In my eight years at Hockaday, I have tried many sports. From D-team volleyball in eighth grade to medaling nationally on the varsity rowing team, I’ve spent hours becoming a coordinated, strong athlete. However, that all did next to nothing in my pursuit of fencing.

We’ve all seen them: shuffling about the small gym and on the occasional @hockadayathletics_ post (#underrepresentation). But, as most athletes believe, other sports don’t seem that challenging in comparison to your own. So, when I originally signed up for this, I didn’t anticipate sweating more in that sauna suit (the fencing uniform) than I do at my own practice.

Fencing is exhausting. During a bout, or an individual competition between fencers, each competitor remains squatting for roughly 10 minutes. They move forward and backward on a small fencing piste. To do this, fencers use complicated footwork that requires complete balance as they lunge, advance and retreat back to “en garde”- the resting position.

While the shuffling like a crab didn’t scare me off too much, the gear definitely succeeded. Most outsiders who’ve watched fencing are most fascinated by the blade, the épée. While the épée appears relatively thin and flexible, it can cause serious damage without proper protection. Unfortunately, I couldn’t test this theory on the other, unprotected Editor-in-Chief watching my practice (I’m waiting for the perfect moment).

When I say, “proper protection,” that includes underarm and chest plates, long socks, a thick jacket, a helmet and knickers (I couldn’t take myself seriously when suiting up, obviously). Also, many fencers wear shoes when practicing and competing to help their feet grip the floor when they advance and retreat. I highly do not recommend wearing your saddle oxfords.

As for the helmet, you slightly resemble a mosquito, but it’s easy to see through. However, the thing that inhibited my full potential as a fencer was the sweat procured during the hour I wore all this gear. It was inhumane. I was humbled during my hour of practice, but the sweat made me question if I was even athletic.

I think any student-athlete at Hockaday will agree when I say fencing is one of the least marketed sports at our school. I’ve gained such respect for fencing and every Hockaday student who chooses this unique, overlooked sport out of the 13 that we offer.

Thank you to fencing captains Anya Ahuja and Shifa Irfan for letting me try out your sport. To the readers, I hope my experience inspired you, if not to try out the sport yourself, but to learn more about it. Or, if you just want to watch my failure, check out our Instagram, @hockadayfourcast!

https://www.instagram.com/hockadayfourcast/reel/DAJ7Tx4R4nF/