I was leafing through the local community college course catalog the other day and it had fencing listed as one of the classes. That sounded like the kind of off my arse cardiovascular activity that I could get into so I’ve been checking it out on line. Seems that fencing these days focuses less on fighting like a crazed pirate (good) and more on poking someone lightly with a car antenna (still kind of cool, but not really). So there must be others that want to learn how to get it on Princess Bride Inigo Vs. Roberts style aren’t there? Is there anywhere I can go to learn how to really get it on flashing blade and ringing steel style?
Higgins Armory in Worcester Massachusetts has classes in an incredibly broad array of sword- and knife-fighting styles. They give frequent demonstrations. Be warned, though, that all of these methods of fighting require a lot of practice, and few of them look like Mad Pirate Fighting.
If you can’t get there, or someplace like it, consider looking into Sabre, rather than Foil or Epee fencing. Traditional-looking swords with guards, and you get to slash a lot, rather than rarefied poking.
You may be surprised at how much of a work out simple poking is. Watch professional foil fencers and you will see that they don’t simply stand around stabbing at each other.
I enjoyed college fencing, and it left me winded more than once. (also I suck at it - can’t stop making lame Monty Python references the whole time)
Oh certainly, I’m sure it’s just an athletic endevor as anything. It just lacks a certain viceral appeal, wherein a more theatric display would have that, plus a bit more.
I work with a guy who does medeival broadsword and other heavy weapons recreation battles with an organization called the SCA. They’re a bunch of nutters in my opinion, but they’re really serious about fighting in a realistic style. They craft their own armor, trying to conform closely to the materials available at the time, and they craft their weapons out of a type of wood called rotan. It hurts like fuck to get hit, but you’re not likely to get any serious injury. I’m sure it’s more safe than other full-contact sports like football or Rugby.
Talk to the Drama Department. Theatrical Fencing is a whole different art than Fencing as offered by the PE Department. Either will give you a quite adequate work-out.
There are a growing number of practicioners of historical and classical fencing worldwide. This is neither theatrical nor sport fencing: it is fencing taught as a martial art when carrying a bladed sidearm was a viable form of defense. A great place to start would be the links page here. There is a fairly large organization in Chicago that might interest you.
Just to thow out an eastern option you could try looking into keno.
Your finger musta slipped.
Kendo – Japanese Swordplay
Keno – cheap gambling game. Little exercise, and no opportunity to slash at strangers.
You mean Kendo, right?
I did Kendo for about a year, a lot of fun. You get to hit people in the head with sticks!
You also may want to look into eskrima and related martial arts. It’s more about stickfighting, rather than swordfighting, but it kicks serious ass.
No wonder the casino wouldn’t let me bring in my rapier. I was set to throw down too.
Please provide me your complete address… ummmm… so I can… ummm… help you explore your newfound interest in swordfighting.
Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, should you get any unexpected headaches in the next couple of days, just pop a couple of Aleve. With a beer or three. Will clear that right up.
[sub]there can be only one[/sub]
And, of course, kendo and escrima - and I suspect SCA as well - use “rattan.”
Of course, if you are going the full contact escrima route, you need to choose between WEKAF (full armor) and the Dog Brothers (fencing mask and gloves). Them boys is CRAZY!
Damn it! I have only heard it spoken before (never saw it written), so that’s my excuse. 
So, should I have told you that it isn’t wood either? 
Speak for yourself. When my keno card is worthless, I give it a mean spin at anyone nearby.
I took two quarters of fencing in college, mostly epee, and enjoyed it. I wasn’t good at it, but it was fun. The little bit of saber we got to do was even more fun.
I’d assume that theatrical fencing concentrates on looking good on stage, not techniques that would actually win you a duel, right?
Do you have a local Renaissance Festival or something similar? A friend of mine is an actor at ours in Kansas City - including swordfighting (he usually plays the Sheriff of Nottingham in the Robin Hood show) - and said they have a pro who comes in and choreographs the various sword shows each year, and I’m pretty sure he gives lessions. A festival or group like that could probably point you to someone.