Hitting People with Swords Plus Great Cardio
Gregory Edison
September 16, 2009
Filed under Sports
On September 12-13, the Augusta Fencer’s Club held its first tournament of the season, drawing many competitors from all over Georgia, and South Carolina. Fencing is the sport of sword fighting.
Modern fencing takes place on a 45 foot long strip with the fencers connected to an electronic system which catalogs the hits that each fencer receives and determines if they are “on target” or not.
Fencing is separated into three categories: Foil, Epee, and Sabre. These names come from the weapons in use. Foil uses a lighter weapon and points are scored by hitting your opponent with the tip of the blade with the target area limited to the torso. Epee uses a heavier blade, and while the targets must also be scored using the tip, the entirety of your opponent’s body is viable to hit. Sabre, the last division, uses a modern cavalry sword. You can hit with the side of the blade as well as the tip, and the torso and head are included in the target area.
Two fencers engaged in a match at the Augusta Fencer's Club.
The tournaments, themselves, start with a single initial round of five touches each that determines each fencer’s rating. This rating determines who each fencer competes with during the first DE, direct elimination, round. These are 15 touches each and continue through till the finals.
Despite the complexity of some the nuances that define the sport, it is relatively easy to learn and has some distinct advantages over sports. Wesley McPherson (15) says “It’s one of the only contact sports I know that you don’t have to be buff to play well.”
Although you don’t have to be particularly “buff” the sport is still very athletic. “It’s different from other sports; hard and fun. A good way to exercise,” says Phys Cowling (15).
For more information contact The Augusta Fencer’s Club because “It’s fun, mentally and physically stimulating a sport everyone should try” according to Jessica Clark (18).
The Augusta Fencer’s Club is located on 134 Ninth Street Augusta, Georgia 30901, and it owned by Dr. Rudy Volkmann. Phone number (706)722-8878. Email www.augustafencers.com.
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
