When I was in my teens, my younger brother and I took fencing lessons at a nearby college. The reason we wanted to was because my father had a set of Epee swords. At the time, I neither knew why he had them or what this specific sword was for. All I knew was I loved swashbuckling movies, and I wanted to learn how to swash the buckle (okay, that’s not a thing, but you get it.).
So, my brother and I agreed to go together. An add in the paper had announced a weekend try out was being held for kids, and the first time was free. And we had our own swords, so that was even cooler. As long as the first time didn’t cost anything, my parents said sure, try it.
The first potential problem was boarding the town bus to get us to the college. The driver was none too pleased that we were carrying the Epees without cases. After we explained where we were going, and he must have seen the gleam of excitement in my eyes, he made us sit at the front, holding the swords down to the ground. Fair enough. I would have as well.
We arrived to find the fencing lesson already in progress (we miscalculated the time). But as it was the “try it out to see if you like it” session, we didn’t feel too bad.
Chest guards and masks were provided, and we helped each other do them up. We were in fencing uniforms, swords in our hands and our shoulders straightened. We felt powerful.
As we stood in a line, swords aimed down at the ground, the instructor showed us some moves. He was good. Or so this teenager thought. With a partner he showed us En Garde, Attack, Parry, Riposte, Counter Riposte. Wow! It looked like a complicated dance.
Then in pairs, we stood facing each other and gently starting tapping each other’s swords. And at this point, please forgive me, but it gets muddled. I know no one got hurt. One kid kept yelling “heyaa” every time he hit his partner’s sword, and I remember there being a lot of laughter and fun.
By the time our half hour was over, we could barely hold the swords up. We were all kids there, and the swords were of regular size. The free class was more to see who would be interested in the sport itself.
Did my brother and I go back? Nope. But we did take the swords out a couple of time and practice. That was before we got caught and my dad moved the swords. Come to think of it, I never saw them again. And sadly, I never asked him why he had them in the first place.
Your Turn:
- What unique activities have you taken part in over your life? Even if it was just one class.
- What did you like about it and did you return? What didn’t you like about it?
- Where was it held, who was there and what interested you in it in the first place?
- What do you still want to try, and will you do it, or why not?