Anybody here ever competed in fencing?

I've played sports all my life, and I feel like I've at least given a cursory try to just about all the ones i know of. Had never tried fencing, saw an ad in the local adult continuing education catalog and thought 'Why not?' Plus, it's something I can see myself competing in as I get older. The guy teaching the class is probably in his 50s.

 

I took a class on it in college. It was strictly foil fencing and there were a lot of footwork drills. To me, it seemed like it was strictly a young man's sport as it required very quick reflexes and a great deal of lower body and core strength. I would advise you to pay close attention to the rules and make sure anyone you spar with does the same. There are going to be people in the class who will act like it's Pirates of the Caribbean. Do not associate with these people.

I had to go up against a guy who didn't know what the hell he was doing and he broke his blade on mine and then proceeded to try to stab me with it. I was so pissed off, I walked out of class that day. I think the instructor tried to pay more attention to what was going on after that, but there were still lots of people not really giving a shit about the rules.

 

Never competed, but I did put up a really nice cedar fence in my backyard.

 

If you get injured while curling, you should be required to wear a helmet all day, every day.

 

+1

 

Aw, come on, didn't you see that Russian guy slip and fall in the Olympics? Don't forget you're standing on a sheet of ice!

 

It's just shy of getting injured while playing Magic: The Gathering.

 

I would think your blood alcohol level at the time of the injury would have to be taken into consideration.

 

Stick with it and you'll have one well-defined forearm, a wrist of steal and the balance of an acrobat. One club rule I heartily endorsed was stolen from curling: The winner of the match bought the beer. You'll likely start with foil. Saber and epee are both a step up. To me, foil was the most intriguing.

 

I'm single, I already have the first two.

 

Full disclosure? This is me:
<img src="http://jokerreport.typepad.com/.a/6a00e393366a1a88340162fc18abd1970d-pi">

Actually, what happened was I was using my broom as balance (a no-no to you beginners) while throwing my rock and I lost my balance (not used to sliding on one foot while on ice) and rolled my whole body weight onto my thumb, which was under the broom handle.

 

I was really hoping for something along the lines of, "I was watching The Princess Bride and thought to myself, 'There is no fucking way I'm letting the Dread Pirate Roberts get the best of me. If Inigo Montoya can learn this, dammit so can I.'"