Starting soon.

[KaisRahl]

Hey im new to these forums and fencing in general but im starting in about a week at a club thats starting up at my school. Im 16 so I hope im not getting too much of a late start, lol. Just thought id introduce myself (Kais) and ask the apparently over-asked question,"What kind of fencer should I be(foil,epee,or sabre)." O and i also have rather long hair so will that need to be tied up or do those masks hold it all in pretty well?

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

Hey im new to these forums and fencing in general but im starting in about a week at a club thats starting up at my school. Im 16 so I hope im not getting too much of a late start, lol. Just thought id introduce myself (Kais) and ask the apparently over-asked question,"What kind of fencer should I be(foil,epee,or sabre)." O and i also have rather long hair so will that need to be tied up or do those masks hold it all in pretty well?

Hi and welcome to the forum and (soon) the sport!

Sixteen is not too old, it's a good age. Actually, any age is good to start as fencing is a sport for life.

As to your choice of weapon I imagine it would depend on what the coaches at your club teaches and what most fencers there fence. (You want opponents, right? )

If you have the possibility to try them all it's a good thing, then based on your 'feeling' for the weapons you can pick a favourite. Some people even continue doing all three weapons (especially so in the USA as I've understood, it's not so common where I live).

As for your hair I think it might be a good idea to tie it up in a pony tail or something, especially so if you'll be doing (electric) foil or sabre.

Best of luck, and remember at this stage to concentrate on just relaxing and having FUN. This is the key word that you'll have to remember throughout the years. Happy fencing!

[wheeringa]

Welcome Kais, I hope you have fun here (on the forum) and also wherever you are fencing. You are never too old to start fencing

[WordRider]

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

Hey im new to these forums and fencing in general but im starting in about a week at a club thats starting up at my school. Im 16 so I hope im not getting too much of a late start, lol. Just thought id introduce myself (Kais) and ask the apparently over-asked question,"What kind of fencer should I be(foil,epee,or sabre)." O and i also have rather long hair so will that need to be tied up or do those masks hold it all in pretty well?

Welcome to Fencing.net Discussion.I hope that you will be happy here and get all that you can from this little forum.The members are not bad here and love to chat.

The WordRider

[KaisRahl]

Thanks you guys for the warm welcome. And also for clearing up the question about my hair. As much as i completly and utterly hate the thought of wearing a ponytail, I suppose I will be able to handle it for a sport such as fencing. Because lets face it, who's gonna make fun of someone about their hair while their holding a sword?

[JackOfHearts]

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

Because lets face it, who's gonna make fun of someone about their hair while their holding a sword?

This one club mate of mine comes to mind. Though I remember the last time I threatened to give him a haircut. It was I that got the shearing. Anyways, remember that if you decide to take up saber. And believe it or not, it'll also add to target area if you don't tuck your hair in your jacket. I was fencing epee about two weeks ago. I missed my opponents mask, but I ended up with the point when my tip got caught in his ponytail. Anyways, Welcome and I hope you have fun.

[KaisRahl]

wow i had no idea that hair would set off the electric swords. Thats something I'll have to keep in mind. Thanks

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

wow i had no idea that hair would set off the electric swords. Thats something I'll have to keep in mind. Thanks

Remember, in épée your hair might provide extra target area (like Jack said, weapon getting tangled up in hair) whilst in foil and sabre it might cover target area -- which is a cardable offence if you're in a competition.

Post back and let us know how you found your first lesson!
It's always interesting to hear peoples reactions and comments.

[KaisRahl]

well my first lesson isnt until tuesday october 17th so it might be a while but ill definitely post afterwards

[KaisRahl]

Sweet!!! I had my first fencing lesson yesterday and it was a blast. I cant wait to get serious in this sport. Unfortunately we will not be able to actually duel(is that the right term?) for another two weeks as we have to get release forms. But my first lesson was very informative. Our club will be doing foil fencing only, but its ok because the person running it is a friend of mine who is an international fencer, so ill be able to learn a lot. Well, just thought id make a post about my first lesson, and ill probably riposte(hahaha im so funny) after my first duel.

-Kais

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

Unfortunately we will not be able to actually duel(is that the right term?)

You usually call it 'bouting' in english, or 'assaut'.

Originally Posted by KaisRahl

Well, just thought id make a post about my first lesson, and ill probably riposte(hahaha im so funny) after my first duel.

Cool, thanks for posting. Hope you'll enjoy the sport for many years, even though you'll be doing foil.

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

[quote=Zilverzmurfen]You usually call it 'bouting' in english, or 'assaut'.

I was surprised by the term "assault," but Zilverzmurfen is right. Technically, an "assault" is when you're not keeping score, and a "bout" is when you are (according to the USFA rule book).

Foil is the best, so you're good to go! Just keep in mind, if you arrive at a competition without combing your unruly locks and wearing a tee shirt which says "animal" on it, everyone will assume you're a saber fencer. And they will cross over to the other side of the venue so as to not be too close to you. Not showering for three or four days and having an unwashed uniform really completes the picture.

And watch for Zilverzmurfen's posts and comments: she's really smart and super nice (you can tell she NEVER fences saber!) Although I sometimes wonder if she has a job...she posts in every thread.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

I was surprised by the term "assault," but Zilverzmurfen is right. Technically, an "assault" is when you're not keeping score, and a "bout" is when you are (according to the USFA rule book).

Actually, if you re-read you will see that I wrote assaut and not assauLt!
(Though, without actually knowing french I suspect the two words are very closely related.)

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

And watch for Zilverzmurfen's posts and comments: she's really smart and super nice (you can tell she NEVER fences saber!) Although I sometimes wonder if she has a job...she posts in every thread.

Hey thanks! Though I do have a dayjob and I am known to have fenced both sabre and foil on a few occassions. (Hey, everybody likes to have a complete muppet in their poule, right? )

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

Actually, if you re-read you will see that I wrote assaut and not assauLt!
(Though, without actually knowing french I suspect the two words are very closely related.)

Hey thanks! Though I do have a dayjob and I am known to have fenced both sabre and foil on a few occassions. (Hey, everybody likes to have a complete muppet in their poule, right? )

OK...I think everyone needs to know what Zilverzmurfen does for a dayjob. She's not a bricklayer...we know that. Lawyer? Telemarketer? Come on, ZMurf, tell us!

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

OK...I think everyone needs to know what Zilverzmurfen does for a dayjob. She's not a bricklayer...we know that. Lawyer? Telemarketer? Come on, ZMurf, tell us!

You've clearly not had a look at my profile; I'm a grave looter by trade and habit!

[Beloit Fencer of Old]

Originally Posted by Zilverzmurfen

You've clearly not had a look at my profile; I'm a grave looter by trade and habit!

You said you have a DAY job...(read your post!), and grave looting is CLEARLY a night time occupation. So I am wondering about your DAY job. I think you must work in the Hockey industry. I mean, you ARE from Sweden, right?

GO MAINE BLACK BEARS! #1 in the USA! MAINE HOCKEY RULES!

[Angwilwileth]

Welcome to the forum.

[Zilverzmurfen]

Originally Posted by Beloit Fencer of Old

You said you have a DAY job...(read your post!), and grave looting is CLEARLY a night time occupation. So I am wondering about your DAY job. I think you must work in the Hockey industry. I mean, you ARE from Sweden, right?

Aah, my day job. I am a puck.

[rac]

Welcome Kais, glad you are enjoying the place...

Your intro thread is a great introduction to some of the nicest folks around here!!!

Good luck.