Why is fencing such a great sport for kids?

Fencing is an amazing sport that requires an adaptable mind and athletic body. Not only is the sport amazing for health, but can sharpen one’s cognitive skills with the fast movements and reactions it teaches. Fencing is often described as the chess of sports, and it’s truly such a great marrying of athletic ability and mental agility.

Discipline is also hugely important to the sport, as it can be frustrating with how competitive it is, but the self-analysis and improvement aid fencers in growing as people and athletes.

In addition to this, fencing can provide a huge advantage in the college admissions process, with most elite or Top 20 schools having teams and viewing these athletes as real go-getters. Nick Itkin attested to how his fencing skills allowed him to attend Notre Dame and gave him a leg up on other candidates. 

Fencing took Nick Itkin to Notre Dame and the Olympics! Photo credit: #BizziTeam via USA Fencing

Fencing sounds bougie and expensive. Isn't it?

Fencing has a high barrier for entry with the gear being costly! That’s why Nick Itkin founded the Nick Itkin Foundation at the Los Angeles International Fencing Center in May of this year. These classes provide all the gear and instruction for free. Kids can drop in for one class and test it out, or come every Sunday to get better. 

If fencing is something your child takes to, Nick and his foundation will help point you to ways to make continuing on with the sport less financially burdensome. Scholarships are also plentiful for fencers, with the United States Fencing Association providing scholarship opportunities for all levels of high schoolers each year, on top of athletic scholarships made available at each school. 

Ok, but swords. Is fencing dangerous?

Not at all! Fencing equipment made available is incredibly safe with chest guards, masks, and specially made pants and jackets. As mentioned earlier, these are all provided by the club for the lessons at no cost. Also, fencing blades are not sharp and do not have pointed tips.

The fencing community is also extremely mindful of getting enough rest and taking care of your general physical health!

I'm in! How do I sign up for free lessons?

More information about the program is available on the website. But here's the scoop for parents: kids should be at least 6 years old, there is no equipment necessary, no experience whatsoever necessary (a love of Star Wars, The Princess Bride, or The Parent Trap helps—that's what got me into it!). You can take one class or come every Sunday. Learn more about the time and location of the free classes here.

As someone who has been fencing for a decade, I can tell you...... Try it! 

Jacob is the son of Mommy Poppins Managing Editor Meghan Rose. He's been fencing for 10 years at Silverlake Fencing and Avant Garde Fencers Club, and hopes to continue fencing this fall at UCSD and beyond. (Ed. Note: As a fencing mom, I can cosign that this sport is amazing for kids. It's a fantastic workout for the mind & body and fosters an incredible sense of individual achievement, teamwork, and sportsmanship.)