The Southwest Voice

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Fencing — to many this word means separating your property from that of another with a barrier or wall. It actually is the name of an Olympic sport with origins deep in the past. It is a sport that is fast and athletic — a far cry from the choreographed bouts seen on film or on stage. Instead of swinging from a chandelier or leaping from balconies, you will see two fencers performing an intense dance on a 6-by-44-foot strip. Movement is so fast that touches are scored electrically — much more like “Star Wars” than Errol Flynn in action.

Fencing for gold
Fencing is one of only four sports to be included in every modern Olympic Games since the first Olympics in 1896. Fencing was also a sport in the original Olympic Games in Ancient Greece. The tip of the fencing weapon is the second fastest moving object in sport; the first is the marksman’s bullet.

In April 2003, Keeth Smart was the first American fencer to achieve a No. 1 world ranking, winning the World Cup in Athens, Greece in men’s saber (also referred to as sabre) fencing. In 2004, Sada Jacobson was the first American woman to place No. 1 saber fencer in the world. Since that time, U.S. fencers have had great performances on the world stage, culminating this summer in Beijing, where the U.S. women’s team swept the competition by taking first, second and third place in saber. The men’s saber team took second place defeating the much stronger and higher rated European teams.

About the bout
Foil, épée, and saber are the three weapons used in the sport of fencing. While some fencers compete in all three events, elite competitors generally focus their energies on mastering one weapon. Competitors win a fencing bout, an individual “game,” by being the first to score 15 points (in direct elimination play) or five points (in preliminary pool play) against an opponent, or by having a higher score than an opponent when the time limit expires. Each time a fencer lands a valid hit (a touch) on an opponent, a point is scored. The time limit for direct elimination matches is nine minutes, three three-minute periods with a one-minute break between each.

Local sword play
There is a venue here in Bakersfield where those with ideas of swashbuckling and sword play can make them a reality. You can acquire swordsmanship skills that will allow you to compete in this high-tech sport. The local club has members from ages 10 to over 65 years old. It is a sport that has no age limits. Fencing athletes from Stockdale, East, and Garces high schools and Cal State Bakersfield, together with members of the general community, meet every Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Fruitvale Norris Building, 6221 Norris Road. There, as the Guerra Fencing Club, the group participates in lessons and competition for two hours each week.

Ethan Childress, former CSUB Fencing Club instructor and East High School teacher, and myself, a chemical engineer and nationally ranked local fencer, formed the club with the assistance of many participants from the CSUB Fencing Club and the Stockdale High School Fencing Club. Their efforts engaged fencing master Jose Guerra, who has had international competition and coaching experience. Guerra travels weekly from Antelope Valley to coach the class and give private lessons.

Several club members participate in USFA sanctioned tournaments, including the yearly Summer National Championships. I obtained seventh place in saber during the 2008 National Competition and rank ninth in the nation in saber in the veterans over 60 group.

Fencing is an NCAA sport. Several former club members have continued fencing in college. Guy Rodgers, a former club member and visitor when in town, is on the UCLA fencing team. Kim Silken, formerly from Stockdale High School, is on the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo fencing team.

Fencing is a great sport for families. Our club has a father and son who participate. This allows parents and children to develop a deeper understanding of each other and spend quality time together. As many martial arts do, fencing develops discipline, coordination, and stamina. Many call it “physical chess.”

Group lessons and private lessons are available. Fees are $65 per month and equipment is available for rental. If you are interested in participating or learning more about this Olympic sport, call Jose at 992-7327, or me at 319-2235.