Taking a stab at Fencing: Part 2

Last Friday, the BH team and I got to go to the Bucks County Academy of Fencing in Lambertville, NJ. We had been looking for a unique and equally challenging athletic experience and after coming across the Academy, our search did not need to go any further. I was extremely interested in trying my hand at something new. Head Fencing Master Maestro Mark Holbrow, a 36 year veteran of the sport, offered to teach me some of the basics. As a former collegiate soccer player and lifelong hockey advocate, I was confident that I would be able to learn the ropes fairly quickly. Easier said than done.

Lisa Martini, co-owner and operator, helped me find the appropriate equipment to use. Normally, I am the type of person who exudes confidence in the face of a new challenge. This challenge, however, took me completely out of my comfort zone. I was about to face off with a former US team member that competed in the 1986 World Fencing Masters Championship in Stuttgart, Germany. Maestro Holbrow was also 1 of only 12 coaches hand-selected from across the United States to take part in the U.S. Fencing Coaches “Black Star” elite coaches training program. I knew I was in the right place to learn, but the wrong place to battle.

After teaching me the proper salutes, footwork, and handwork, Maestro Holbrow got me started on attacking and defending. He pushed me to use correct form until I got it right; the positioning of my arms, my lunges, my ripostes. He wanted me to be exact, and I was. He boosted my confidence through some really good lessons. Then he took it away when I ignorantly challenged him to a 5 touch match. Pressing me to attack, I attempted various strikes. I even tried to fake my initial attack in order to catch him off balance. I forgot I was facing a Fencing Master. After easily fending off my thrusts for a while, toying with my pride and dignity, Holbrow had seen enough. Needless to say, I was finished quite effortlessly. The match ended 5-1. I can’t take credit for that point really though, he kind of stopped trying.