vjssy

Does anyone here fence? I learned most of the basics with foil and recently started with epee. Don't really know any other fencers. If you're out there, who are you and where are you from? Experience? Advice? etc.

btw, does fencing go in weaponry or sport?

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Me saepe mone.

tecoyah

well....I wouldnt call it fencing (neither would anyone else)....but I am trained in broadsword technique....heh.

*misses his trusty old blade*

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amonkie

I believe at one time ForgottenKnight was a regular on the boards, and he was quite the enthusiastic fencer ...

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Charlatan

I do Kendo (Japanese Fencing).

Amonkie is right, ForgottenKnight is into fencing. There were a few members who used to post that were also into it but I don't think they've been around for a while.

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The_Jazz

Not only am I into fencing, I own a fencing sal here in Chicago as one of my side businesses. I think that this thread probably belongs in Sports because it's a nationally and internationally recognized sports that's a pretty big Olympic presence (unless you're an American).

I only fence epee, and that's pretty much what we teach. Both of my partners were US Olympic Trials finalists, and one of our coaches was in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics (for Bulgaria) and another one won the bronze in 1980 for the Soviets and won several world championships and world cups. I've only been fencing for about 6 years, and I used to have a C rating back before I got old and fat. I'm basically the money guy, but I still get to fence for free. We've got a bunch of students with national points, and I think that one of them is ranked 20th in her age group right now.

As far as advice, what do you want to know?

EDIT - by the way, if anyone's ever in Chicago and wants to try epee fencing for the first time or just get some new competition, just email me. Being an owner, I can always waive the customary charges for strip time if need be.

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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

The_Dunedan

Sabreur here! Some epee, less foil. Never been rated, sadly, as school kept intruding...but had a blast with it and will prolly get back into it once I complete my move overseas.

vjssy

The_Jazz: I could probably ask you a million questions. Here are two that have been nagging me for a while.

I am hoping that I'll be good enough to fence competitively at the college level, but I'm just now starting out in my second yr of community college - im hoping whatever school I transfer to within the next year will have the compassion to let me on their squad. Currently, my salle has me doing a private lesson a week, and starting next month into their "junior program" for competitive fencers (includes a private lesson and group class per week). At the moment, I can barely afford the rates ($145/mo for program and $105 for 4 private lessons). Time is something of an issue as well, since I'm concurrently enrolled at two different schools -taking 24 units or so. Realistically, what do I need to do in order to actually become competitive at the college level?

Next, I've seen quite a bit of information on the different "schools" of fencing. Of particular interest are the Italian and Spanish schools. As far as I can understand, the Italian school of fencing is more strict, with less positions and generally "more efficient". The spanish school is unique in that they're perspective is not linear - concentrated on a circle range of motion (originally thought of as absurd because the concept was taken too literally - as in.. people would draw a circle on the ground before dueling). Basically, I'm interested in the major differences between styles, which you practice, and what you know about the recent development of these methods.

I fully realize that these questions are ridiculously expansive, and that you might not be able to answer them - or it might be too much trouble, but I'd much appreciate whatever knowledge you care to share with me.

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Me saepe mone.

The_Jazz

No problem, although both of these questions are pretty open ended.

We've got 8-10 kids in our program with realistic chances of getting into college programs, if not full scholarships. There's a girl at the NAC in Reno this weekend who probably just sewed up a couple of offers with her results in the Div II tournament last night. The point is that that's how you get yourself onto a competitive team - national exposure and points. If you're in your second year of community college, I'm guessing that you're between 19 and 23. Honestly, you probably don't have much of a shot at any of the big programs on the East Coast unless you find a coach that needs a walkon for target practice. However, there are lots of lower profile programs that you can probably find your way into with a little luck. Check out your local Division's website and see what tournaments are coming up. Start at the lower level ones and see how quickly you can earn a rating. Once you're rated, you can start to accumulate national points, and that's what's going to attract the college coaches.

Or you could just look for a school with a club program that doesn't make cuts. I'd chose the school before the fencing program myself. There's not much money in being a professional fencer until you get into the coaching ranks, and even then it's not great.

As far as the Italian vs Spanish debate, it's pretty easily settled for me. The Italian school is the internationally recognized one. That's what's in the Olympics, national tournaments, North American Cups and every other organized tournament that you're going to go to that's not run by a bunch of crackpots (no offense meant to anyone). The Spanish style is pretty much just a way to do something a little different. It's similar to the hockey/broomball debate. People play both and both are fun, but only one is internationally recognized. If you want to be considered a serious fencer, stick with the Italian style.

Let me know if you want to know anything else.

__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

cameroncrazy822

Used to in college until I got caught .....5 years and released on parole dueto good behavior. Never again!