The Lumberjack

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Culture

Media Credit: Elizabeth Hilbig

For more than 40 years the Humboldt Fencing Club has been training students to be swordsmen and women.

"We're one of the oldest clubs on campus," said Fencing Club President Melanie Rowsey. "[But we're] not a social club, we're here to fence. Not make cookies."

Rowsey, a fourth-year fencing student is serious about fencing and insists that all club members adopt the same attitude.

"It takes a lot of dedication and persistence to fence," said Rowsey. Although she does say that very few people come to the club with any level of experience.

"Virtually everyone comes in clueless," said Rowsey. "[But we say] come as you are and we'll teach you what we know."

Her philosophy is echoed by almost all of the returning fencing students, who are happy to share their knowledge of blades and technique.

The principal fencing technique the club utilizes is classical fencing.

"We practice a practically unknown style of fencing… only three schools in the entire country use it," said Rowsey.

Fencing Club Secretary and Armour Benjamin Bowles, a third-year fencing student, said that the club is about learning the dueling art, not attempting to do recreations.

"We practice with historical weapons. We fight like they would have 400 years ago," said Bowles.

He says that the three weapons the club members practice with are the foil, the saber, and the eppe.

"[The foil] is a training weapon, it teaches the principles of combat. The saber is a classical dueling weapon, it's primarily used for cutting. An eppe is a thrusting weapon it delivers deep wounds," said Bowles.

Bowles and Rowsey's enthusiasm for fencing is shared by their fellow club members.

First-year club member Shaina Cohen, who described herself as a "super senior" at Humboldt State University, says she's always found fencing interesting.

"I like martial arts and there's a really long history of fencing in classical literature. I want to be able to write about it [fencing]," said Cohen.

Another first-year member is Bryce Peebles. He may be new to the fencing club, but he's not unfamiliar to having a foil in his hand.

Peebles was a competition fencer for several years before he came to Humboldt. He says he's enjoying the different style of fencing the club teaches.

Rowsey says that the Fencing Club competes up to six times a year and that all members are eligible to compete, as long as they're enrolled in intercollegiate fencing.

She also says that the club furnishes all of the necessary equipment to fence. All members need to bring is a positive attitude and non-scuff shoes.

The Fencing Club meets on Thursdays from 7-10 p.m. and Saturday from 2-5 p.m. in the West Gym, room 126.

Ann Pedersen can be contacted at acp31@humboldt.edu

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