kristavws Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Both of my boys have been interested in taking fencing lessons for some time now. Would you please share your experience if you have a child that takes fencing lessons? Thanks - Krista Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in the Kootenays Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 I wish we had it available here. A friend has a 13 yo who has taken fencing for several years and both parents and son are really enthusiastic about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CactusPair Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 What age are your dc? I'd love to get my dc interested in this sport, but don't know what age is appropriate for beginning? I'd love to try it myself (lifelong fantasy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in the Kootenays Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 I think this boy started at 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 My son has been fencing for 3 or 4 years now. (I've lost track of time.) It is the only sport he does and he loves every minute of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abbeyej Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Ds takes fencing once a week. Started when he was seven, I think? Though his coach typically encourages kids to wait till they're eight. (Dd wants to do fencing too, but she's so petite, I doubt she'll be able to handle the equipment till she's closer to ten or so.) Ds loves it, but we are not currently pursuing it as a focus. You know? I mean, if he really wanted to pursue fencing, he'd need to spend a lot more than an hour a week on it, and I'd have to start purchasing equipment of his own (rather than borrowing from the coach's stock). It's certainly a good physical workout and requires a lot of discipline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magistramom Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 My son is in beginning fencing. I'm amazed at the cardio workout! Aside from being a sport, it is a useful class if you have a child interested in theatre - there are so many fight reenactments on the stage that use the same arm and foot work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle T Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 DS quickly lost interest when he discovered that fencing is NOT wildly swinging a sword around, a la Pirates of the Caribbean. I had told him this repeatedly, but I guess it didn't sink in until he did the class! He did a ten week session, and that was it. I briefly fenced back in college and liked it. I gave it up because even with the chest protectors, it was just too painful for my large booKs. Michelle T Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Calvin tried it out last Easter. He quite liked it, but was discouraged by how heavy the swords are. He went back to Taekwondo. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mooooom Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 Keep in mind that if they like it and get good, that this can be an expensive sport. Tournaments are one weekends, and at some point you will be expected to travel - if you want to get to the good tournamnents - especially ones with college scouts (we aren't doing this yet, they are 14). They will eventually need their own weapons and clothing - when they grow you need new stuff. I'm one of those people that checked 100-200/mo per kid. That said, it is a wonderful sport for a child that is interested - lots of homeschoolers fence, late nights are common for teens. My sons have grown so much doing this sport, they work with younger kids, referee tournaments, they have gained a great deal of poise and maturity. We have never regretted it, just wish we had gone into it knowing what we were in for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meljoy Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 DS (10) and I were discussing this a few days ago- he would love it- unfortunately we live VERY rural (not even a Walmart in town LOL) so I doubt I will have a chance of finding lessons within driving range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 My son is 9. His first fencing class will be this coming Monday. We watched a class two weeks ago, and we're really excited about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyNellen Posted September 6, 2008 Share Posted September 6, 2008 My 11 year old son started fencing in April and absolutely LOVES it. He goes once a week for an hour long group class and once a week for an hour long footwork/open fencing class. It is great exercise and requires plenty of thinking and self-control. If your boys are interested, I would highly recommend it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 BTW -- My son thought he was going to take fencing, bought a glove, went to one meeting and chose martial arts instead. I am trying to sell his glove on craigslist. Is anyone here interested? http://shop.fencing.net/product_p/fdn-22001.htm Beginner 3-W Washable Glove Right hand Size 9 Worn once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Fencing is a sport that can absolutely start at a later age. In fact, I recommend it unless he's really raring to go. The gear is pretty expensive and I can't imagine buying it all for a child who is growing rapidly. We dropped over $300 for my daughter on plastron, glove, jacket, facemask, blade, and shoes. That wasn't even with regulation shoes or pants, which she would have had to buy if she were going to compete. She started at age 14? or maybe 15? At any rate, she was almost finished growing and I was thankful I didn't have to spring for new equipment each year. The blade of course can be used all throughout, but the other stuff was pricey. Meghan took to fencing like a natural and was shocked at how much exercise she was getting. She said it was like ballet with weapons. She's joined the fencing club in college and is so happy to be back into it. The majority of kids who try it feel that way, so make sure you are up to the financial investment before jumping in. Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristavws Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 I'd love to try it myself (lifelong fantasy). Me too! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kristavws Posted September 7, 2008 Author Share Posted September 7, 2008 Keep in mind that if they like it and get good, that this can be an expensive sport. Tournaments are one weekends, and at some point you will be expected to travel - if you want to get to the good tournamnents - especially ones with college scouts (we aren't doing this yet, they are 14). They will eventually need their own weapons and clothing - when they grow you need new stuff. I'm one of those people that checked 100-200/mo per kid. That said, it is a wonderful sport for a child that is interested - lots of homeschoolers fence, late nights are common for teens. My sons have grown so much doing this sport, they work with younger kids, referee tournaments, they have gained a great deal of poise and maturity. We have never regretted it, just wish we had gone into it knowing what we were in for. Would you mind providing me with a general breakdown of the costs? Dh was asking me about this. We live in an area where fencing is really popular - two of the women that won Olympic medals this year in fencing are from our general area. Thanks - Krista Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 Ds took 3 years of fencing at VAF here in NoVa. Loved it--actually, he took two sessions of regular fencing, then switched to historical swords. We dropped about 100 bucks a month on it--four lessons a month and two practice times a week, which were open fencing and which ds never went to... For a non-team player, it's a great way to get in a sport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted September 7, 2008 Share Posted September 7, 2008 United States Fencing Association: http://www.usfencing.org/usfa/ Fencing.Net: http://www.fencing.net/ HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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