Grandson: A book?
Grandpa: That's right. When I was your age, television was called books. And this is a special book. It was the book my father used to read to me when I was sick, and I used to read it to your father. And today I'm gonna read it to you.
Grandson: Has it got any sports in it?
Grandpa: Are you kidding? Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles…
Grandson: Doesn't sound too bad. I'll try to stay awake.

If you are starting to grin and flashback to the dual atop the Cliffs of Insanity, you probably saw the 1987 fantasy tale Princess Bride with its entertaining banter, quotable lines and fancy swordplay.
"While swashbuckling movies are exciting," says Toby Tolley, owner and head coach at Duke City Fencing in Albuquerque, "they are meant to be dramatic and daring and don't accurately represent the sport." We are talking about introducing your kids to Olympic-style fencing.
First, the swords aren't sharp. "That's the main misconception parents have," say Tolley, who has been involved with fencing for about 20 years. "Parental fears usually center on safety, as they do with any sport." She explains that fencing is generally much safer than soccer, basketball or football. "Our worst injury is generally a bruise."
Fencing is an original modern Olympic sport, which Tolley says is often described as physical chess. "It's based on swordsmanship and involves technical prowess and the tactical ability to outsmart your opponent."
But ask kids why they fence and it's all about the swords. "Playing with swords," that's what 13-year-old Karl and other kids at Duke City had to say.
There are three main clubs in New Mexico-in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Los Alamos-and all are registered with the U.S. Fencing Association (USFA), the national governing body for the sport. Fencing is also offered at Santa Fe Prep and the Public Academy for the Performing Arts (PAPA) in Albuquerque.
Masked and in padded clothes, kids perform graceful yet athletic dances with a flexible metal rod. They usually work with and become proficient with one of three swords-foil, epee or saber, dueling for points by touching within a target area on the opponent's body.
Because fencing is not a team sport, it is unlike most activities that children grow up playing or participate in at school. "Fencing often appeals to kids who are not drawn to any other sport," says Tolley.
One of her students, 16-year-old Austin, found this to be true. "I tried all the traditional sports and didn't like them. I tried fencing, assuming it would be another bust, but fell in love with the sport." Austin has been working with an epee for a little over two years and practices as much as he can, which on a good week is three sessions.
His favorite thing about the sport is the sense of accomplishment when scoring higher and higher in a tournament. When asked about the hardest thing, he says, "Learning to master your emotions at tournaments."
Tolley believes the benefits for kids that fence are twofold: the body and the mind. "It has a very intellectual appeal in addition to being a physical workout. While it's anaerobic (like football), you need stamina, aerobic fitness and quick reflexes, and mentally, you have to be able to think on your feet-literally."
At clubs around the state, it's not uncommon to have families where both the parents and the children fence. Kids often start before age 10 and sometimes as early as 6. And much like tennis and golf, fencing can be done for a lifetime, which is a good thing because it can take many years to develop expert skills.
Parents generally want to know the costs. For your average afterschool fencer, Tolley says it's not very expensive. The price goes up if the student becomes competitive. "As an Olympic sport, it involves international travel to attend World Cups, and on a national level, if a student is competing, they may travel 4 to 6 times per year."
But don't put any money into gear just yet. Most beginner instruction includes all the necessary equipment. And while each facility is a little different, the average cost for classes is about $50-$100 per month. The New Mexico clubs offer a range of instruction for children from beginner to competitive.
In Albuquerque, your child takes two private sessions before joining a class for his or her age group. In Santa Fe, you get a package with one private and four weeks of classes. In Los Alamos, be sure to mark your calendar for Sept. or Feb. 1 because that's when beginners need to start to be included in a series of progressive instruction.
Sisters Micah, 12, and Gabriella, 10 - both Duke City saber fencers for two years - love everything about the sport - playing with swords, scoring touches, going to tournaments, their classmates, open bouting (a match between two fencers). They love everything, except one thing: "Waiting for our fencing days."

Additional Tips and Advice for Parents
–Attend the Santa Fe Challenge on May 17 at Santa Fe Prep starting at 9 a.m. This regional event includes fencers from Colorado, Texas and New Mexico, and is open to the pubic and free to spectators. Contact one of the state's fencing clubs for more information. It's a great way for the family to get a feel for the sport.
-Have your child's next birthday party at Duke City Fencing in Albuquerque. "We offer an hour and a half of fencing fun and games, plus another hour and a half for snacks and opening presents," says Tolley. The cost is $125 for up to 10 children and parents fence for free. Equipment is provided, along with paper goods and seating for the party.
–Sign up kids for summer camp even if they've never fenced before. Duke City generally holds camps in June with sessions for ages 8-12 and 12-16. Your child attends fours hours per day from Tuesday through Saturday, which culminates in a tournament that parents and friends are encouraged to attend. In Santa Fe, 5-day camps (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon) run all summer for ages 7-14.
–Go online and browse the New to Fencing section at www.usfencing.org. Click on Fencing for Parents for information on your role as well as an explanation of the game, gear, weapons and competitions. You'll also find tips for watching, which the author admits is difficult at first, and a note on how to wash the equipment.
-While Tolley admits that The Princess Bride is generally everyone's favorite fencing movie, she suggests that the best way to become familiar with the sport is to visit a class and watch.

New Mexico Fencing Facilities
Duke City Fencing
2840 Girard Blvd NE
505-872-0048
www.dukecityfencing.net
info@dukecityfencing.net

Santa Fe Fencing Foundation
1306 Clark Road, Suite C
505-699-2034
www.nmfencing.org
santafefencing@mac.com

Los Alamos Fencing Club (sponsored by the YMCA)
1450 Iris Street
505-662-3100
www.geocities.com/lafencingclub
trh@lanl.gov