December 16, 1998
Fencing enjoys rebirth at The Pathfinder School
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Six, eight and six, eight and six, eight...
Sounds like counting gone crazy but it is really a fencing drill, one of many that students of the sport use to master the multitude of precise forms and positions.
Drilling and practice were the focus of Saturday's fencing clinic at the Pathfinder School, guiding the 15 attendees through the intricacies of moves that are centuries old.
"I think fencing is really fun and it's challenging," said Hannah Weber, 11, a sixth grader at the Pathfinder School. "I take dancing and it seems a lot like dancing. You have to watch where you're putting all your hands and feet."
Pathfinder students at the clinic practiced moves and worked on their concentration and mental flexibility before watching a video on fencing. They then donned protective gear and for the next hour they practiced basic fencing moves such as attack, parry, lunge and riposte with their swords. Veteran fencing teacher Kim Rahl of Eaton Rapids coached them on form, style and safety.
Before the clinic, Rahl gave a demonstration of the foil, saber and epee, assisted by her husband and two sons, who also fence. Rahl is the founder of the Great Lakes Sword Club and has taught fencing to more than 1,400 students in 19 years. She has fenced for 20 years, starting as a member of the Michigan State University Foil Team and retiring from competition in 1985 after being ranked 12th in the nation in women's epee.
"Fencing is like physical chess, you are always thinking two or three moves ahead," said Rahl. "Kids fencing has really grown and you can teach kids as young as six, if they can focus, listen and follow directions. It's like the martial arts, which are really catching on."
The Pathfinder School's fencing class sponsored the clinic. The class has 20 fourth through eighth grade students who meet weekly to study and practice the sport. Garfield Township resident Bill Koucky teaches the class. Koucky was a student of Rahl's when he lived in Lansing years ago and he is again studying with Rahl, traveling to Eaton Rapids weekly to brush up on his skills and learn teaching techniques.
"I hadn't fenced in four years so it was a great excuse to get back into the sport," said Koucky of Garfield Township, who is a violin maker. "Fencing is a real mental sport but also a great aerobic and physical workout."
Despite requiring extensive body padding, a mask, gloves and a sword, fencing is not an expensive sport. Students can get started with this equipment for less than $150 and basic electronic scoring equipment costs approximately $300.
"It's a pretty inexpensive sport, especially compared to golf," said Rahl. "And the equipment holds up for years."
Koucky is planning to start a fencing club in Traverse City, prompted by the interest he and Rahl hear from people around the region. Rahl receives many inquiries on her website requesting for information on fencing in northern Michigan, so both are hopeful a club will catch on.
"I'm doing it because I want someone to fence with," Koucky said. "When I lived in Charlevoix, I had a health club and Kim came up to give demos there. There are lot of people interested in the sport we just have to find them."