Where do you see fencing in 20 years?

[onesandzeros]

Just curious about where you all think fencing will be in the next 20 years?

(For instance: Do you think we will see wireless competition at the local level?)

And if you have no clue about where it will be, what would YOUR IDEAL fencing climate be in 20 years?

[Rolls]

Pretty much the same....

Except completely dominated by one fencer, me.

: )

Rolls.

[veeco]

It will either be the same as right now, or it will have gone completely overboard with lights, fluorescent uniforms, blades that make noise like light sabres when you move them, and tight fitting uniforms.

[lochinvar]

I think blades that make noise would be cool.

[MikeHarm]

I think it will be wireless. I think with the direction its going we'll see some other changes too.

I think you'll slowly see the foil/sabre lame/mask merging, so that they're exactly the same for both weapons. The timing will tighten up too, so that foil will slowly turn into epee without a lower body target and a shorter weapon.

They'll probably not be satisfied with banning the fleche, so in an effort to continue slowing the speed of fencing for the tv audience, we'll all be forced to wear lead-weighted boots and our legs will be timed electronically so that we'll get red carded if we move too quickly for the audience to see in spite of the boots.

The weapons will all be one solid bar that doesn't bend any to insure that noone can flick at each other, and the uniforms will be colorful high impact plastic that look a lot like riot gear except for the flashing lights all over them.

Also to make sure there is action right away, we'll be moved up so that en guarde is one that you can score from lunge distance right at the start, and you'll get carded if you don't launch an attack within every 5 seconds to insure the audience gets plenty of action.

There also won't be any more fifteen touch bouts, it will be straight fencing in a series of timed rounds with commercial breaks in between for as high as the score will go.

[Victor]

Originally posted by MikeHarm
The weapons will all be one solid bar that doesn't bend any to insure that noone can flick at each other. ...

Gawd, I hope not! Bendy material helps reduce the force of --

Oh. You were being facetious.
Nevermind.

[Almightynoitall]

Okay... this is a tough one...

I'd say, most likely on strips in salles, gyms, and convention centers. (yeah... sorry... smarta$$ remark... couldn't help it)

[SnowGlassApples]

The fencers will wear black leather uniforms, and the maestros will wear suede. No one will advance or retreat. We will all float or hover. Hence, the addition to one's equipment: jet packs.

[remise]

Fencers will fence underwater with adaptive suits, aboard the Space Shuttle, and will probably have forums set up like Reality TV.

The clothing will be a melding between the vampires of Underworld and the characters of the Matrix. For those competitions here on earth, stunt wires will be used. A straight attack to the heart will cause the loser to burst into flames and desintigrate.

[Feanor]

Lightsabers?

[Popper]

may leon paul be with you obiwan!

[lochinvar]

I see wireless fencing finally becoming a reality.

I also see more color in the uniforms.
I also see Inquartata ranting about it. (Some things will never change...)

[Inquartata]

Yes, I will still be shaking my fist at the colored kits. Probably be holding onto my walker with the other, but anyway!

[leolion7800]

I think that fencing will sweep the nation just like soccer did. Instead of soccer moms, Fencing moms

[gigmaster]

Fencing Moms???......Now there is an interesting image!

I'm just returning to the sport after a 20+ year hiatus (Doin the Dad thing and making a living). Did they really ban the fleche? That used to be one of my favorite last-ditch moves?

I'd just be happy if fencing became more popular, so we could find a place close to home to indulge our passion for the art! Personally, I also think they should try to de-evolve the electronics and gizmos and return the art to it's pure form ( I don't like the instant replay rule in football either. It cheapens the game and the integrity of the referees).



"Those who would trade thier Freedom for a measure of Security are deserving of niether!"
John Hancock, one of the signers of the Constitution.

[NJP3]

hopefully atleast wireless by then! Altho one never knows with the "afraid of change" higher ups in fencing. maybe tip has to be depressed for certain amount of time, to turn foil back into poking weapon.

[OCTAVIA]

20 years from now, a few men will stand around waving their hands while a group of young boys hover uncertainly in the corners, the pants, now tighter, more aerodynamic, will cause everyone to become more muscular to show their thighs more; each will pretend to be millionaires and threaten one another then to show they are more manly than the other one who stood there in aerodynamic pants, they will marry 5'11'' female and make triplettes; The women fencers will either all grow beards, or to really prove that they're real women, will scream "I'm at the zenith of my form" on the strip during the Olympics.

[gigmaster]

Who is Paris Hilton?

[Popper]

Paris Hilton is the black sheep of the Hilton family (owns Hilton hotels)

In the future:

I hope to see wireless fencing and a crossover from linear fencing to circular fencing (the spanish school).. I like the idea of circling my opponent.. will feel more like in the movies

[Popper]

yes yes... I know that the spanish school is not exactly what i am talking about.. but you get the general idea.