Whats the best city the world for Epee fencing ?

[mark76]

Hi,

Im 34, I live in Australia. Ive been fencing Epee on and off for about 12 years.

I would like to have a go at improving my fencing before I get too old.

I have noticed over the years the main thing that has improved my fencing is when I get the opportunity to fence regularly against a range of hard opponents.

Lessons and footwork drills by them selves dont seem to help me a great deal.

Fencing in Australia is a bit limited because we dont have lots of people in the sport. If I attended every possible training session in the place where I live id be lucky to get 4 hours of auctual fencing in per week.

I was traveling in Europe a couple of years ago and I fenced for two weeks at honved in Budapest. That was a really good Epee club. Lots of opponents of all skill levels and it ran every week day.
One problem I remember was that unlike Australia where everybody fences everybody the higher ranked fencers had no interest in fencing me. There was still lots of good action anyway.

I only speak english and I dont have any forgin fencing connections.

Ive heard the best places in the world for Epee are Paris and Budapest.
Ive also heard China is good but I doubt its the sort of place I can turn up casually and just fence.

If I was going to go and live in a forgin city and fence every day for a two or three months has anybody got any recomendations ?.

Thanks,

Mark.

[Allen Evans]

Why aren't you considering Honved? I had a student who fenced there for a year (saber) about ten years ago and really enjoyed it. It sounds as though you had a good mix of opponents. If you were being challenged at the levels you were fencing, I am not sure that the unwillingness of the top guys in the room to fence you is that much of a barrier.

A

[Inquartata]

I have noticed over the years the main thing that has improved my fencing is when I get the opportunity to fence regularly against a range of hard opponents.

Lessons and footwork drills by them selves dont seem to help me a great deal.

But...that's impossible!

The received wisdom is just the opposite. Wait a bit, the authorities will be by to tell you so.

[wdragon007]

I'm surprised by the length of Inquartata's response.

I fully expected his response to the original question of "the best city for epee fencing" with a simpler one:

"None of them. Fence Sabre."

[Gav]

Why aren't you considering Honved? I had a student who fenced there for a year (saber) about ten years ago and really enjoyed it. It sounds as though you had a good mix of opponents. If you were being challenged at the levels you were fencing, I am not sure that the unwillingness of the top guys in the room to fence you is that much of a barrier.

A

I second this.

I love Honved. I would move to Budapest if I could (the city is that great). Generally the Hungarians are approachable - though you will have to accept that the top guys (if they are even there) are unlikely to want to fence you. There will be plenty of other Hungarians to fence and many of them will be pretty good.

And Mark, you'll be amazed that fencing is everywhere...

[heretic]

If cost of living is an issue, Budapest is far more affordable than Paris. Check out MTK in addition to Honved.

[Empty Wallet]

mark76, have you tried working with some of the Australian coaches and fencers who are more than likely to have contacts in Europe to assist in getting invitations to clubs?

Vlad Sher is the national épée coach, Gerry Adams the pentathlon coach. I think it is Jo Halls who has spent at lot of time based in Hungary.

[downunder]

Vlad Sher is the national épée coach, Gerry Adams the pentathlon coach. I think it is Jo Halls who has spent at lot of time based in Hungary.

All true statements. I believe Jo owns a house there. As an Aussie living in GBR i can put you in contact with a number of people who go there to train for extended periods of time if you like...

[Inquartata]

I'm surprised by the length of Inquartata's response.

I fully expected his response to the original question of "the best city for epee fencing" with a simpler one:

"None of them. Fence Sabre."

That's why I have you, Kato.

[Falcon (XB :)]

All true statements. I believe Jo owns a house there. As an Aussie living in GBR i can put you in contact with a number of people who go there to train for extended periods of time if you like...

Two of the statements. Gerry is no longer National Pentathlon Coach, but he certainly coaches a number of pentathletes. He is Jo's coach. He has spent a fair amount of time in Budapest, and has worked with Udvarhelyi Gábor (Gábor is the first name), who works with Jo when she is based there.

Jo rents an apartment when she is living there. It would be nice if she owned one..

[Gav]

Gabor is great. I've taken a few lessons from him and I remember seeing him give a lesson to a friend. She hit him in the leg
(he was wearing shorts so ended up with a bleeding cut) and moved to stop the lesson so he could treat it. He just looked at her then told her to keep going.

[occasionalfencer]

If you want to be surrounded by people speaking English, try Washington D.C. You could fence lots and also see the sights.

[nycbikecommuter]

NYC has some of the best epeeists and it's great to fence with people whose skill levels are way better than yours as you learn a lot. i did.

[OROD]

Whats the best city the world for Epee fencing ?

Ah, I see what you did there. This is a trick question right? Like, "what's the best type of hat to wear while getting kicked in the nuts?".

To paraphrase Joshua, "Epee's a strange game. The only winning move is not to play"

[edgemontfencing]

i fence foil, but think new york might be good (someone said that?). my club runs every day of the week and there are some very advanced fencers there (but i dont know about epee) most days. the bigger clubs in NYC, like the fencers club, should be better

[Inquartata]

i fence foil

I find this highly paradoxical, considering that your handle has "edge" right there in it.

[parrythis]

Whats the best city the world for Epee fencing ?

Here?

[Inquartata]

I must now add that to Washington state and the Vatican on my list of places to avoid at all cost...

[piste off]

I must now add that to Washington state and the Vatican on my list of places to avoid at all cost...

Spare us your Pontiffication.

R-

[Inquartata]

I will try to give the papal what they want.