SEATED FENCING
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GCSFF Athletes Riauna & Jacob
Photographer Jim Vigileos
What is Seated Fencing ?
In January 2009 The Grand Canyon State Fencing Foundation
has brought seated fencing to the Valley .
A unique sport for unique individual
This is an exciting opportunity for all wheelchair users regardless of their physical disability to take up a new sport which could lead to international sports success representing their country.
If you would like to play, compete or redefine yourself as an athlete
then fencing is an opportunity for you to be part of an exceptional community.
Men, women and children are eligible
If you are interested please join us !
Where can I experience seated fencing ?
Location
Webster Recreational Gym
202 North Sycamore, Mesa, 84201
Dates & Time
Every Tuesday 6 - 9PM
Equipment provided
Contact
Pia Douglas
480-227-6443 Cell
480-2887834 Home
The Seated Fencing Experience
Wheelchair fencing is an honorable and gallant sport for people with minor walking impediments as well as paraplegics and tetraplegics. Its broad appeal is due to a system based on three different classes of competition. Fencing is an integrative sport for the whole family - whether "walkers" or "wheelchair users", young or old, male or female. One for all and all for one!
Strength and concentration
Like the musketeers, even when playing alone against an opponent, you feel the kind of camaraderie usually reserved for team sports. While able-bodied fencers stand opposite each other on the planche, we sit opposite each other in our wheelchairs. The wheelchairs are held firmly, clamped into a frame on the ground, to ensure that no-one loses their balance and topples over in the heat of the moment. The distance between the opponents is set individually based on their height and weapons.
Further Information
International Wheelchair Fencing Committee
The first step is fencing lessons, in the same way as for able-bodied fencers. For wheelchair fencers, the footwork of able-bodied
players is replaced by specific upper body movements. The arm on the side not used for the weapon supports these upper body movements. In particular, this works the remaining functions of the torso musculature and improves concentration, reactions, precision and discipline. Training can takes place together with able-bodied player.we offer young people, and adults aged from 8 to 80, who are interested in wheelchair fencing an opportunity to get involved and try their first thrust.
The wheelchair fencing experience
" My name is Anna Kreissl, I am 15 years old and I have been fencing for a year and a half. You're no doubt wondering how I got into this sport. I had an opportunity to try out wheelchair fencing at a young people's leisure event. At first I thought it would be really boring, but once I had tried it, I liked it so much that I just couldn't stop! I now travel a lot and have even won medals in various competitions. During the summer holidays, I took part in the German-French youth fencing camp in Paris. "Thanks to my successes and the great support from my trainer Steffi, I will be going to the Athens Paralympics youth camp in September 2004. A fantastic experience!"
Source: Deutscher Rollstuhlsportverband
Athlete Eligibility and Classification
There are three classifications - A, B, and C.
Fencers of class A have full sitting balance, and many of them can still stand on their feet or walk.
Fencers of class B do not have full sitting balance, but do have full activity of their arms and hands.
Fencers of class C do not have full activity of their arms and hands.
There are as many exceptions to the rule and every candidate for wheelchair fencing will be assessed on an individual basis with an emphasis on their level of function and overall ability.
Amputees, Polio, Cerebral Palsy, Paraplegics, Hemiplegics, Quadriplegics, and TBI are good candidates for wheelchair fencing. Anyone with an injury or disability comparable to a below the knee amputation is eligible to participate in wheelchair fencing.
A Social Reinsertion
Fencing is also an appropriate sports choice for persons who have only recently become wheelchair users because wheelchair mobility skills are not required and the weapons are relatively lightweight.
Fencing is an official sport of the Paralympic Games. Events are contested only for wheelchair users. In the United States, wheelchair fencing events are organized by the U.S. Fencing Association.
Competition
In 2006 there were 24 countries practicing Wheelchair Fencing. From a spectator's point of view, the most striking feature of Wheelchair Fencing is the fact that athletes compete in wheelchairs that are fastened to the floor.
However, these chairs allow the fencers freedom of movement in the upper body and the activity is as fast-paced as in able-bodied Fencing.
Men and women with an amputation, spinal injury or cerebral palsy are eligible to compete in events including Foil, Epée (men and women) and Sabre (men).
The official governing body is the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS)
Kind words from our dedicated fencers
I wanted to follow up with my time in Arizona involved with GCSFF.
As you are well aware, when I first joined the club I was being challenged with complications stemming from a spinal cord injury I incurred three months prior. I joined in the anticipation of finding a way to improve my balance, coordination, and final motor skills while on my road to recovery. While my time spent in the gym undoubtedly accomplished that, I must say the memories I take from the GCSFF team are of the less tangible sort.
Learning a new sport and skill can often be frustrating for anyone and as a competitive person often times I find myself even more fixated on mastering any challenge. I must say that the most special memory was being exposed to the great people associated with the foundation that made fencing not only about rehabbing thru learning a new sport, but how to laugh and enjoy the process of doing it.
As you recall, the goal of strengthening and improving the coordination of my left arm and hand were my main focus. By the time I finished with fencing both improved dramatically thanks to the detail the sport requires and the intent support of the knowledgeable coaching.
Thank you so much for being part of an integral part of my recovery and creating a positive new memory. I look forward to continuing here in the Bay Area!
Thanks again to all!
Laura
