This experience is designed to improve your communication skills through a physical activity and broaden your recreational therapy horizons.

Fencing, which is also known as modern fencing to distinguish it from historical fencing, is a family of combat sports using bladed weapons.

Fencing is one of four sports which have been featured at every one of the modern Olympic Games. The sport of fencing is divided into three weapons:

Foil—a light thrusting weapon that targets the torso, including the back, but not the arms. Touches are scored only with the tip; hits with the side of the blade do not count, and do not halt the action. Touches that land outside of the target area (off-target) stop the action, and are not scored. Only a single hit can be scored by either fencer at one time. If both fencers hit at the same time, the referee uses the rules of right of way to determine which fencer gets the point.

Sabre—a light cutting and thrusting weapon that targets the entire body above the waist, excluding the hands. Hits with the edges of the blade as well as the tip are valid. As in foil, touches which land outside of the target area are not scored. However, unlike foil, these off-target touches do not stop the action, and the fencing continues. In the case of both fencers landing a scoring touch, the referee determines which fencer receives the point for the action.

Épée—a heavier thrusting weapon that targets the entire body. All hits must be with the tip and not the sides of the blade. Touches hit by the side of the blade do not halt the action. Unlike foil and sabre, Épée does not use right of way, and allows simultaneous hits by both fencers. However, if the score is tied at the last point and a double touch is scored, nobody is awarded the point.

What You Will Learn:

You will be given a description of the history, rules, safety equipment and techniques of the three weapons: Foil, Epee and Sabre.

What you will need to bring:

If you are going to participate (as opposed to just observe) you should wear loose, comfortable long pants. Sweat pants would work well. A t-shirt that you will sweat through, a towel, and some dry cloths to change into afterwards.

What we will provide:

We have all the equipment you will need to try fencing. We also have a water fountain, and a vending machine(coins only) with soda and snacks. There is a small fridge with Gator-aid and water for $1.

Directions:

From your location, head towards the Airport and Hillsborough Ave near where it crosses Veteran’s Expressway. You will want to go East from the Veteran’s.

On Hillsborough Ave, you want to look for Hoover Blvd, which is at a light, across from Air Cargo. Go North on Hoover.

There is a business park on the left. You can turn into the front section, but you will want to go to the back of the building. See the image below to show parking and where to enter the building.

Mark Jones is our instructor for this class.

Cost: $5