How I did it: I joined the FAU Fencing Club which met twice a week.  Fencing clubs can be started at any place of higher learning.  Usually the school will spring for the equipment (and sometimes a coach) if you make sure to plan some intercollegiate tournaments (fencing is good for PR).   (Sometimes, as in the case of FAU, there will be a whole closet of fencing equipment lying around somewhere from the previous attempt at a fencing club) If you need an instructor, place ads around campus, you'd be surprised how many people you'll find with years of fencing under their belts.  They can at least get you started.  That said: practice, practice, practice, drill, drill, drill.  Competition will help you fence different opponents and keep you from getting too specialized against the people you see every week, and keep it interesting.  Fencing is a very small community so if you go to tournaments regularly, you will find yourself a part of the fabric very quickly.  Be nice, people will help you.  Have fun.

Lessons & tips: Find an armorer.  (there's at least one at every tournament) Learn to repair your weapons.  It will save you a ton of money on equipment.  (Plus, you'll be very useful to all the other fencers.)

Resources: The Big Book On Fencing  By Rudy Volkmann
from Triplette Competition Arms

We went to the Triplette store in NC to try different grips and have some electric weapons custom made.  It made all the difference.

---

Jan 22, 2009, 02:20PM PST | 0 comments | 2 cheers