BB Fact Sheet – Recreation - Fencing

Why Fencing?

• Learn to fence and help to improve your fitness.

• You can take up fencing at any age and it can help to give you confidence.

• Fencing develops tactical thinking and decision-making as well as physical skills.

• It can be social or competitive, theatrical or a sport – there’s something for everyone.

Baby Boomers and Fencing

• Fencing is often seen as a young person’s sport, but in fact participants range from as young as six to over sixty. Tournaments are specifically held for ‘veterans’, which are for people over forty, within the modern fencing communities. It can be an interesting way to acheive your Preventative Health goals. 

• Some of the best fencers around are from the Baby Boomer generation. In 2008 Iain Davidson was ranked equal 13th in his event in the Australian open rankings (in his forties), while Jenny Bonney-Millett (in her forties) was ranked 3rd, and Anna Slowiaczek (in her fifties) was ranked 18th in hers.

Getting started

• Don’t put it off, start now! All you need is some comfortable clothes and sports shoes and you’re set to get started.

• There are three main types of fencing within Australia: modern Olympic fencing, medieval re-enactment, and theatrical. Modern and medieval fencing each have groups Australia-wide, and there are groups that specialise in sword-play for the theatre.

• Most clubs have loaner gear for beginners and are more than willing to meet new members. Private tuition is often available, or most clubs will run a beginners’ course at some point during the year. Clubs follow stringent rules about equipment (and sometimes behaviour) so that your safety is assured.

• Fencing is a game of skills and tactics, not just athletic ability – and you don’t need to be fit to start. Fast decision-making is just as important as endurance. It is sometimes known as “physical chess” because of its mental complexity.

• Fencing has been romanticised in films and literature, but in practice it can be as dramatic or as competitive as you like. Some films that have famous fencing scenes in them are The Mask of Zorro, The Princess Bride, Pirates of the Caribbean and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

• Fencing is one of the few sports to have been included in every modern Olympics, so if competing is for you, this is a game you can always advance in. Competition can be found at various levels, from beginners, to state, to national and beyond. Just two years, Australia hosted the World Veteran Championships.

Australia - http://www.ausfencing.org/abouttheaff/

              - http://www.sca.org.au/lochac/

              - http://www.sca.org.au/lochac/groups/map.html

NSW       - http://www.nswfencing.org.au/veterans.php

              - http://rowany.sca.org.au/

QLD       - http://www.qfa.org.au/clubs.php

              - http://www.sca.org.au/riverhaven/

VIC        - http://www.vrifencing.org.au/

             - http://www.sca.org.au/stormhold/

WA        - http://www.wafafencing.org.au/

             - http://www.sca.org.au/abertridwr/

SA          - http://www.fencingsa.org.au/index.php

              - http://www.sca.org.au/innilgard/

TAS        - http://www.bcl.com.au/hobart/sport/fencing.htm

              - http://www.sca.org.au/ynys_fawr/home.php

NT          - http://www.gafencing.com.au/

ACT       - http://www.actfa.org.au/home/

              - http://www.sca.org.au/politarchopolis/home

National Events Calendar - http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgiD=134294

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This article was created by Lisa Turley for babyboomers.com.au - Australia's website for Baby Boomers. Babyboomers.com.au is an online resource to help people find information and services on health, money, travel and recreation

Disclaimer: The information contained in this section should not be used for individual recreation or medical advice. Please see an independent advisor or your doctor if you have concerns or specific questions relating to your health. 

Copyright 2009 Babyboomers Pty Ltd. All rights Reserved.