... and another beginner! Your beginner experience???

[fencingliz]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to fencing too (surprise ...) and I LOVE it! I never had the time or the idea how to get to a fencing club, when I was still living in Europe, but for some reason I got inspired here in So California to try out a fencing class!
I have almost finished my beginner course, so of course I'm still with foil. I have done already a lot of sports in my life, but I know that fencing is definetely one I will stick with and maybe get a bit "serious" about it one day. Although I just passed my 30 years , even if I still think I'm young (in mind?). Anyway -- we are as old/young as we feel, right?!
Of course I liked the musketeers movies too (and like everyone probably, I read the books too ) ....
What were your beginner experience in fencing?
Hard to keep up with?
Difficulties to remember all the technical terms?
Did you not get the feeling that it's really fun, once you have your weapon in your hand and an opponent? Although it's one of the most complicated sports to begin with (arms and legs coordination plus a bit of strategy already), it's also extremely relaxing! (for me at least ....)

Now enough talk from me! I wanna here from you others!

~ Fencingliz

[Zilverzmurfen]

Welcome to the forum and the sport!

Where in Europe are you from?

Hmm...one of the things I noticed at the initial stage when I took up fencing was that I became very aware of how I moved. I remember often thinking to myself (when walking) "Marché, marché, rompé, marché, rompé, rompé, marché" etc.

I also remember it took me a couple of months to stop "walking" during bouts and get my footwork more "flowing". It was a great change and a leap forward. My coach noticed it during my first competition (a small tournament at my club) and complimented me. To get my footwork sorted was an immediate improvement!

So...enough rambling. Have a nice weekend!

[Pauli]

Hey there

Another European leaving for the US? How did you get there, by marriage or were you lucky enough to win the green card.

No worries about the beginning at the tender age of 30. I only just started myself, am very much hooked and think it's one of the best sports I have done so far. And yes, decided to stick to it as well. For sure will. To me as well, I sometimes feel lost in the world of fencing terms and still read a lot, over and over again. But even that's fun.
I cannot speak of great experience, but I know, it's by experience that you get better....
So enjoy! And welcome to the green site, where rambling belongs to the order of the day....especially with zome memberzzzzzzz

[JackSparrow]

Hi fencingliz. Nice to have you with us. Always good to meet more foilists too.

[LUDICROUS]

I remember (all that time ago, one huuge long year ) when I first started, I would take one step at a time - Ie I would move my front foot, then my back foot, taking like 3 seconds to complete 1 fencing step

[Coup de Grace]

Fencingliz it is nice to meet you. I remember being so excited the first time I got to bout with the foil. I had a great time, but could not understand why my right hand and shoulder were sore the whole time. It got so bad, I had to shake my arm a few times. My parries were so very wide and out of control. I had such a deathgrip on the handle it felt like my arm was going to fall right out of my body.

It was my first night of fencing and I loved it.

Welcome.

[fencingliz]

Wow, you guys are quick with e-mailing, ! That's great! Thanks for all the welcoming words and to answer a couple of your questions: I grew up in Germany and lived for 5 years in South of France, before I moved in Jan 2004 to California.
And no, I am not married nor got a Green Card by lottery etc. I was just lucky to get "scouted" by my U.S. company. So here I am, with a working visa, by the way.
Back to fencing! I had my first little 'combats' today in our class. Yiipppeee! What a feeling to be able to use some simple defense and bout tactics!
Almost everything what you guys say seems to be very similar experience ... Coup de grace - my parries are sometimes too wide too! The most difficult thing for me though is to use my fingers only to disengage ... I think I still move my entire wrist/hand/arm!
What I realized is that once you fence against an opponent (I don't mean the practice), you seem to trust more your instincts -- all of a sudden, I could parry faster or do advance lunges/retreats in a more "natural" way
Well ... there will be a lot of practice and frustration, but I'm motivated! By the way, the usfencing.org web site states that fencing is one of the sports that you can begin even at a higher age!
And it seems as if you are all very enthusiastic about fencing!
Nice to "meet" you all!!!!

Fencingliz

[BrianH]

Fencingliz,

Welcome to the sport and the board! I hope you enjoy many years of fencing success--and just participating in it is a form of success.

I began fencing at age 32, and have loved it ever since then (25 years later!), so I would say it's never too late.

Enjoy!

Brian

[gh02t]

Welcome, its wonderful to see someone else enjoying this sport.
I came into fencing couple of years ago, when I was visiting a friend at NC State University. We were at the gym and noticed a fencing club and well... love at first strike.
I live in South Carolina, (with all of about 150 total USFA registered fencers) so when I got back home I had to track down a local club. Anyway, I found one that meets nearby, a wonderful group of people that I truly enjoy being around. The rest is history...
To be honest, I never really had much trouble with learning the techniques and terminology, it all seemed so natural to me and just kinda flowed.
And my weirdest habit when I began fencing was definately the tendancy to andvance and retreat randomly walking around regularly . Of course, I also had a bad habit of telling everybody I met about my new love, but who wouldn't?
I love the fencing community, it's rare that I find someone that I don't like, this is a wonderful bunch of people.
The best way to get to know somebody is through single combat, you really form bonds on the fencing strip.
I'm happy that I'm not the only one posting so late/early

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by gh02t

I'm happy that I'm not the only one posting so late/early

Uuuh...right.



I wonder what Liz is doing these days. Is she still fencing, is she still in California, is she still as enthusiastic as she was? Questions questions questions...

[VELISARIOS]

Hello and wellcome!!!

[WordRider]

Give ear Fencingliz:In that May God make come to pass God blocked it He would not let it be so in thy fencingLIFE.

espiritusaberTerrance