What age did you start fencing?

[Mr Epee]

Should be simple enough...

When did you start fencing?

Vote by your age group!

[D+F+P=Hadouken!]

I guess 12 actually. I was 12 and 1/2 when I first took up the sport. Its amazing how far I've come in that short a time, though it feels like it has taken forever.

[Alain]

Started when I was 9... unfortunately, I'm pretty much the same height now as I was then

[schlager7]

I was 39, practically a veteran before I started!

Seriously, if you weren't in college, fencing was pretty hard to find in Texas back before everyone and their cousin had a web site. Fencing in the yellow pages ran more to picket, chain-link and (as we say down here) bob-wahr varieties.

Happily for me, the local club ran notices in the local suburban weekly in my area and I finally looked at the right issue. I showed up for the next class session (Mergs was my instructor). He taught me that fencing was fun. I met my wife there and I've never looked back.

I am still more a recreational fencer than anything else, but I'd miss it terribly if I had to give up those 2-3 nights per week.

[RebelFencer]

I started last year at the tender age of 18.

[Mr Epee]

Wow!

42 votes in two hours!!!

[ThatReallyHurt]

Well, that's what happens when it's a neat poll that's easy to answer.

[Pancakes]

16. I don't know if that's cadet or junior.

[Zilverzmurfen]

I was 21. I so hope I had taken it up at an earlier age as I love it!

[Welted 24/7]

13 when I started, although my only real training has come in the past year and a half. Makes me feel lousy for all the wasted opportunities...I should be a lot better for fencing for six years.

[parrythis]

Should be simple enough...

You would think so, but...

I took my first class when I was in my 20's. I played with it off and on (more off than on) all of my life, but it was not until I was well into the "veteran" age group that I started getting really serious about it.

[Larrison]

Started post-college, post-grad school, at around age 25 or so. Was not offered in high school or earlier in my area, and was not offered in college even as a club sport. And when I finally started fencing, it was through an evening program with the local parks and recreation group, which led me to finding a local club, and etc.

[Lefty1]

Oops,

I meant to press U-10..darn.

[SamIam]

Started when I was at Uni, about 20 I think. Needed some sport to keep me sane and to be involved in a social group outside my faculty. Of all the sports I tried that first year it's the only one I seriously pursued, mostly at the varsity and invitational levels. When I left school I sort of let it slide as work and other interests took over.

Chronic injuries at the time helped in the decision. It's good to be back.

[Orangeaholic]

6 and a half

[Inquartata]

The first six categories overlap! Poll is flawed, FLAWED I tell you!

[Army Fencer]

Is 14 cadet or youth?

[Orangeaholic]

Both- there is a Y-14 event though.

[glowstix]

24...its been 2 years exactly.

[mackillian]

Wow, I started at 24 too. Except for me, it's been only nearly a year.