Starting fencing as an adult: veterans' categories, avoiding injury, finding a club
TUREFF• •0
Plenty of people first pick up a foil, épée or sabre in their thirties, forties or later. Fencing is a sport where experience, tactics and timing count for a great deal, and there is a whole competitive world built for older fencers. This guide is for adults thinking about starting: what veterans' fencing is, how to look after your body, and how to find a club that suits you.
Is it too late to start?
No. Adult beginners' courses are common, and many clubs have members who started as adults and now fence regularly or compete. You will not become an Olympian, but you can become a good fencer and have a lot of fun doing it. Adults often learn the tactical side faster than children, because they are better at thinking about what the opponent is doing.
Veterans' fencing
Competitions for older fencers are known as veterans' events. Age categories differ between organisations and have changed over time, but international and many national veterans' events commonly use bands by decade, such as 40 to 49, 50 to 59, 60 to 69, and 70 and over. Some events use different bands, for example a lower starting age for one category, and the age that counts is often the age you reach during the competition year rather than on the day.
Check your national federation's rules for the categories it uses. Many countries run national veterans' championships, and there are continental and world veterans' championships for those who want to aim higher. Plenty of veterans also fence in ordinary open competitions alongside younger fencers.
Avoiding injury
Fencing is a low-contact sport, but it is asymmetric and explosive, which puts particular strain on some joints. Common problem areas for adults are knees, ankles, calves, Achilles tendons, hips and the lower back.
- Warm up properly every session, with gradually faster footwork and dynamic stretches. Do not walk straight onto the piste.
- Build up slowly. Start with one or two sessions a week and let your body adapt before adding more.
- Lunge within your range. Land with the front knee over the ankle, not beyond the toes. Overlong lunges are a common cause of knee pain.
- Strengthen the other side. Because you always lead with the same leg, add simple strength work for both legs, the hips and the core.
- Wear proper shoes with support and a good grip, and replace them when they are worn.
- Cool down and stretch afterwards, especially the calves and hip flexors.
- Listen to pain. Sharp pain, especially in the Achilles or knee, means stop. Get persistent pain checked by a doctor or physiotherapist.
If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, or a previous joint injury, talk to a doctor before starting. Tell your coach about any health issue that might affect you.
Finding the right club
- Use your national fencing federation's club finder. In the UK that is British Fencing; other countries have their own.
- Look for an adult beginners' course, ideally separate from the children's one.
- Ask whether the club lends kit during the course, and what happens afterwards.
- Watch a session if you can: is the atmosphere welcoming, are beginners paired sensibly, and is the coaching qualified?
- Check which weapons the club teaches. Some clubs focus on one, others teach all three.
- Ask whether there are other adults or veterans at the club; fencing is more fun with people at a similar stage.
Setting expectations
Your first months are about footwork, distance and simple actions. Free fencing comes gradually. Many adults find their first competition, often a local or club event, a big confidence boost, but there is no obligation to compete at all.
Did you start fencing as an adult, or are you thinking about it? Share your questions and experiences in the comments below.