Chiang Mai Fencing Club is happy to announce...

[FolkGuitar]

This past weekend, the Royal Thai Navy sponsored a huge international Fencing Tournament in Bangkok. There were over 390 competitors, 122 of them from 14 different countries around the world. This is one of the largest regular (this was the 14th year it ran) fencing tournaments in Asia. The Chiang Mai Fencing Club sent three of its members to compete.

Three of us brought home four medals; one Silver Medal, and three Bronze Medals. No other group or club did as well. In this last year alone, our club has stood on the awards podium six different times.

Come join us. We'll teach you how to fence, get you into top physical condition while having a great time doing it, and then you can join us at next year's tournament!

[gingerandtabby]

When and where do you meet?

[FolkGuitar]

When and where do you meet?

We meet every Saturday during the day and on Wednesday evenings. As more and more people join us we plan to fence two or three evenings a week.

We have our own Fencing 'Salle' (or club room if you prefer,) with two fully electrified fencing strips, very close to Wat Ched Yot. We have club equipment (no charge) for visitors or new players to use (full protective uniforms, masks, and gloves,) in a wide range of sizes, plenty of fencing weapons to choose from, and people more than willing to teach you (for free) how to fence. There are no dues, or fees, but we do donate 50-100 baht to cover the washing of the equipment and replacement and repair. The equipment really does take a beating.

If you'd like to come and give it a try, or just sit and watch for a while, send me a PM and I'll give you times and directions how to get to the Fencing Salle.

Everyone is welcome to try. We have old men and young kids (kids should be at least 10-12yrs) Men and women. Thai, Italian, American, British, Norwegian, Spanish, Canadian... truly an international group! Some have just started last month, others have been fencing for years. I began fencing 53 years ago. I can't move around as fast as the 25yr olds, but I can out-think 'em! And fencing is more about thinking than moving!

[augustwest]

Way to go Steve

[Dante99]

Congratulatione. Got to love it, a fencing club from Chiang Mai.

[stoneyboy]

En Garde.

Bravo.

[FolkGuitar]

Congratulatione. Got to love it, a fencing club from Chiang Mai.

Not only a fencing club from Chiang Mai, but a fencing club that brings home the bacon!

Smallest club in Thailand, smallest club to show up at a major International Tournament, and the ONLY club to bring home four Medals!

We may not have many members...yet..., (there are about 10 of us regulars now,) but we do know how to fence! And we can teach you, too. It's not difficult. It is an art, but you don't need artistic talent to play for fun. At a tournament two months ago, our youngest member, 14yrs old, only fencing for less than one year, took a Bronze Medal in her age group.

If you are getting bored sitting around behind the computer or watching TV, and realize that you are taking up more space in your chair than you used to, and you'd like a little excitement in your life that your spouse won't object to, give it a try. For the first couple of weeks you'll only be able to play for a few minutes before tiring. You do need to build up some muscle, increase your stamina (can you climb three flights of stairs without taking a break in the middle?) and you WILL lose some excess baggage, but you do it slowly and while having a great time. After a few weeks, you'll be amazed to see that you can fight for an hour or two without needing O2! It's full combat without getting hurt. It's a chess game without the slow, boring parts. It's playing The Three Musketeers, The Dread Pirate Roberts, Errol Flynn, and Capt.Jack Sparrow right here in Chiang Mai. Most of all... it's a hell of a lot of fun!

Edited September 2, 2015 by FolkGuitar

[FolkGuitar]

Just so you'll understand what you're seeing in this photo, the weapons being used is called an 'Épée.' It can only attack with its point via a thrust. With this weapon, point contact to any part of the body (head to toe) constitutes a valid hit. Here, the Fencer on the Right (FoR) has initiated an attack by extending his weapon with a thrust, and executing a direct attack at his opponent's right thigh. The Fencer on the Left (FoL) tries to jump backwards out of reach while simultaneously extending his weapon to attack FoR's chest. He is too close for his jump to be effective and his point has missed, sliding past FoR's chest. In this case, FoR is awarded a point. Had the attack to the chest been successful, both fencers would have received points. Most 'duels' fought in the Old Days were fought to 'First Blood,' not to the death. In the case of simultaneous hits, both parties would have drawn blood. 'Épée' fencing is the most 'realistic' of the three fencing weapons... very few rules... but no blood.