I have been Fencing now for about 17-18 years.  I started at the ripe old age of 20,  more by accident than anything else. I gave a friend a lift to a club so that he could try it out and ended up having a go myself.  I was hooked and still fence while, ironically, my friend gave up after about 3 lessons!

I consider myself to be a social fencer and mainly a Foilist, although I have been known to fence competitively and to pick up a Sabre or Epee from time to time.  My competitive fencing hasn't been too successful, but I was runner-up in the 1992-93 BBO CFU Foil Rally and the winner in 1993-94!  

In 1992 I gained a 'Club Leaders' award from the British Fencing Association and and became a coach at Reading Activities Centre Fencing Club, where I taught children and adults Foil and Sabre.  In 1996, I spent a summer teaching foil at a Summer Camp in Northern Michigan.  2003 was my 8th year working / coaching at the camp.  By 2002, I was no longer the fencing 'area head' (I was Assistant Camp Director), but I was still very much involved with the program., In 2003 we introduced Sabre into the program, which was enjoyed by the campers and instructors alike!

Fencing is a great sport for men, women, boys and girls.  It combines physical fitness and mental agility - some call it combat chess!  For more information on fencing in general, follow these links to the British Fencing Association (BFA) web page, the United States Fencing Association (USFA) or here for a list of clubs in Michigan.

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