red hair and fencing

[lfortier]

Hello everyone!

I have been fencing for one year now, and having gone to 3 National meets, I have noticed more redheads as fencers than in any other sport,(myself included) Has anyone else noticed this coincedence? Do you think people with red hair have similar interests? What's YOUR opinion?

[Peach]

I've only been a red-head for the last couple of years, so I don't count.

[The0ne]

You must have seen the Mattesons. . . =), actually there IS a bounty of red-haired good fencers in my area!

[I see dead people]

uhm

actually, it has come to my attention that the majority of the top fencers have dark hair.

[lfortier]

Originally posted by I see dead people
actually, it has come to my attention that the majority of the top fencers have dark hair.

That may be so, but I'm refering to fencers in general, like when youre in that big convention center room full of all those ppl...

[Army Fencer]

Does that mean that redheads are smarter?

[lfortier]

It could be coincedence- ALOT of redheads I know are quite intelligent...

[Mo]

At the first summer Nationals three years ago, I did notice there seemed to be a heckofalotta red heads. Considering that red occurs in so rarely in the population, 2%, it seems there is a disproportionate amount of fencers with that particular affliction.
One year I really wanted everyone with red hair to gather for a picture at Summer Nationals. I didn't have enough nerve to suggest it though...
It would be interesting to do a survey.
Red heads get a lot of crap. They get teased about having red hair, freckles and pasty white pale skin. They grow up taking a lot of crap.
Fencing is a good sport for pale people. It does not require a tan or use of sun screens, something that irritates tender red headed people skin.

[Army Fencer]

Originally posted by Mo
Red heads get a lot of crap. They get teased about having red hair, freckles and pasty white pale skin. They grow up taking a lot of crap.

If only I could have such an affliction...

[Hurriranger]

prehaps it is because of where you are situated? and there are more redheads in ur area? coz i can assure u there are no redhead fencers in china..

[lfortier]

Well army fencer, I'm not sure about that- I mean, for me, summer is not fun. With super pale skin, it doesnt look too good in a two-peice.(reds do NOT tan) Not to mention that if I want to go outside, I sometimes end up with sun blisters despite me wearing the highest SPF that I can find... But other than that, I LOVE being a redhead for a few reasons:
1) the freckles you get are helpful in covering blemishes (ie, black heads)
2) You become more tolerant with ppl taunting you
3) Everyone I know wants my color
4) You stand out-which is helpful in finding a date, guys seem to be pretty attracted to it.

[lfortier]

Originally posted by Hurriranger
prehaps it is because of where you are situated? and there are more redheads in ur area? coz i can assure u there are no redhead fencers in china..

No, Here in Kansas, you hardly see any- alot are in the New England area though, however, when you attend a National meet w/ ppl from all over, you see the coincedence.

[akishier]

i only know 1 red haired fencer

[Inquartata]

The question is, are the ones you're seeing all REAL redheads, or does it just reflect a brisk sales trend in red hair coloring?

[PeterGustafsson]

Hi!

I was a redhead as kid, but more brown now. Anyway - I read that aneasthelogists (spelling? doctors responsible for narcosis) have noticed that redheads are more difficult to knock out, and more susceptible to pain. Seems like a drawback in our sport.

Have a nice time!

Peter Gustafsson

[The0ne]

weird, how are you harder to knock out, but more susceptible to pain? Seems to follow that you'd be less susceptible to pain, but what do I know...

[GGK]

Originally posted by The0ne
weird, how are you harder to knock out, but more susceptible to pain? Seems to follow that you'd be less susceptible to pain, but what do I know...

Has nothing to do with the tolerance of pain.

[HilandDoug]

I'd have to agree. I'm a redhead myself, and my ex is a redhead, too. I teach fencing, and see a lot of redheads in my classes. A few I've spoken with have told me that their Scottish ancestry has helped develope their interest in the sport. I wish I could say the same, but my Scottish heritage had nothing to do with my interest in the sport.

That's me on the far left:

http://www.angelfire.com/mi3/eric260b/fencing2.html

[Army Fencer]

Originally posted by lfortier
guys seem to be pretty attracted to it.

[Hyperion1250]

Originally posted by Inquartata
The question is, are the ones you're seeing all REAL redheads, or does it just reflect a brisk sales trend in red hair coloring?

I'm refraining from obscene commentary here....

Originally posted by HilandDoug
I'd have to agree. I'm a redhead myself, and my ex is a redhead, too. I teach fencing, and see a lot of redheads in my classes. A few I've spoken with have told me that their Scottish ancestry has helped develope their interest in the sport. I wish I could say the same, but my Scottish heritage had nothing to do with my interest in the sport.

I'm not a redhead, but of scottish ancestry. At any rate, while it has nothing to do with my interest in the sport, you have a semi-legit reason to put a st. Andrews cross on your mask
Turning this into a heritage discussion: it seems to be people who have some ancestral bone to pick with england.... On my team we have a lot of irish, some scots, some chinese, etc...