37 yrs old and getting back into fencing

[andy966]

Hey there folks!
I fenced back in HS for 2 years but haven't touched foil since, except the kind you cook and wrap food with. Now I want to get back into fencing and possibly compete again. However, I am concerned that I might be too old to compete again since there are plenty of competitors out there that have been fencing for years and years. Are there any others like myself that have returned to fencing much later and successfully competed?

Thanks for any feedback you can provide.

[Fencergrl]

Welcome! There's plenty of us here who have returned to fencing or took it up as a new sport later in life. Compared to many of us... you're just a baby.

Enjoy fencing and the forum.

[andy966]

OOOH, so glad to hear. I know this may sound premature, but are there any competitions for our age group?

[IvorDarcy]

Welcome Andy. I too have returned to fencing after a long lay off ( 9 years ) and also thinking of competing. I had forgotten how much fun fencing is and the toll it takes on my old bones! My fitness level has increased considerably and I am catching up with the youngsters we have at the club. The most important thing is to have fun...oh..and ditch the foil for epee!!!!!!

[Philistine]

OOOH, so glad to hear. I know this may sound premature, but are there any competitions for our age group?

Most competitions are "open" which means anybody over 12. There are also veterans competitions (which start at 40--there are a couple of levels 40+, 50+, 60+, but many vet competitions are "mixed" in age categories).

I also came back after a long layoff (I fenced in college and a year or so after, and then came back when I was about 33). It's not that uncommon (nor is people taking it up later in life) and many who do so become quite competitive.

--Philistine

[TBean]

Welcome. At 37 you are still a senior and can fence all open events. At 40+ the veterans divisions start. Good luck.

[chefencer]

Welcome!
I think you'll find fencing more satisfying now that you're older. Good luck, stay healthy and don't push it too soon. It's easy to get ahead of yourself when you're having so much fun.

Enjoy!

[magic_moose]

Welcome back and have fun! As an older fencer, once you start, you have to keep fencing regularly in order to keep in shape.

This is not a bad thing.

[Hyena]

There's a guy in his fourties locally here who started fencing in college and only got back a month or so ago, and he enjoys it more now than ever, as far as I could tell! I agree with chefencer.

Anyway, welcome!

[Fencergrl]

Andy 966, If you think you're too old. Here's a picture of a 92 year old fencing (he's the blur doing the fleche)
http://www.fencing.net/gallery/showp...2/limit/recent

[andy966]

WOW! I am glad I am in good company. Thank you for the warm welcome and it's nice to know that there are a lot more people out there like me than I thought. And I hope I am that quick when I am 92.

[lefty_monster]

Now I want to get back into fencing and possibly compete again.

What are you waiting for?? Call your nearest club and get started!

[andy966]

What are you waiting for?? Call your nearest club and get started!

Yeah, I emailed them the other day and will be down there next week Wednesday to see which class I should start off with.
I am excited.
The next question probably belongs in the armory, but should I buy decent competition equipment now or buy the cheaper stuff and wait till I start competing to buy that stuff? Thoughts?

[wahrman]

And on the left is me!

I started fencing at 35, almost 3 years ago and I'm not doing too badly.

So go on, go fence.

Andy 966, If you think you're too old. Here's a picture of a 92 year old fencing (he's the blur doing the fleche)
http://www.fencing.net/gallery/showp...2/limit/recent

[Fencergrl]

And on the left is me!

I started fencing at 35,

You're just a babe (in more ways than one)! You would think that bully 92 year old would pick on somebody his own age.

[EdGardner]

I started at 37 last year.

The only advice I have is, check your ego somewhere safe, being beaten by 12 and 14 year old (boys and girls) can get a little bruising

That said, I've been to several competitions now, and while I am not winning, I am having alot of fun. And I can buy toys and call it "excercise" and not get any flak

[Neinteen]

Andy 966, If you think you're too old. Here's a picture of a 92 year old fencing (he's the blur doing the fleche)
http://www.fencing.net/gallery/showp...2/limit/recent

Looks like a hook for a hand

And being beaten by little kids has to suck.

but welcome back. Glad you chose foil.

[HDG]

I restarted a couple years ago at 33; I'm better now than I was as a teen (albeit not as fast and with poorer endurance). I'm a better fencer technically, and I have a higher rating than I ever managed to get as a kid (not especially high, but still it was a milestone).

[rburch]

Welcome from one of the younger guys. Hope you enjoy rediscovering fencing. We need more experienced (in life, not fencing) people in fencing.

If you're ever near the southwestern part of Virginia give me a PM, I'm tired of being considered the "Old Man" at our practices. I mean, I'm 25...

[lefty_monster]

Yeah, I emailed them the other day and will be down there next week Wednesday to see which class I should start off with.
I am excited.
The next question probably belongs in the armory, but should I buy decent competition equipment now or buy the cheaper stuff and wait till I start competing to buy that stuff? Thoughts?

Don't buy anything now. After you've used club equipment for a few weeks, buy a glove and mask. Then next time you wish to shell out the ca$h, get a halfway decent jacket (should last a year or two, so don't get a crappy one.) a bodycord and one electric weapon. And a bag to carry your stuff in.