New here; trying to get back into fencing

[Admiral]

Hi everyone,
I wouldn't say I'm "new" to fencing. I started out learning fencing (with a foil) when I was 12. I continued until I was 15, whereas some personal problems in my life came up, which led to a cease in practicing.

I'm 19 now (turning 20 soon), and I really want to get back into fencing; any idea if it's too late for me, or would I still have a chance at getting proficient?

Anyway, I'm happy to be here regardless; I'm off to find my foil.

[Inquartata]

No offense, but it's a perennial source of amusement to those of us who started in our 20s..or 30s...or 40s...or even 50s...when a teen wonders whether they are "too old" to start fencing.

19 is a fine age to start. Now, if by proficient you mean "make the Olympic team", sure, 13 is probably better. But no, you're not too old by any means...

Welcome back.

[UnidentifiedFencerOnline]

19 is a fine age to start fencing. If you've done it before but stopped there's NOTHING out there to stop you. just practise and you'll be at the same level as when you stopped.
=)

[Grey Sabreur]

I first fenced over 30 years ago. I stayed with it pretty steady for over 10 years, and then moved, and then life happened. In the intervening time, I've occasionally dropped by a club or two within a couple of hours drive of my home and at the time I wondered where all the adult fencers were.

Last week I dropped by the small local club and the only adults were parents of children who were fencing. Half of the kids didn't seem big enough to keep masks on their heads!!! I listened to a couple of the parents chat about trying to get their high school kids to continue fencing. I asked them where the adult fencers were and was looked at like I was from Mars. It seemed like the idea of an adult fencer was some sort of radical thing.

I recently noticed that something called veterans fencing has appeared and asked about that as well. Apparently it happens at a few tournaments but seemed to be some sort of odd idea to this group. The first tournaments I entered had people in their 50's and 60's entering as a regular thing.

What happened??

[SJCFU#2]

What happened??

They're still out there - you just need to look for a different club.

[theLuz]

come on down to California. We're all here where it's warm.

[Wetmelon]

Come up to to Canada. Where it's warm...

ok I can't say that with a straight face xD

[Fencergrl]

Depends on your definition of warm.

Grey Sabreur, ask around your area. In my area (Vancouver) some clubs have few adult fencers while others are pretty have only adult fencers. Your provincial fencing association will be able to point you in the right direction.

[Rockstar44]

I'm 19 now (turning 20 soon), and I really want to get back into fencing; any idea if it's too late for me, or would I still have a chance at getting proficient?

Nineteen? OMG, you're over the hill, man. Maybe you can still fence in the wheelchair events.

[Dread Pirate]

Actually, if you can get the orderlies to hold the IV bag and push the bed around for you when you fleche--you could be fencing well into your mid to late 20s!

[SabreReedfrost]

I recently noticed that something called veterans fencing has appeared and asked about that as well. Apparently it happens at a few tournaments but seemed to be some sort of odd idea to this group. The first tournaments I entered had people in their 50's and 60's entering as a regular thing.

Yeah there's plenty of veteran events out there, as well as clubs that'll support adult fencers. Take a look at the list of clubs in your area... someone'll work. As for tournaments, opens are your best bet for frequent regional tournaments, but NAC's and such frequently have veteran events.