|
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM:
The
SOUTHERN OREGON FENCING CENTER is closing the Benson Way location. The salle will close 19 Jun. A new, permanent location has to be established, but fencing will continue through the summer at Rogue Community College, Medford campus, for which registration is available online at www.roguecc.edu under their continuing education program. We plan to continue in the fall with RCC while we develop a new, permanent home. We will keep members apprised of developments and update site information as it becomes available.
The Southern Oregon Fencing Center
is open to all men, women, girls and boys who are interested in
learning the sport of fencing and improving their skill levels.
We are a community of fencers dedicated to working together to learn and
play this fascinating martial art. New members of all ages, including absolute
beginners, are welcomed
and will receive classical training and assistance from our
internationally certified instructors and our more experienced fencers.
Our
traditional salle d'armes, features a
1700 square-foot spring-mounted maple floor. We
offer foil, epee and saber
classes Monday through Thursday, afternoons and evenings and Saturday
mornings (Monday,
Wednesday, Thursday: 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.: Tuesday 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) Classes in electric saber and
epee are held Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 7-8:00 p.m., respectively. Guest fencers are
always welcome Monday through Thursday from 7:00 p.m..

RECREATION AND
COMPETITION
Competition in our
salle carries the original meaning from ancient Greece, when the word
meant “striving together.” We strive together collaboratively to raise
one another’s level of excellence and, in doing so, to improve our own.
Our main emphasis is
on fencing for recreation, for fitness, and for the joy of playing the
game. We also train those who are interested in tournament fencing or
becoming qualified teachers of the sport, and receiving certification
appropriate to their abilities. We host intramural and
regional tournaments for different age and skill groups, and several of
our fencers compete in league tournaments. We are affiliated with both the
American Fencing League (AFL), which sponsors classical
non-electric tournaments, and the
United States Fencing Association (USFA),
which specializes in electric competitions.
FENCING AS A WAY
OF LIFE
Fencing is an
ancient art and modern sport; its traditions reflect important lessons
of life. To participate in modern fencing is to take part in history.
The late Italian
Champion Aldo Nadi was referred to as “the living sword” after he won
several World and Olympic gold medals, followed by a professional
career in which he fought and won 56 consecutive matches against the world’s
greatest fencers. His teaching is part of our
shared history.
Program Director Maestro John McDougall studied with Aldo Nadi and is
our direct link with the unique fencing system taught by Maestro Nadi.
The Salle d’Armes,
or fencing studio, is usually referred to as “the salle” by fencers
(pronounced "sal" as in "Sally"). The salle is more than a physical
space in which to play our exciting sport. It is a space for mutual
respect and personal growth and a safe place for learning.

FUN AND FITNESS
FOR MIND AND BODY
The sport of fencing
has been aptly described as “chess at 1,000 miles per hour.” The goal
in fencing is to touch one’s partner while avoiding being touched.
Notice the word “touch”: we are not out to whack, smack, stab or hew our
opponent down, but rather to integrate deft physical movement with
mental discipline and strategic thinking.
Fencing provides
quality aerobic exercise in a mentally stimulating environment. Our
spring-mounted hardwood floor facilitates low-impact physical conditioning for
both large and fine muscle groups.
The foil, the predominant sword used at Southern
Oregon Fencing Center
LLC, is the perfect equalizer. There is no need for
size or weight classifications in fencing.
Our active fencers range from age eight to
over seventy. Until recently, the flag of each country was carried in
the Olympic Games opening ceremony by each team’s oldest athlete. This
practice was ended after athletes in other sports complained that
fencers invariably carried the flag. Nevertheless, 2004 Olympic women’s
saber gold medalist Mariel Zagunis, from Tigard, Oregon, was just 19
years old.
Children and adults
who tell us "I've been thinking about learning fencing" or "I've always
wanted to fence" or "I've always been interested in swordplay" (or
variations on these themes) make wonderful fencers. If you've been
thinking about fencing, come check it out. It is more fascinating than
you can imagine!

FENCING SESSIONS
Fencing classes and
sessions are held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and
evenings and Saturday afternoons. (Salle membership includes participation in two 45-minute
group classes each week, as well as open access to sparring and bouting
sessions available to all members who have completed introductory
classes. Sparring and bouting sessions are also open to guest
fencers. Please call us if you would like to attend.
We recommend that
fencers attend two classes each week, as progress will be at least three
times faster than with once per week attendance. Enthusiasm and progress
are directly connected and reciprocal!
Individual
lessons are the classical way to teach and to learn sword play and are
available by arrangement with the instructors.
GETTING STARTED
To start fencing,
call the Southern Oregon Fencing Center at (541) 488-7648, Steve Wesche at (541) 292-0890,
or John McDougall at (541) 535-3969. Children in the 8 to 9-year range are usually ready
for fencing. Our oldest member is 73, but that is not a limit!
Parent/child participation works well in our group and we currently have
about a dozen parents attending with one or more children.
We enjoy
describing and answering questions about our favorite sport for
prospective new fencers and parents. We suggest that you call us at
one of the above listed numbers for information, or e-mail us at
mcdoog@ccountry.net for a
brochure and current schedule.
ART COLLECTION:
Our unique
collection of fencing visual art (over 200 pieces on display) depicts many
of the greatest fencers and Masters of the 19th and 20th centuries, as
well as outstanding antique and modern posters and photographs. The art
collection alone is worth a visit!
LET'S FENCE!
|