fencing

[Anonymous]

Thinking about trying fencing for my 10 year old. Anyone have any comments or advice, e.g. how competitive, costs, good fencing program in Va, important qualities to be good? I don't know anything about it.

[Anonymous]

I don't know anything about how it works in this area, but my sister fenced in HS and college and coached at a private fencing club until about three years ago. My two best friends also fenced in HS and college. Happy to share what I know from their experiences.

First, what is your motivation for signing up your DC? From your post it sounds like it may be your idea than theirs. As with any sport, it helps if DC wants to do it. My sister had a lot of students whose parents signed them up bc it was perceived to be a unique activity for college applications. Also, because of the smaller pool of athletes, potentially easier to get a college scholarship, though I only know one person who ever received a fencing scholarship. There are also a limited number of colleges with teams.

If DC gets to a competitive level, there will be a lot of travel to meets. We had a fencing team at my high school, which often traveled by bus 2-3 hours each way, sometimes to other states, for meets. If you do private/club instruction Lots of regional, weekend meets - kind of like any other travel sport.

Not sure on equipment prices, but by the time my sister was 16 she had her own equipment. Most of it lasted her almost ten years. I'm guessing most clubs have rental/demo options

It tends to be a fairly tight knit community because it's so small. At least in the northeast, many kids know each other from competing against each other in HS and college, and/or Junior Olympics (my sister and friends all competed at that level and didn't start until 13 but I understand many kids are starting younger these days)

It requires a lot of physical stamina. It's very strategic. It's not the "coolest" sport but has it's own cache of coolness by virtue of being different.

[Anonymous]

Kendo may also be an option. It may be more accessible financially. The Japanese martial arts are not for profit. It's not quite the same sport but is sportified swordsmanship.

[Anonymous]

Why not "with" you 10yo? Could be fun to learn and practice together? There is an amazing program in Silver Spring that could probably give you some leads in VA.

http://dcfencing.com/

[Anonymous]

My son is 9 and started fencing 2 years ago. He started with a Learn to Fence program to see if he really liked it. It was 8 weeks long. He loved it and wanted to take weekly classes. One class per week runs us $90/month. Of course now he wants to take a private lesson too so that is more $$$. His equipment was bought in 2 stages so it wasn't as much of a sticker shock. He first got a glove, mask and foil. A year later, he got a jacket, underarm protector, lame, fencing knickers (they are actually baseball pants since they fit him better than actual fencing knickers) and an electric foil and cords. I would estimate all of it together was somewhere around $300ish. He does club in-house tournaments only right now at $30 a tournament. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

Come on, do a real sport