Fred Bowen's "The Score" column,
February 16, 2001, Washington Post

Fencing Gets To the Point

Five blocks from my house, in a renovated warehouse, boys and girls are learning how to fight with swords. And their parents are cheering them on.

The place is the D.C. Fencers Club in Silver Spring. And the sword-fighting is the sport of fencing.

Fencing goes back a long time. It was popular in ancient Egypt and Japan and
in medieval Europe. It has been an Olympic sport since the modern games started up again in 1896.

Not that the kids care about all that history. They are too busy working on their game. Fencing takes a lot of concentration, skill and balance. It also takes quick reflexes. The fencers' feet and swords are in constant motion.

Don't worry, the swords aren't sharp. And the kids aren't really trying to stab each other. Fencers score points and win matches when the blunt tip of their sword merely touches their opponent. They also wear plenty of protective clothing -- cool mesh helmets and padded white vests that make them look like something out of a "Star Wars" movie.

I don't know much about fencing. So I talked with Janusz Smolenski, who runs the D.C. Fencers Club. Everyone calls him by his first name, Janusz (pronounced "Yan-noosh"). He is a fencing master from Poland (colleges in Europe give degrees in fencing) and has trained about 15 national champions of all ages in the past 10 years.

Here's our conversation:

What is a good age for kids to start fencing?

Fencing is not a good sport for very young children. The best age for children to start fencing is somewhere between 8 and 10 years old. Maybe even 11.

Is fencing dangerous?

Absolutely not. The equipment is very safe. In fact, there are almost no injuries
in fencing.

What skills do kids need to be good fencers?

One great thing about fencing is that all sorts of different athletes make good fencers. I have seen tall fencers, short fencers, fast and slow fencers. And they all were successful. But all fencers have to have the ability to react quickly.

What benefits can kids get out of fencing?

First, fencing helps children get fit, which is very important. Second, fencing helps children learn to pay attention and to develop their decision-making abilities. Fencers must make good, quick decisions. Fencing also helps children get out their aggressions. I like to tell people that fencing is a lot like boxing, but without anyone getting hurt.

Oh, and one more thing: Many great colleges have fencing teams and they are
always looking for people. Fencing may be one of the easiest ways to get into a
top school.

FRED BOWEN is the author of sports novels for kids. Write to him at KidsPost,
1150 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20071. Or e-mail (with "The Score" in the
subject field): kidspost@washpost.com.

© 2001 The Washington Post Company