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Member
Array 
Greetings... Well I'm a 25 year old From Los Angeles California getting into fencing for hobby and athletic purposes (Also closest I'll ever get to bieng a Jedi  ) I've always had interest in it but recently started looking deeply into it. Not sure what style or type of fencing I want to start with...wondering if one is more popular then the others? Anyhow any tips on starting up would be greatly appreciated. I thank you for your responses in advance. "live in your world, Die in mine."
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Senior Member
Array 
Yo, and welcome to the party. I take it you haven't checked out a club yet, right? At least that's what I can gather from the wording of your post. You might want to check out a club in your local area, sit in on a class, and ask some questions afterward. If you can spare a friday evening next week, feel free to drop by the W building of Pasadena City College between 5 and 9pm. It should give you some idea of what to expect if you wish to take up the sport on a recreational basis, though we do have a couple of serious competators that should be there as well. As to style or type of fencing, I highly reccomend foil and saber. 
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Member
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Yea never seen it in person or anything. I'll sit in on a club soon. Thanks for the advice. Also anywhere I can download some fencing matches just to wet my whistle a bit? "live in your world, Die in mine."
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Posting Hound
Array 
Do you want to be a Jedi? We do exist, you know.
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Member
Array
 Originally Posted by Go? Fencing? Do you want to be a Jedi? We do exist, you know.  "live in your world, Die in mine."
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Posting Hound
Array
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Member
Array
Awesome...they are now book marked "live in your world, Die in mine."
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Member
Array 
Welcome, CountAntonio!
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Senior Member
Array 
Welcome! I fence in the San Diego division, but I know that there are lots of good clubs in the LA area, so you should be able to find a club. Don't be afraid to stop in and check out several clubs before you choose one. When I moved here, I went "club shopping" and did research before choosing the one that was the best fit for me.
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Originally Posted by CountAntonio Well I'm a 25 year old From Los Angeles California getting into fencing for hobby and athletic purposes (Also closest I'll ever get to bieng a Jedi ) I've always had interest in it but recently started looking deeply into it. Not sure what style or type of fencing I want to start with...wondering if one is more popular then the others? Anyhow any tips on starting up would be greatly appreciated. I thank you for your responses in advance. Hmm.. you're in Downey? There are several nearby clubs that I'm aware of ...
Orange County Fencers Association/ Swashbucklers is probably the closest .. check out www.ocfa.net. Looks like their closest location is in Lakewood. They have several locations not too far from Downey and have recently gotten a permanant facility near Disneyland in Anaheim open for fencing Tues-Friday.
You might also check out South Coast Fencing in Santa Ana (www.southcoastfencing.com). They have a permanent facility open Tuesday-Saturday (Monday night Epee fencing is on hold, last I saw...)
or Fortune Fencing in Pasadena (www.fortunefencing.com)
There are lots of clubs in the LA/ Orange County area -- and probably several thousand fencers. There are active competitions just about every weekend. Check out the appropriate divisions at http://pcsfencing.com/divisions/ for an idea of what's available.
Now, these are sport fencing/ Olympic fencers. There are folks who do more historical stuff through the SCA, and some cross over between the two groups -- but the above organizations are modern Olympic-style sport fencing organizations. There are a few Kendo (Japanese sword) groups around SoCal, but I'm not aware of any near Downey, and some other oriental martial areas groups which do swordwork if you look around.
As for what to start with -- the typical process is to start with a beginning foil class. That will introduce you to the basic moves and terminology and get you started. You can then either progress to local competitions in foil (electrically scored) and more advanced training in foil, or move to other weapons (Sabre, Epee) with somewhat different techniques and rules. There are very active groups in all three weapons in SoCal in the clubs near Downey. If some weapon really calls to you early,you can skip over the introductory foil basics and go straight to that weapon, but it's most common to go through the beginning foil first.
As an aside.. I started fencing years ago through a club which met in Downey on Wednesday nights and was quite active. It's since changed/ mutated/ closed/ reopened/ moved ... but some of the fencers are still around.
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Senior Member
Array 
The purpose of tactic is to conquer the enemy with proper war movements and actions.
-Tactics of Emperor Leon 6th the Wise
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Member
Array
thank you all for this most warm reception and thank you alot Larrison for the great info. A question do these clubs charge for membership,classes both? I dont know how these work exactly and couldnt find anything n the website and i'm planning to go foil what should I buy for when I show up... "live in your world, Die in mine."
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Originally Posted by CountAntonio thank you all for this most warm reception and thank you alot Larrison for the great info. A question do these clubs charge for membership,classes both? I dont know how these work exactly and couldnt find anything n the website and i'm planning to go foil what should I buy for when I show up...
Sorry about the tardy reply -- work has just been gonzo this week. Most clubs have a group lessons cost (something through the local city parks & rec) that covers basic membership. IF you come other nights to fence, you'll need to pay a floor fee for use of the facility (typically $5 or $10). In some cases you can pay an annual fee and get up to unlimited use of the facilities, or get access to (additional cost) private coaching through the clubs. I'm not sure what the current options and prices are..
As for equipment, etc... Sign up a starters class and show up the the first day in sweatpants, t-shirt and comfortable shoes. They'll explain what is needed. Years ago when I started, the club I started with had a selection of "loaner student" equipment -- so if you were taking lessons, you could borrow from the club for the group lessons. Some clubs (like SCFC) don't really have loaner equipment and the students need to purchase a basic starter set. But the club will tell you the first lesson, and tell you what you need and usually can help on sizing and ordering if you need it.
If you take some lessons and like it, its always a good idea to buy your own basic kit. Most clubs have an arrangement with a supply house for preferred pricing and can help you with sizing, etc on what you need. Or you can go directly to a supplier through the internet/ mail order (closest ones are HOM fencing in Burbank area, the Fencing Post in Escondido, or American Fencer's Supply in San Francisco). A good basic (non competition) set up of a mask, glove, practice foil, and jacket will run maybe $150-160. You can sometimes show up at a local competition (or major competition) and there will be some vendors there from who you can buy your kit. But they may have limited supply on hand, and their priority will be serving the folks at the competition.
As for a priority for things to get...
A priority -- basic safety equipment to practice/ take lessons in. A good quality mask, protective fencing jacket, glove, and practice foil. I take lessons in the above plus sweat pants and cross training/ court shoes. shoes. But show up the first night and see what is available at the club for beginners.
B priority -- stuff to improve your ability to practice and bout.
A good pair of shoes. My recommendation is dont' go overboard with this until you get a good fell for what you like -- I use a good pair of gummed sole shoes designed for indoor courts, which cost about $45 at a local sporting good store.
C Priority -- *If* you want to move on into competition, you'll need to get two electric foils (you'll want a spare), a body cord (to provide the electrical connection), a plastron (protective half jacket for your underarm), an electrically conductive lame (for the electrical scoring system), and fencing pants (aka "knickers") and knee-high socks (I use soccer socks...) That will be more expensive -- maybe $300-400 or so for the set up. Plus to compete in the local US Fencing Assn tournaments you'll need a membership ($50) and pay the entrance fee ($10 most usually, but up to $70 or so)
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Member
Array
Thank you very much for all that info Larrison. "live in your world, Die in mine."
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