Why I Fence — And Why You Should, Too!

Later life brings unfathomable pleasure and for me, at 76, one of the greatest surprises has been discovering the sport of fencing.

In my wildest dreams I would never have believed I'd become a fencer. As a kid with low vision, and as an adult with no vision, I sampled a whole buffet of sports with varying degrees of enthusiasm. I skied—both water and snow—canoed, and played beep baseball and goal ball. But fencing? That lived only in the world of movies like The Princess Bride or Shakespeare plays where actors swirl around with dramatic sword fights.

Honestly, I assumed fencing swords were sharp on the edges like knives (they're not!). So imagine my astonishment when my blind friend, Rabih Dow, casually mentioned that he is a fencer, that he coaches blind fencers, and that fencing actually complements orientation and mobility skills. My jaw hit the floor. Within days, I set out to learn everything I could, to feel the sport in my body, and to discover what the "blindness connection" was all about.

The Adventure Begins

The best and hardest part of starting out was finding a fencing coach willing and able to teach me. I now have fenced for three years and use all three swords, although epee is my favorite. The enjoyment of fencing continues to surprise me.

Strategy, Structure, and the Sweet Spot of Focus

Fencers move back and forth on a strip about 40 feet long and 6 feet wide. The referee halts the bout if anyone steps off the strip. That structure is perfect for me. With good training and careful attention, I can fence sighted opponents who wear a blindfold so the match is even.

I like to joke:
"I'm definitely the better blind person. You're probably the better fencer. Let's see who wins!"

Because many coaches use blindfold training to help sighted fencers improve technique, most fencers actually want to fence with me. They know that if they can fence well without sight, they'll fence even better with it.

Respect, Safety, and Zero Fear

One of the things I love most is the respect built into the sport. Safety and courtesy are non-negotiable in fencing. Likewise, properly fitted masks and jackets protect the head and body. So once you understand how everything works, the fear disappears and excitement takes over.

I now fence with kids and adults, even with college fencing coaches. And let me tell you: fencing is so much fun you forget you're exercising. I come home exhausted, head straight for the shower, and replay the best moves in my mind while planning new strategies for next time.

Fencing Anywhere, With Almost Anyone

Rabih travels with his fencing jacket everywhere. Wherever he goes, he finds a club where people are thrilled to fence him blindfolded. That kind of spontaneity is rare in sports and incredibly valuable.

And here's a bonus: if you have your own equipment (and a couple of friends who do too), you can literally practice fencing-moves in your backyard. Adventure is never far away.

Why I Love Fencing, And Why You Might Too

At the end of the day, I fence because it is:

• Fun
• Mentally stimulating
• Physically beneficial
• Socially rewarding
• Empowering for blind and low-vision athletes

No other sport has ever offered me such a rich combination of challenge, excitement, community, and personal growth.

If you're blind, or know someone who is, I hope you'll consider giving fencing a try. It may just open a door to a world of confidence, skill, and joy you never expected—just like it did for me.

Pat Pound practices Fencing in Austin, Texas and is happy to share her experience at PatPound10@gmail.com