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January 6, 2010

<a href="http://www.gtherald.com/local/local_story_006075210.html">Touche: Fencing is growing in region</a>

By CAROL SOUTH

TRAVERSE CITY -- The sport of fencing is a universe away from Hollywood's scenery-chewing, swashbuckling romps.

Avid fencer Doug Schultz of Traverse City likens fencing to physical chess -- played at 100 mph. Unlike in the movies, fencing is a serious sport that requires dedication and training to master the needed focus, quickness, strategy and stamina.

Now teaching the fundamental techniques to adults and older teens, he laughs at the usual mischaracterization by movie scriptwriters. Though Schultz does give "The Princess Bride" some chops.

"It's a good fencing movie," he said.

Enthusiastically heading a reworked and renamed club, Three Swords Fencing, Schultz is a proponent of the science and art of the ancient sport -- not the usual onscreen flailing. In his class, students learn the techniques, footwork, form and sword handling of the foil, one of three classic weapons along with the epee and sabre.

Fencing since 2003, Schultz began teaching classes through Northwestern Michigan College's Extended Education Services last year. Using the lightweight foils, which weigh 1.5 pounds, for the winter session he will offer beginning, intermediate and practice sessions. This spring, he is thrilled to also offer a youth fencing class geared to ages 9-13.

"You definitely have to have some dedication because it takes a while for that muscle memory to build up," Schultz said. "Beginners have the hardest time with it; you're talking about a lot of body positions that are foreign to everyone."

The tendrils of movie expectations have to be dealt with among new students, who quickly come to realize how much training is involved.

"I think there are some people who start the class with a different idea of what the sport is all about," he said, noting that attrition rate at classes can run 50 percent.

Schultz is determined to not just keep fencing alive in northwest Michigan but to take it to the next level: participate in fencing opportunities downstate. In Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing and the Detroit area, among others, the sport flourishes with clubs, competitions and training.

Popular interest in the sport does fluctuate in this country, where the East Coast is a hotbed of fencing. Interest is often pegged to Olympic years and the success of the U.S. Fencing Team. Schultz noted that fencers such as Mariel Zagunis, taking gold in the sabre at both the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, boost fencing's profile. Zagunis is only the second American to win a gold medal in Olympic fencing.

Encouragingly on the local scene, Schultz had a dedicated group of high school students in his fall session class at NMC. Their youth and enthusiasm will help both build the club and spread the word about fencing.

"These kids came along so fast, they take coaching real well and make corrections real quickly," he said. "Once you have a good foundation then things become automatic."

Ron Hardin of Acme is someone who has stayed with the sport, fencing for more than 10 years in the region. He started out learning from Bill Koucky, who for years kept fencing going and also taught Schultz. Hardin has been a member of all fencing classes in the region since he began, either as student, teacher or helper.

Hardin relishes the combined physical and mental challenge of fencing. A complex and demanding sport that features both offense and defense, he appreciates how each move and strategy has a form and reason behind it.

"It's just a lot of fun, about as much fun as you can have for free," he said. "It's an endurance thing, muscle fatigue because of the positions you're fencing in. After that, it just starts to feel right."

"The more you lose, the better you get," he said of training sessions.

Novice fencer Robert Brengman of Traverse City took his first class a year ago. Not knowing a thing about fencing beyond what co-worker Schultz told him, he has since learned to love it.

"The way it was described to me was a lot of action and endurance," he said. "It just seemed like everything fit."

For more information on the Three Swords Fencing club, see www.threeswordsfencing.com. For more information about upcoming fencing classes, which include beginning and intermediate levels, go to www.nmc.edu/ees. Select Personal Enrichment and then select the Recreation, Sports & Outdoor Activities option.

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