Click here to see a slide show presentation with audio & additional photos.

Some of the more experienced fencers like Jeff Cicotte (left) of Allen Park and Dan Russell of Lincoln Park are interested in starting a club. Mr. Cicotte and Mr. Russell don't attend the class, but pay for the time after to practice.

Instructor Kevin Bloom shows a student the proper blade technique during a drill. Mr. Bloom also teaches classes in Ann Arbor and Southgate.

Zach Reifsnider, 12, salutes his opponent after a bout. Fencing has carried on such traditions from the days when the sport was used to teach nobles and gentlemen how to duel. "A lot of the ritual that's associated with it came from the idea that when you were fighting another person to the death, there should be some dignity involved in it." Mr. Bloom said.

Students in Kevin Bloom’s fencing class face each other for a bout in the gymnasium of Monroe Middle School. The community education class meets once a week to practice what is referred to as the art of defense.

En garde!

Fencing finds fans in Monroe

BY BRYAN BOSCH
Evening News chief photographer

Every Tuesday night, fights break out at Monroe Middle School. But those doing the sparring aren’t donning boxing gloves or fists; they’re wielding swords.

“I’m really amazed at the workout you get, man I tell ya,” said Rusty Shorter, the evidence of his exertion beading his forehead. “I never expected to be working up that much of a sweat.”

When Kevin Bloom of Ann Arbor first started his weekly fencing class last fall, it took a while for it to grow in popularity. But today, with 20 members, there is now talk of starting a Monroe fencing club.

The first fencing class began last fall in the school cafeteria. After several classes, students realized they preferred the gymnasium’s wooden floor. Mr. Bloom yielded to the will of his class, and they can be found there each Tuesday night.

Mr. Shorter, 56, of Monroe joined the class with his grandson Zach Reifsnider, 12, to try something “unusual and different.”

When Mr. Shorter mentioned the class to Zach, he was enthusiastic.

“He goes ‘is that with swords…cool,’ ” Mr. Shorter said. They both recently finished their first session and are enrolled in the next one, which starts May 4.

Classes begin like those of any other workout or sport: with stretches and warm up drills. Drills allow for slow and isolated practice of particular movements like feet work, blade work and overall execution.

During a bout, a sports term referring to a duel, all the movements come together. Two opponents square off about 4 feet apart, salute and address each other with “en garde.” Foils clang, grind and ring as each opponent lunges and parries. According to U. S. Fencing Association (USFA) rules, fencers score points by hitting an opponent from collarbone to hipbone. Arms, legs, head and back are considered “off target.” A person wins after he or she scores five points or has the highest score after three minutes.

“Fencing is a game, not a duel,” Mr. Bloom said.

The fencing class is offered through Monroe Public Schools Comm- unity Education Pro- gram. Call 265-3120 for more information.

The language of fencing

Foil – A fencing sword with a flat guard for the hand and a thin four-sided blade tipped with a blunt point to prevent injury.

Epee – A fencing sword with a bowl-shaped guard and a long, narrow, fluted blade that has no cutting edge and tapers to a blunted point.

Parry – To deflect or ward off a fencing thrust.

En garde – French term used to warn a fencer to assume the first position in preparation for a match.

Keyword: PhotoS