Interested in Fencing

[Poe]

Hey from South Carolina! I am 15 years old and have been interested in fencing ever since I first saw it. Unfortunately, I didn't pursue lessons when I was younger. Is it too late to start fencing with almost no knowledge of the sport? I am a sophomore in high school and am also worrying about schedule conflicts. Can anyone else in a similar situation explain how they manage? Anyway, I'm happy to be taking the first steps toward learning more about fencing and thanks to all of ya'll who will read and answer my questions.

[thekoby]

Unfortunately, I didn't pursue lessons when I was younger. Is it too late to start fencing with almost no knowledge of the sport? I am a sophomore in high school and am also worrying about schedule conflicts.

It is never too late to start learning to fence. I run a college club where majority of our starting members are an average age of 19 and have never had a single lesson or seen fencing other than in movies.

There are a lot of clubs that cater to younger members and hold practices in the evenings (after 6 or 7) so that it gives kids the time they need to work on homework, eat, or do whatever after-school activities they may be part of. I would suggest doing a search inside these forums for discussions about clubs in SC (I recall a post in this same area about someone else from SC).

[Got_Fenced_In]

Basically, I'm just here to agree with what thekoby said. Just go for it. Our club has fencers that didn't start until their forties. I started when I was about 10. It really just depends on the person, and it's never too late to learn. You could still even be an olympian!! (Realistically, that's obviously only going to happen if you really, really want it to and royally work your ass off over the next ten years. But my point was, with fencing, ages aren't always terribly important.)

[noodle]

if you need help finding a club, send me a pm.

[Florida Fencer]

It is definitely not too late. I was 21 the first time I started, and 36 this time. Good luck to you.

[Poe]

Thanks for the encouraging replies! It means a lot to get responses that were informational and not derogatory. I have emailed a club and am waiting for a response.

[Mr Epee]

I run a college club

er... no, you don't...

but this guy does

Shame on you for lying to make yourself seem more important.

Shame. Shame. Shame.

[irishfolker]

Just to echo that it's never too late, I started at 52, 1 1/2 years ago. A warning to you: never underestimate the older guys (or women). You will regret it.

[thekoby]

er... no, you don't...

but this guy does

Shame on you for lying to make yourself seem more important.

Shame. Shame. Shame.

Okay.....I run the practices at a college club.

You just wanted to bring that picture back up :-p

[gatsby]

i started the exact same time you did.

if theres one thing i can say:
find a decent club and train like hell (but don't let your schoolwork slip of course). i was making great progress during high school, but once i went off to college my fencing instruction quality dropped drastically. unless you go to one of the few NCAA fencing schools, don't expect the fencing scene to improve.

[Applesauce and Foils]

Never too late! Never too late! *Cheering for you* Work as hard as you can and remember to enjoy it!

AF

[whiteandbluefencer]

er... no, you don't...

but this guy does

Shame on you for lying to make yourself seem more important.

Shame. Shame. Shame.

Beautiful! You have again, left me snorting in laughter! I'm never going to forget the cross-dressing president....


-----------------
And, I also didn't start fencing till later. I was a sophomore in college. Within this first year, I became the club's equipment manager and president. If there is anything I've learned about the fencing world, it's that when you enter it with the best of attitudes, lots of determination, and respect for your fellow fencers; you will be rewarded with their respect, and seen as a valuable member of the club even if you are not the most successful/skillful.

[Poe]

Well. After careful research and emailing. I have signed up for the adult beginner's class at Foothill's Fencing Academy. Thanks for all the advice and for encouraging me to go for it!

[Pescados666]

Well, when first learning the footwork, you'll find it to be boring with all the drilling and stuff. If you persevere, you will find it to be completely awesome afterwards. Do you know what weapon you will be fencing yet? I suggest foil

[whiteandbluefencer]

Well. After careful research and emailing. I have signed up for the adult beginner's class at Foothill's Fencing Academy. Thanks for all the advice and for encouraging me to go for it!

That's awesome! You will have an amazing time, just don't ever give up... even if you feel like you suck. Because there's one thing worse than sucking, and that's not fencing at all.

[thekoby]

Well, when first learning the footwork, you'll find it to be boring with all the drilling and stuff. If you persevere, you will find it to be completely awesome afterwards. Do you know what weapon you will be fencing yet? I suggest foil

I'm totally stealing this phrase to tell the new fencers that start this year....and why I haven't thought about bringing it up until you mentioned it eludes my mind.

<----Still learning new things!

[Slacker]

And Poe, if you're really sore after footwork, (and shouldn't be if you're 15) don't give up! It gets better as you get more conditioned. Welcome to the strip!

[bob46]

PICK FOIL!!! The club you start at will most likely pick you up on that anyways... stick with it!

[bob46]

tehehe...

After fencing one bout yesterday, I was huffing and puffing...

Shows how much flab summer vacation can put on you...

[thekoby]

tehehe...

After fencing one bout yesterday, I was huffing and puffing...

Shows how much flab summer vacation can put on you...

that's why I've decided to start jogging before the new season starts up. One of these days I'll actually hold true to my decision.

It's worse now that I've taken up a second job managing a McDonalds....I get McFlurries for free.....damn ice cream.....