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A Feminist Fencer

When I started this course, my view of feminism didn’t quite feel right. I knew this for sure as soon as I was expected to say it out loud on my first day and I didn’t really believe in it. Then, I hoped that by the end of the course I would be able to reevaluate my own views and formulate opinions and strategies that I would be comfortable using in practical situations.

When I started fencing this semester, I was a foil (I’ll explain) fencer. However, after a while it just didn’t feel right. I switched to saber recently, which feels better. I have since been working hard to get back to the point where I can hold my own in competition.

It has struck me in these past few weeks, just how much these two spheres of my life have intersected in interesting ways.

Fencing and feminism have intersected in two ways:

1. Fencing is not often gender segregated - men and women are trained in the same way and are on the same playing field quite literally in mixed competition.
2. I have had conversations as well as confrontations with other fencers that have dealt with feminist principles. Learning to deal with those on an even playing field is important as well. Learning to cope with the intellectual side of this has developed much in the same way as my physical fighting ability. I’d like to show you in terms of an actual bout.

3 point Practice Bout

Ø Salute: acknowledge and evaluate opponent.

Ø En garde…Ready…Fence!

Ø Opponent tries to chase me off the strip with attack. I retreat to keep distance. He lunges. I cut at his arm, he hits me on the head.

Ø Halt!

Ø Referee: Attack from the right, counterattack from the left. Touch right. 1-0.

Ø En garde…Ready…Fence!

Ø Both leave en garde lines, lunge and hit each other on the shoulder.

Ø Halt!

Ø Referee: Simultaneous attack. Nothing done. Score stands 1-0.

Ø En garde…Ready…Fence!

Ø Opponent attacks my head. I parry. I lunge for the head first, but reconsider at the last minute and go for the flank. Opponent finishes on my shoulder.

Ø Halt!

Ø Referee: Attack from the right is parried. Reposte doesn’t arrive. Continuation of the attack is good. Touch right. 2-0

Ø En garde…ready…fence!

Ø I slow down, and actually consider what information my opponent is giving me. He rushes and attacks. I step out of distance and hit him on the wrist in his preparation.

Ø Halt!

Ø Referee: Attack in preparation from the left lands. Touch left. 1-2

Ø En garde…Ready…Fence!

Ø Opponent slows down a little bit and opens the distance. He’s learning from me as well. I respond with what I know. Back to basics. I use footwork to tease him back into my distance, take the blade for right of way and hit him on the head.

Ø Halt!

Ø Attack from the left arrives. Touch left. Score is 2-2.

Ø En garde…Ready…Fence!

Ø I know my opponent is an aggressive fencer. I just need to make him finish his attack and I can respond accordingly. Simple, controlled actions. He rushes at me again. I step into his distance. He completes his lunge and I parry. I go for the stop cut on the wrist, forgetting to let my own guard sufficiently shield my wrist. I leave the line open and he gets me with the tip of his sabre before I can complete the action.

Ø Halt!

Ø Attack from the right is parried. Reposte doesn’t arrive. Continuation of the attack lands. Score is 3-2. That’s bout!

Ø Salute and shake hands!