In an effort to show off what fencing is all about, the Buffalo Fencing Club held a clinic at the Beacon Bay Country Club last weekend.
Demonstrated by South African master’s coach and 2008 Olympic épée fencer, Sello Maduma, the event was a great success and saw East Londoners, young and old, give in to their curiosity to try their hand at fencing.
The épée is a blunted duelling sword used in one of the three different disciplines of fencing.
Over 25 juniors and 20 seniors took part in the East London event learning the strategic footwork and swift épée movements required to master the sport.
Maduma, who has been coaching Bangladesh’s national fencing team since March, holds fencing clinics and coaching sessions around the country whenever he visits South Africa. This was his second clinic in East London.
“This was a very rewarding event and it really highlighted how fencing is for everyone.
We found that many parents came to drop off their kids and ended up staying and joining in,” said Maduma.“Fencing can really be promoted as a family sport, because it’s open to all ages.”
While the focus was to demonstrate basic fencing drills and expose attendees to the different equipment used in bouts, Maduma also gave one-on-one lessons, allowing those who were interested an opportunity to play around with the épée and test their footwork.
Mercelene Calitz, 43, said the clinic was an amazing experience and gave her an opportunity to have fun with her children.
“It’s a brilliant sport and it’s a great way to exercise, but it also gave us valuable bonding time,” said Calitz, who has decided to join the Buffalo Fencing Club with her two children.
“It was so wonderful to see how many people were interested in learning more about the sport. So many people didn’t even know what fencing was before the clinic,” said Buffalo Fencing Club coach, Pearl Signorile.
Since February 2017, Signorile has made it her mission to promote fencing in the East London community, starting her club with just five members. Membership is now up to 13, with many interested newbie’s, such as Calitz, wanting to join the fencing frenzy.
“Our hope with this clinic was to create awareness about the sport, and it’s proved to be a success. Many were hesitant at first, but about seven new juniors signed up after taking part in the clinic, and many parents have also shown an interest,” said Signorile.
Maduma also gave a week-long intense training camp to the Buffalo Fencing Club fencers during his visit.
“He’s given us some very useful tips,” said Signorile, who hopes the club will keep growing and making an impact in the fencing scene in South Africa...