FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. Does it hurt if I am hit?
A. Sword fencing is a contact activity, the object of which is to score points by hitting your opponent with a metal blade. It would be astonishing if the sword fencers engaged in a bout did not collect bruises and small cuts from time to time. However, the protective equipment is very effective and the blades of the weapons are flexible, so injuries more serious than abrasions and bruises are rare.

The rules of etiquette also assist is reducing the risk of injury, as sword fencing is a respectful and gentlemanly (though vigorous) pursuit.
Likewise, if the sword fencers do not warm up properly, pulled and strained muscles will result, but the warm up at Loughton Fencing Club usually prevents such injuries.

Q. Is the club insured in respect of injuries sustained during a sword fencing session?
A. Yes, but you are invited to take out your own insurance with the British Fencing Association through Loughton Fencing Club.

Q. Must I have my own insurance?
A. No, unless you intend to enter certain competitions outside of Loughton Fencing Club.

Q. Is age (old, young, middle) a disadvantage or advantage?
A. No, unless you intend to train for the Olympics. There are expert sword fencers of all ages. See the "Sword Fencing Philosophy" section.

Q. Do I have to be very fit?
A. No, it is more important to be agile and flexible (than to be able to run a marathon) in sword fencing, but general fitness helps.

Q. If I sign on for a term, can I leave during that term?
A. Yes, but it might not be possible to give a refund of fees paid. Each case will be decided on its own facts.

Q. If I leave the club, can I return?
A. Yes, provided that the membership list has not been closed due to a large number of new members having joined, in which case your name can be placed on a waiting list.

Q. Do I have to buy my own kit?
A. Initially Loughton Fencing Club will lend kit to you, so that you can try sword fencing and decide if it is for you. However, if you join the club, you will be expected to purchase your own kit, possibly in stages; to spread the cost Loughton Fencing Club can sometime secure a discount on kit from certain suppliers.

Q. How much does the kit cost?
A. That depends on what you buy and from which supplier. As a starting point and an example, a basic steam foil, under plastron, jacket, mask and glove will be about £150-£200 in total from a British supplier.

Q. What will it cost to join Loughton Fencing Club?
A. Fees for each person are £50 per term payable quarterly in advance, there being four terms per year, the total cost per year is £200.

Q. What will fencing do for me?

Make you fitter both mentally and physically.
Make you cunning and crafty - or more cunning and crafty if you are already so.
Make you more agile.
Give you a better posture.
Give you confidence.
Develop hidden skills in you.
Develop your stamina.
Make new friends for you.
Develop your balance and poise.
Provide you with a new vocabulary.
Give you a superb icebreaking subject for job interviews/parties/chatting up people.

"Once you fence you become less tense."

Q. Why should I join Loughton Fencing Club?

There are many sword fencing clubs around the country and Loughton Fencing Club is not going to say that one is better than another. We would say that our club is fairly unusual in that the atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with juniors and seniors, boys and girls, men and women, all fencing alongside each other. Many clubs do not take juniors and those that do take them often hold separate sessions, with juniors fencing and leaving before seniors.

By allowing all ages to fence at the same time, there is a cross fertilisation of ideas and the juniors can observe the seniors and vice versa.

Our aim is to help you to fence with swords quite quickly and safely in a congenial and friendly environment. You will encounter a variety of people from diverse backgrounds who come together to fence on a Wednesday evening.

If you like the idea of the benefits listed in the section "What Will Fencing Do For Me?" you will probably want to come along and give sword fencing with us a try.