as a sport, but never figured I'd have the opprotunity to try it.

I tried several team sports during childhood: soccer, baseball, and roller hockey. I got hooked on karate for a few years in elementary/middle school, and really enjoyed the individualistic nature of the sport- if i failed or succeded it depended upon my efforts. I still enjoy the individual aspect of fencing.

I soon grew tired of karate, and learned that a fencing class was offered at the same location where i was taking karate. One class, I was hooked. I had 2 excelent coaches here, and learned

I fenced for 5 or 6 years up until my junior year of high school, and then took 2 years off, where time and access to fencing were limited- Ultimate Frisbee, building robots, and rugby took fencing's place.

Now I'm a freshman at a college with a Division I fencing team; I'm fencing/training/competing 12+ hours a week- it feels great. The coaches are awesome, the team is wonderful.

yah, fencing rules.

[jeff]

My high school (Brooklyn Tech, where both Smarts went) had a strong fencing team. Every year they did a recruitment demonstration for the freshmen - I was looking for a sport to take up, and this looked just great, so I went for team tryouts. 35 years ago...

Morion - that's great news - I hope it continues to give you health benefits fighting of diabetes. You should be proud of what you've been able to do for yourself!

[JackSparrow]

The way Milanoli biatch slapped the French in a psychological way, and the way DiMartino tried to out slap Milanoli was great. Just great.

I saw that team match. I thought Milanoli was a real arrogant git. It's the only time I've seen him fence, (I'm a foilist) but he seemed to spend most of his time taunting his opponents or doing completely over the top dancing (in you face celebrations), every time he scored. When his blade hit DiMartino in the face after the hault, I was sure it warranted a card. He's certainly no hero of mine. I was gutted when France lost.

[sreckiki]

It was 30-29 or 29-28 for the Italians, not 45-44.

Sorry, at this time, I didn't know (and I didn't get) all the rules and what the minute was!