I hate to tell you this, but I’m basically a musketeer now. Or swashbuckler. Something like that. That’s the title you get when you take a fencing class right? Well that’s the title I gave myself after visiting Swordplay in Burbank. I tried fencing as part of my #MIH15by15 and it turns out it’s a great way to exercise and learn a new skill! Who knew? Okay lots of people probably knew that but now I do too.
All the stars aligned when my old, old, old (haha!) friend Nikki said she was coming in town for an impromptu visit. You see, Nikki is a highly skilled (albeit retired) fencer and was even ranked in the U.S. at one point. I could think of no one better to come watch me try to thrust a sword (he he he). Get your mind out of the gutter!
You can’t tell, but I’m terrified!
We visited Swordplay in Burbank and to my delight they had a ton of class options for beginners to swashbucklers. Nikki joined me and agreed to go easy on me.
We suited up, and learned about the different tools of the sport from our awesome teacher Scott. My heart was racing, which is probably why I was sweating from the start. I was also moving back and forth, dodging my opponents swipes and pokes. And trying to get in a few jabs of my own. Exciting! But it turns out, I’m terrified of stabbing someone or getting stabbed. Not an entirely unreasonable fear. It helped me realized fencing is a great workout option for those looking outside the fitness box. And, I have mad respect for fencers and musketeers.
Check out Swordplay or a fencing class near you and tell me how you did!
