Sword fighting plays a significant role in famous adventures. King Arthur wielded Excalibur. His Knights of the Round Table used potent ones. King Peter in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe learned to handle and care for a sword. He fought a wolf to protect his siblings, and later, in Prince Caspian, he dueled, on behalf of his army, an evil leader. Aragorn, the mysterious ranger and king in The Lord of the Rings, claimed the storied sword of his fathers, titling it Flame of the West. Even the small, yet consequential hobbit had a sword, one that had a special power.
Though the modern world no longer uses swords in combat, many thousands of young people train with them in a sport known as fencing. Like basketball, soccer, or baseball, fencing is a challenging activity that requires knowledge of fundamental techniques, conditioning, and intense practice. Many children and teenagers participate in fencing tournaments, and some go on to compete in Olympic events.
Fencing clubs offer instruction, coaching, and training opportunities. One can contact a local fencing club and schedule a training session. Generally, one will begin with running and stretching drills, form drills, and basic sparing. A local club in my area provides all of the equipment: chest guard, jacket, mask, glove, and sword.
If you want to get fit, improve your hand-eye coordination, make friends, and compete, fencing might be for you. It’s fun, enhances knowledge, and boosts confidence.
