Being the curiously inquisitive reporter that I am, attempting new sports and later writing about my athletically awkward endeavours has become one of my favourite journalistic pastimes.
In 2009 I made a serious effort to crack the roster of the U of S Huskies cheerleading team — unsuccessfully. I still can’t comprehend what a proper V-snap is and will likely never be able to hoist a woman above my head. So when it came time to decide what sport I wanted to embarrass myself in this time around, taking a stab at competitive fencing seemed to be the perfect solution.
When I first encountered my to-be fencing mentor Scott Dudiak in a history tutorial and he told me he fenced, my first response was, “Oh cool, I grew up on a farm and put up quite a few fences myself.” After shaking his head, Dudiak cleared up my confusion and explained that erecting fences was not his profession — he fenced competitively — as in the sport.
Shortly after arriving at the Salle Séguin Fencing Academy on Sept. 18 for my first seminar, I had a funny feeling I would run into Dudiak again. My instincts proved correct and as fate would have it, Dudiak was my appointed fencing instructor for the afternoon.
Since I had last crossed paths with Dudiak, the 21-year-old fencer had moved up to third overall in Canada in senior men’s foil. Dudiak was recently in San Jose fencing for Canada’s national team at the Pan-Am Games and has been to Europe and Asia to compete.
Contrary to how easy Zorro makes it look, mastering one’s sword in fencing proves a difficult and daunting task for the amateur. I asked Dudiak to not be easy on me — a request I later learned to regret.
After donning all the necessary equipment — two padded chest and torso protectors and a caged helmet, Dudiak gave me a foil and connected it to the electronic scoring system.
“The most difficult part of fencing is that you have to be relaxed and strong and you have to be thinking but you can’t get caught thinking too much.”
What surprised me first was the tiring nature of a fencing dual. Matches go to five points and can last a long time — that said, jumping around back and forth in two padded chest protectors and a stuffy head cage was a sweaty affair only comparable to a night on a steamy, crowded dance floor. Dudiak was quick to acknowledge that cardiovascular training is an important part of honing one’s fencing skills.
First educating me on the finer technical points of fencing, Dudiak’s first point of advice was to stay calm and relaxed. I felt such mantra was absurdly difficult to follow since I was simultaneously attempting to master the footwork of fencing, trying not to fall over myself, while also trying to swing my foil frantically in defence of Dudiak’s persistent and merciless advances.
After locking down the proper footwork I felt ballsy enough to lunge at my opponent with full force, hoping for a direct hit to his torso — a terrible idea. Patience is somewhat of a virtue in fencing, something I was unable to master in my first fencing lesson. Nearly perforating my left lung, Dudiak took advantage of my premature, clumsy attempt at striking him by extending his foil, which I collided with at a high speed. Had it been a real duel, Dudiak would have killed the shit out of me. Days after my fencing lesson, it still ached to breathe.
I learned a few noteworthy things about the sport en route to my four consecutive defeats at the hands of Dudiak. For instance, officials use French terminology to referee duels, three categories (foil, sabre and epp) of fencing exist and before every match opponents salute one another with their foil.
“Fencing is really hard. Most people have a perspective that it’s not strenuous and also easy,” said Dudiak of the sport’s perceived stereotypes.
“The most difficult part of fencing is that you have to be relaxed and strong and you have to be thinking but you can’t get caught thinking too much,” commented Dudiak.
Out of the many technical components fencing has to offer, Dudiak appreciates the mental aspect the most.
“I really like the tactics, how to out-think your opponent. I really love the feeling of knowing that your opponent has no idea what to do,” added Dudiak.
For anyone interested in becoming acquainted with fencing, Campus Rec will be hosting a fencing clinic on Oct. 17 at the Physical Activity Complex dance studio from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Unlike cheerleading, fencing is a sport I think I will one day attempt again — after my punctured lung heals, of course.
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image: Pete Yee