Sports writer ROB ILES was invited along to a fencing training session. Here's how he got on
THE sound of swords clashing and screeching of feet echo around the hall I am about to enter.
Wearing a thick jacket, a glove and a mask, I am about to discover the thrill of fencing for the first time after being invited along by Cotswold Fencing Club – based at GL3 in Churchdown – the club where wheelchair fencer, and Rio 2016 hopeful, Piers Gilliver trains.
The junior session has just finished and now it is the turn of the adults, although I use that word loosely as some of them are still in school but at an advanced enough stage to compete with their elders.
Instructor Kevin Nelson takes me to one side to talk me through the basics. For someone who hasn't tried a new sport for a long time, it takes a while for some of the information to sink in but his relaxed approach makes me feel at ease.
Kevin teaches fencing full-time, travelling all around the region, teaching children in junior schools to pensioners still looking for good ways to keep fit.
The weapon I am using is foil, as opposed to eppe or sabre, which Kevin explains is the basic practice weapon and perfect for a beginner like me as it can be manoeuvred easily.
For someone going in with little knowledge about fencing, it becomes quickly apparent that etiquette is an important part and I learn how to salute the opponent, standing with my back straight and my mask off, raising the sword into a vertical position.
Then into the action, once I manage to get my mask back on properly and get the starting position right – leading foot pointing forward with my knees and elbow bent.
The first thing I am shown is how to attack by stepping into the opponent. "Make sure you extend your arm fully," says Kevin, who has been chairman of the club for six years and is starting a new class in Tewkesbury next month.
Despite all the protective gear we're both wearing, I am naturally reluctant to go flying in, as if I'm going to cause some sort of damage he's never experienced in 25 years of doing this before.
Kevin attacks me, extending his arm fully, but I could only feel a light prod.
Next is the lunge, the most common way of delivering an attack which seems to come a bit more naturally to me.
I am shown how to parry and riposte, essentially blocking the opponent's blade and then attacking them, then how to disengage, by pointing the sword down and moving in another direction to avoid the parry, which is more difficult than it looks and is a movement that requires a certain grace I don't seem to possess as I struggle to get my aim right.
After my "crash course", Kevin pits me up against Jon Pritchett, an 18-year-old who has been fencing for three years.
He tells me how he likes fencing because of the "elegance" and because "it's not about how fast or strong you are but about timing", as I am about to find out.
In order to score any points I need to hit him in the torso. I immediately find myself on the back foot but I gradually begin to put everything I've just learned into practice – the problem is my opponent has usually got an answer to it.
Luckily, we were not keeping count but I think I manage to make contact on a couple of occasions and feel quite pleased with myself as I shake his hand at the end of the battle.
With all the protective gear on and after being manoeuvred around by the energetic youngster, I feel myself starting to break sweat and can see the fitness benefits.
Next I face Richard Wood, who has been fencing for a year and after he passes on some useful tips I gradually feel like I might be getting the hang of it, or maybe Richard was just going easy on me.
"You've got good reflexes," he says, probably out of kindness, surprised that I've never done this before.
By the end I'm breathing quite heavily and happy to get the warm protective gear off, but feeling satisfied with the workout I've just had and able to reflect on an enjoyable experience.
I can see why it is the kind of sport which grips you and I would definitely like to try it again.
Kevin said: "I turned up one night and I haven't left since.
"I took it up for fitness and I went from there."
