The best thing about fencing...

[Shena]

Why do you fence? What keeps you interested and motivated?
Personally, I like the different kinds of people one meets in this sport... it is very diverse.
Then again, there IS the amount of good-looking guys one meets at tournaments...

[Iwant2bafencer]

hmm the best thing about fencing. Well since I haven't fenced for a while, and I'm still quite a greeny at it I don't know all of the things that could be good. Though for now I'd have to say the adrenaline while you fence and right after. I feel really good when I'm done fencing and feel like I could take on fifty more opponents.

[jeff]

Being totally "in the zone" - when everything is working automagically: training and reflexes take over and you make the unplanned disengage or second intention parry riposte or attack into a briefly opened line without thinking or hesitation.

Being totally "in the moment" - when you're concentrating only on the fencing you're doing, and not thinking about yesterday's or tomorrow's anxieties, pressures, or obligations. That makes me refreshed after a good hard fencing working.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Oooo ^those too!

[Mo]

The people.

Posting a question about preparing for a meet and finding everything I ever wanted to know about mascara.

[thyme_daniels]

i like both the people and the feeling of doing an action well, or just fencing well overall. some of the most intelligent, crazy, and fun people i know are fencers. i also love the fact that it is such a unique sport, and it is so cool! there is nothing like it...

[Peach]

I'm with jeff. It's such a tremendous rush to execute well and to be in the zone.

Also, you get to hit people. Hitting people is a goodness. Getting hit is only sporadically annoying, besides.

[OCTAVIA]

I like learning new things, that's why I staid with it. Being a student was one of my favorite things, after grad school, I did another year, and then in 1997, I did another course; so, I just like enrolling in school and learning new things. Tht's also why I keep coming back to the board, even when I vow to log out forever, after a few days, I check it out, because I just know they'll be something new on the board.

[Talyn]

Knowing that each time i fence "I can be 'rebuilt' I can be Stronger, Faster, Better"

[CarlKnoch]

I fence because at 35 its an individual sport that I can continue into old age, and truly compete at longer than any other sport.

There's also the kewlness of poking people with a sword which is too much fun in my mind.

I have met lots of people so far, and while they are diverse, I can't say that I've liked even close to all of them. This sport seems to have a rather large share of snooty jerks in it from my perspective. People who are unhelpful to beginners, and just downright nasty at times.

[Shena]

Really? You find people snooty in this sport? I find the total opposite (at least in North America). A lot of fencers seem to be the more nerdy, thus less snooty type of people. Granted, there are many like that, especially among the higher level fencers...

[cowpaste]

Originally posted by Shena
Really? You find people snooty in this sport? I find the total opposite (at least in North America). A lot of fencers seem to be the more nerdy, thus less snooty type of people. Granted, there are many like that, especially among the higher level fencers...

Wow, what ever happend to the good looking guys? Are they nerdy too? At the place where I fence, everyone is a nerd. :P As for why I like fencing, it is because the girls are hot...wait that is not right. Everyone is lopsided and bigger on one side. Hrm. I think I like fencing because I like to poke people.

[CarlKnoch]

Originally posted by Shena
Really? You find people snooty in this sport? I find the total opposite (at least in North America). A lot of fencers seem to be the more nerdy, thus less snooty type of people. Granted, there are many like that, especially among the higher level fencers...

You'll notice I said that the sport has a rather large share of snooty... etc....

They are not the majority by any means. If you have 2 out of 10 who are snooty though, or think in an elitist way, then you have far too many in my mind.

Too many don't want to help new fencers better their games because they are above helping newbies in their own self view. Just the use of the word newbie lately has really gotten on my nerves!

"Oh you're new, so you have a reason to be stupid about fencing" is the sentiment far too often that is portrayed, if not out right said. I recently got hit with a "Blind leading the Blind" comment about one of my posts, and while I was incorrect about the topic, it wasn't really warranted. So even on this board I see it just about on a weekly basis. Why can't the reaction to a new fencer not understanding something be helpful instead of condecending? Because of snoopty people I think.

I'm a relatively new fencer. I've been at it for just over a year. There are a great number of helpful people who love the sport, and are more than willing to help the inexperienced out. There are far too many peoplein this sport who are elitist jerks, who act as if they have no manners at all.

And all this from my perspective only. (Disclaimer)

[broncofencer]

I fence because I love the competition and the idea of one on one duels of both mind and body. I do enjoy the people as well but have to agree with carl that the 2 out of 10 thing really is like sour grapes and makes me wonder why I bother at times.

[Shena]

Hahaha, mixed reviews on my "fencers are nerds" comment! Well, as some of you pointed out, the snootiness is generally from the people who look down on your so-called "newbies" or just people less good, or less knowledgable. I've been part of our National Team for a few years and find a lot of people on this level are like that, especially internationally (which is where the hot yet unfortunately snobby guys are by the way, cowpaste , and hey, I'm not THAT lopsided!). But at home, in my club, its all Dungeons and Dragons/Star Wars type of people. The contrast is funny.

Meh, I'm at the point now (so frustrated and sick of the system and the politics), that I can't even enjoy poking people anymore, so I'm reduced to using the sport for eye-candy. How sad is that?

[MyrddinsPrecint]

Originally posted by cowpaste
Wow, what ever happend to the good looking guys? Are they nerdy too? At the place where I fence, everyone is a nerd. :P

oh, the best looking fencers i know are major geeks ; )

*cough*umass*cough*

[MyraTrue]

*ROTFLOL* Oh, good looking geeks is it?

I love fencing. I love that I AM a geek, and I make a good fencer all the same. I like that when I fence, I am confident, and nothing- not a comment about the way I look, the way I act, or the way I fence, can phase me. I know I am fencing, and that is enough.

I like the way I'm exhausted at the end of a day where I fence, and can hardly move the day after big footwork practices. I like the way I have bruises that I can show off. I like that when I am on the strip with a weapon in my hand, my mind can see a million possibilities, and hold onto one just in time to parry, or redouble, or... I like that it all feels right, that my body knows its doing what it should and is where it belongs.

*cough* I like the fact I could talk fencing all day.

[The0ne]

Touches that you plan and execute perfectly.

[DJ Apostrophe]

Originally posted by MyrddinsPrecint
oh, the best looking fencers i know are major geeks ; )

*cough*umass*cough*

Is this where we start talking about the MESS thong again?

-w

[cowpaste]

Wow! There are a bunch of D&D people at my fencing club too! They are obsessed with swords and stuff!

So if I were a girl, I would have to choose between D&D dorkos and arrogant, hot guys. Fencing is cool!

Shena, since you've been part of a national team, you must be pretty good and therefore *have* to be lopsided. :P