| Although not mandatory, we urge members to eventually purchase their own equipment. Just like learning how to play an instrument, it is very difficult to progress and improve without the ability to practice at home and outside of the fencing salle with your own equipment. |
What to Wear for the First Lessons
Although we do welcome all interested parties, we recommend that you email or phone us prior to your first visit. This allows us to ensure enough equipment is available. To facilitate the instructor and class conduct, please note the guidelines below:
- Leg wear: Sweat pants, long running pants, baseball/softball knickers are fine. To be avoided, extremely baggy pants or shorts. The instructor must be able to see the students' legs. Being based in Florida, we understand that shorts may be preferred by the student but long pants provide better protection.
- Foot wear: Tennis shoes, indoor court shoes, or cross-trainers are recommended. Bulky "high-top" basketball shoes are not conducive to the precise foot work in fencing, nor do they help the instructors' observations. Most running shoes are OK but some of the higher-profiled shoes may expose fencers to ankle injury. Wear socks to prevent blistering.
- Shirts: A t-shirt is pretty much a standard. An extra t-shirt and towel might even be a good idea for heavy perspirers.
- Gloves: Although we typically have spares, TBF holds the student responsible to provide their own glove. If a fencing glove is not readily available, a common leather or chamois work glove can provide nominal protection. Fencing gloves are specially padded to provide adequate protection. The fencing glove cuff is to prevent fencing blades from sliding into a fencers' sleeve and injuring delicate arteries (i.e. the radial artery) found in the arm.
Other notes concerning your equipment:
- Masks: Common sense is the rule here. If there is at all a possibility of head, eye, or face injury, put a mask on. Those who willingly and repeatedly behave in a manner that is unsafe to themselves or others will be asked to leave without any negotiation for a return visit.
- Jackets: Some drills and lessons may not require jackets. Howevery, if any activity entails the receipt of touches, a jacket is required. Common sense prevails.
- Underarm plastron:This is an attire specific to fencing that provides extra protection to the underarm. We recommend that all students to purchase this is as soon as possible.
- Gender-specific gear: We recommend that all females wear breast protectors ("hub caps"). TBF has this in limited quantities. These can also be purchased for under $10 per pair from most fencing equipment vendors. Males may wear protective cups.
