By: Laurel Elfenbein
What is one thing that most American children will list as a favorite past time? Poking people! It is not uncommon to see children outside, running around with large sticks, chasing their friends. What if there was a sport that involves jabbing people with pointy objects, while teaching discipline, balance and quick thinking? A sport like this does exist- and it’s called fencing.
A few weeks ago, I was spotted by Spotlight to go behind the scenes to unravel the secrets of fencing. I wondered, what the appeal of using me was in this situation? I was encouraged to try the sport on the account that I was “skinny like a fencer” and that “I’m not athletic so it would be funny.” Despite the of-FENCE I took to Spotlight’s reasoning, I decided I would at least give it a try.
To add insult to injury, I would be fencing with young children. Never having taken a fencing lesson in my life, I had to start at a beginner level. The class I attended was for fencers ages 6 to 9. I imagined myself in all white, fighting children. The picture in my head appeared similar to Dr. Evil and Mini Me battling with swords.
Before I knew it, I had my own teenage movie montage: standing in front of my closet looking for comfortable white clothes to wear. I thought I should try to fit in with the other fencers as best I could, like a sort of camouflage, therefore wearing all white seemed reasonable. I threw on a pair of sneakers and mentally prepared myself for the difficult task ahead.
My cheerleader and camera woman for the night, Liz Major, and I arrived at the Presbyterian Church on Springfield Ave, early and prepared for my lesson. We watched as the experienced, professional fencers stabbed at each other with the pointy foils. Fencing with the small, inexperienced children began to look more appealing.
The lesson began as I engaged in a round of dodge ball with the five other boys in the class and Mrs. Alena Lamiamskaya, our instructor. As expected, I was eliminated from the game by a boy half my size and age. Luckily, my trusty camera woman Liz captured the embarrassing moment on film.
We then proceeded to play Red Light Green Light, and practiced proper fencing stance and movement. If you are inclined to waltz into the fencing world, remember the importance of keeping your feet open in a 90 degree angle, knees always bent, and shuffling forward one foot at a time.
After warming up, we all strapped on our fencing gear. The first layer was a single sleeved white vest-like jacket, with numerous straps, which the second graders had to explain to me how to maneuver. Next, I was zipped into the long sleeved, one-piece white garment that felt like putting on a large diaper. Finally, I slipped on a single glove, slid the fencing mask over my head and grabbed a sabre.
I remembered the advice Alli Barry, a medal-winning fencer and CHS student, gave me, “Fencing requires quick thinking and the ability to identify the target instantly”. Alli has been fencing for almost two years, though most fencers begin lessons at age 8. We started off by advancing (attacking) each other by turn. Partnering with someone 18 inches shorter made it easy for me to lunge and tap the small child on the head with my sabre.
Soon, Mrs. Lamianskaya introduced us to a few blocking methods. After getting hit in the gut multiple times, I abandoned attempting the customary blocking techniques and just tried to whack my opponent’s oncoming saber away from my bruised body. For the last ten minutes of class, the boys crowded around me, all eager for a turn to beat me with their sabres. Back and forth, retreating and advancing, I waved my sabre, unwilling to accept defeat.
As I began to take off my gear (which I approximated would take half an hour), a more advanced fencer around my own age asked if I would like to practice with her. I had been watching the advanced fencers during my slow-paced lesson. They were more aggressive than a pack of wolves, and I was certain this girl would kill me. But I decided to try, which proved to be beneficial as she wound up giving me many helpful tips and pointers.
In general, I really enjoyed my experience fencing. It was an excellent workout and I realized fencing is more than just stabbing opponents with a sword. The sport teaches precision, accuracy, quick reaction, and discipline. My only complaint is that it is as hot as a sauna in the helmet.
If you are interested in giving fencing a try, check out Cranford’s own American Fencing Center, located at the Presbyterian Church on Springfield Avenue. Or visit their website at http://myfencingcenter.com.
