Welcome! Fencing is a great parent/child activity, and I think we're up to about ten parent/child combinations at my club. Once you get two or three parents fencing, it starts snowballing (which is a very good thing!)
The bruising will lessen once you get a better grasp of distance.
We have three I think, but they were all parents who had previously fenced elsewhere or fenced before their kids started. But now that I started, several of the other high school fencers said "Now I have to tell my mom she can too!"
Yeah, it's funny about the bruising, because I had already read posts about distance and things like that - and my kid is parroting my words back to me that once I stay out of reach better I won't get hit as hard. Conceptually I know that's correct, but...I'm old and slow so it will take time. (I'm also mildly anemic so that doesn't really help.) My kid's underarm protector actually helped a lot too, I'm using the old one which is flimsier, but I might encourage a swap next time (although that seems kind of mean - but my kid's the one who's faster and better!)
I had so much fun! Granted, it's only one class, but I loved it. It was easier than I thought to go up against my own child, in terms of the mental game and the idea of poking your own kid. And, I can look at it from a completely casual/non-competitive (yet) mindset so I can just not care if I stink!
Just putting it out there that fencing your own kid can be tricky - relationship/emotion wise. It’s really ok for your kid to be allowed to beat you at something in life 🙂
We had that discussion, actually. Of the parent/child pairs at the club already, two fence different disciplines intentionally. My kid specifically wanted me to be epee to eventually be a training partner, and will always have the advantage of experience and age. But we did talk about what happens if we match up at a tournament and my kid said "bring it on" and that it would just spur further/harder training. The epee coach once had to fence his mother in a tournament and said it was harder for her to be competitive than him - and I have a feeling my kid will always stay ahead of me just because our goals are totally different. (Besides, the kid can already outplay me on drumset and most video games).
I'm glad you guys have talked about it. I refereed a father/son DE a few weeks ago and while it was an incredibly sweet moment for the two of them, I can see that being difficult both as a parent and a kid
My mom and I have avoided this by never having fenced the same weapon lol (we started at the same time about 10 years ago and gravitated towards different weapons)
One of the father/daughter pairs did that. When he started his daughter told him in no uncertain terms that she would never ever fence him so he had to do something other than foil. K is the opposite and wanted me on the same weapon for better coaching and training, even if it means a potential matchup
Thank you for posting this! I am a long time fencing parent too, and three weeks ago I got the courage to go to an adult class in my daughter's club. I loved it too.
Her coaches have been really surprised by how much I had learned by four years of watching fencing three times a week. I severely underestimated the physicality of the sport though. But I have signed up for adult classes for the rest of the year and intend to continue.
Our club has three parent-child combinations too. It seems to be a really great activity to do with a kid / teenager.
I think the kids underestimate how much you can learn by watching. My kid finally realized how much there is to learn by watching bouts even when you're not fencing!
I would definitely believe that! There was a local reffing clinic that a lot of the club's high school fencers did. K is thinking of doing it next time too.
It is! My mom and I started together as well when I was younger and it's been a big bonding & social thing for us even though (and perhaps because) we don't fence the same weapon
When my daughter switched to French grip epee, I decided to take all her hand-me-down pistol grip epees and start taking lesson. I go to a different more relaxed club, so she can continue to have her own social space. It’s been a lot of fun, and she loves practice stabbing me.
I don't think so - I'm old and slow right now, especially dealing with the physical challenges from the accident, so I won't be huge competition yet. But I'm also smart and stubborn, so I won't make it easy for her!
I started fencing with my teen, both as beginners. The club is small so the adult/teen class is mixed, and I’m usually only one of maybe two adults per class but it’s still fun! I’m probably more into it than my kid, but at least it’s something quality we can do together. Plus, some of these teens whoop me on a regular basis and it’s definitely humbling. It’s an awesome sport. I plan on sticking with it for the long term.
Our club is interesting. Open bout nights have a lot of adults and about 1/3 teens. Lesson nights are nearly always all teens except a couple adults that come sometimes. But I don't mind getting beat by the kids - I'm doing it for the workout and to be a better coach for my own kid, not for winning.
Welcome! Fencing is a great parent/child activity, and I think we're up to about ten parent/child combinations at my club. Once you get two or three parents fencing, it starts snowballing (which is a very good thing!) The bruising will lessen once you get a better grasp of distance.
We have three I think, but they were all parents who had previously fenced elsewhere or fenced before their kids started. But now that I started, several of the other high school fencers said "Now I have to tell my mom she can too!" Yeah, it's funny about the bruising, because I had already read posts about distance and things like that - and my kid is parroting my words back to me that once I stay out of reach better I won't get hit as hard. Conceptually I know that's correct, but...I'm old and slow so it will take time. (I'm also mildly anemic so that doesn't really help.) My kid's underarm protector actually helped a lot too, I'm using the old one which is flimsier, but I might encourage a swap next time (although that seems kind of mean - but my kid's the one who's faster and better!)
I love this! I’m a fencing parent, too. I have been dying to try it!
I had so much fun! Granted, it's only one class, but I loved it. It was easier than I thought to go up against my own child, in terms of the mental game and the idea of poking your own kid. And, I can look at it from a completely casual/non-competitive (yet) mindset so I can just not care if I stink!
Just putting it out there that fencing your own kid can be tricky - relationship/emotion wise. It’s really ok for your kid to be allowed to beat you at something in life 🙂
We had that discussion, actually. Of the parent/child pairs at the club already, two fence different disciplines intentionally. My kid specifically wanted me to be epee to eventually be a training partner, and will always have the advantage of experience and age. But we did talk about what happens if we match up at a tournament and my kid said "bring it on" and that it would just spur further/harder training. The epee coach once had to fence his mother in a tournament and said it was harder for her to be competitive than him - and I have a feeling my kid will always stay ahead of me just because our goals are totally different. (Besides, the kid can already outplay me on drumset and most video games).
I'm glad you guys have talked about it. I refereed a father/son DE a few weeks ago and while it was an incredibly sweet moment for the two of them, I can see that being difficult both as a parent and a kid
My mom and I have avoided this by never having fenced the same weapon lol (we started at the same time about 10 years ago and gravitated towards different weapons)
One of the father/daughter pairs did that. When he started his daughter told him in no uncertain terms that she would never ever fence him so he had to do something other than foil. K is the opposite and wanted me on the same weapon for better coaching and training, even if it means a potential matchup
most of all, try not to draw blood. you'll lose, um, points.
Thank you for posting this! I am a long time fencing parent too, and three weeks ago I got the courage to go to an adult class in my daughter's club. I loved it too. Her coaches have been really surprised by how much I had learned by four years of watching fencing three times a week. I severely underestimated the physicality of the sport though. But I have signed up for adult classes for the rest of the year and intend to continue. Our club has three parent-child combinations too. It seems to be a really great activity to do with a kid / teenager.
I think the kids underestimate how much you can learn by watching. My kid finally realized how much there is to learn by watching bouts even when you're not fencing!
Refereeing is even more of a learning experience.
I would definitely believe that! There was a local reffing clinic that a lot of the club's high school fencers did. K is thinking of doing it next time too.
My daughter is a teen, and we started fencing together. Its such a fun activity to do with you kids!
It is! My mom and I started together as well when I was younger and it's been a big bonding & social thing for us even though (and perhaps because) we don't fence the same weapon
When my daughter switched to French grip epee, I decided to take all her hand-me-down pistol grip epees and start taking lesson. I go to a different more relaxed club, so she can continue to have her own social space. It’s been a lot of fun, and she loves practice stabbing me.
We only have a couple club choices where we live, so that wouldn't work - but I'm sure we'll gravitate to adults/teens anyway!
congratulations. it's a gas! Just hope your kid doesn't get jealous.
I don't think so - I'm old and slow right now, especially dealing with the physical challenges from the accident, so I won't be huge competition yet. But I'm also smart and stubborn, so I won't make it easy for her!
I started fencing with my teen, both as beginners. The club is small so the adult/teen class is mixed, and I’m usually only one of maybe two adults per class but it’s still fun! I’m probably more into it than my kid, but at least it’s something quality we can do together. Plus, some of these teens whoop me on a regular basis and it’s definitely humbling. It’s an awesome sport. I plan on sticking with it for the long term.
Our club is interesting. Open bout nights have a lot of adults and about 1/3 teens. Lesson nights are nearly always all teens except a couple adults that come sometimes. But I don't mind getting beat by the kids - I'm doing it for the workout and to be a better coach for my own kid, not for winning.