how did you get into fencing ?

[mollusk]

Originally posted by remise
I put my son in fencing at aged 7, and watch him have all the fun for 3 years. I finally had the courage to try (I was 42 by then) and I liked the adrenaline rush I got when I was out on the strip. My son has never tried any other sport (he hasn't the inkling) and so all the fencing moves are so ingrained in him they are as natural to him as walking.

For me, it's another story. I am always grateful for the advice I get on this site - everything is appreciated.

My story is similar to yours. I have a son that started fencing at age 7 and after two years of watching I decided that it looked like way too much fun. I started myself just before turning 47. Six weeks later I'm fencing in my Divisional's and I've been hooked ever since.

[edew]

A substitute English teacher in high school asked us to write an essay on our favorite sport. While everyone chose the standard foot/base/basket-ball, I was going to pick frisbee. But my friend picked that before I could, so I thought I'll pick something different, unique. I asked another friend, "hey, what's that sport with the swords?" "You mean fencing?" "Yeah!" I looked it up in the encyclopedia, checked out information about it, and was determined to learn it once I got to college (I was in my senior year).

I didn't even think to look up any local fencing clubs, even though I lived within a 30 minute BART ride to one.

So, when September came, I signed up, choosing foil over sabre because it was "lighter" according to the registration person (who unfortunately, was not the prettiest gal in the open reg booths -- this was UC Santa Barbara, so she's still quite attractive compared to other campuses).

Sadly, the fencing master, Zoltan Von Symogyi died of a heart attack the weekend before classes started. Nevertheless, his students taught the classes and since then, I've never been "out" of fencing for more than a month.

[Louweasel]

Well, I have the best reason of all for starting fencing.

My surname is Parry.



Har har har!

[Katman]

I was wandering around my college campus with too much time on my hands and few college friends, it being my freshman year and all. I saw an ad for the university's fencing club that told me, 'Learn to fence!' So I joined the club and learned to fence.

[Millamber]

I was very active in college, playing Volleyball and Ultimate Frisbee. Unfortunately I went to a performing arts school and we had no organized team sports of any kind, but pickup games and the long hours kept me fit.

After college my girlfriend and I realized we were not being as active anymore and the weight was increasing. Looking for a fun activity to try to keep us fit, I wondered the internet and found a live action roleplay game in south Georgia where people dress up in armor and run around on a weekend hitting each other with padded PVC pipe. This seemed extremely cool since I had done a little bit of broadsword work when I was younger, but my girlfriend was concerned she wouldn't be very good at it.

So, she found in the paper a small ad about learning to fence and thought we should try it out for 6 weeks to learn the basics of swordplay before trying out the LARP. Well, that was 6 months ago and we haven't thought of going to the LARP since. Fencing became so much more real to me than roleplaying and the strategy aspect of it fueled my brain while the aerobic workout fueled my body. I've lost close to 10 lbs. since I started and feel like I did in college. I don't think I will give this up any time soon.

[Queen of Hearts]

I got into fencing at age 11 by the movies- Zorro, Three Musketeers, ect.

[sabresamurai]

Exnicio,
So .... how long has your mom been fencing now?s,

Ramrod, I think he meant that the 'more attractive girl' is currently his wife

[sabresamurai]

Originally posted by Ramrod
Exnicios,

So .... how long has your mom been fencing now?

there, finally figured out how to quote from previous posts

[Ramrod]

Just a poor attempt at humor.

[R. Exnicios]

Originally posted by Ramrod
Exnicio,
So .... how long has your mom been fencing now?s,

I guess I should hve been a little more specific.

My mom actually doesn't fence but she can skin an alligator in less than 10 minutes.

'm not kidding.

Well maybe a little slower than that now, she is almost 70.

[jeff]

Originally posted by R. Exnicios
My mom actually doesn't fence but she can skin an alligator in less than 10 minutes.

Well, I'm sure impressed! Tastes like chicken?

[WoodsideDr]

I had to satisfy my college PE credit. Two semesters of something athletic. Took fencing one semester. Took bowling the other. I'm still a better bowler.