En garde! Fencing Center ready to open in Iowa City

At the new Iowa City Fencing Center, the question is not “picket or chain-link,” it's “foil or saber?”

Founder and head instructor Judy O'Donnell understands the confusion that has already resulted in a few phone calls from people interested in fences. The new facility that opens next week at 415 Highland Ave. is Iowa's only private center for the growing sport of fencing.

“It's good exercise,” said the 25-year fencing coach and former member of the U.S. National Fencing Team. “You burn a lot of calories, and you learn to focus better. I've had parents tell me their kids are doing better in school because they started fencing.”

The seeds of O'Donnell's Iowa City Fencing Center were sown when the University of Iowa Fencing Club announced a policy change coming this fall. UI will no longer allow people who are not affiliated with the university to fence with the club. The change was made because of new UI rules to enforce fee payments for use of the university's recreation center.

Non-students had been a large part of the club, said O'Donnell, a longtime member. They wanted a place to hone their skills.

The new center with its two fencing rooms, armory and dressing rooms will provide more time and space than the recreation center, which sometimes had to kick out club members at 11:30 p.m.

O'Donnell is head coach. Nick Beatty, a former president and head coach of the UI fencing club, is assistant coach. They will offer private lessons and group instruction for children as young as 5, in addition to teens, adults and seniors citizens. Students will receive instruction in all three fencing weapons: foil, saber and epee.

Cost of instruction begins at $95 for a six-week class, which includes equipment use.

O'Donnell began her fencing career as a student at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., and taught for a decade at the Boston Fencing Club while competing internationally.

One of the most common misconceptions about fencing is that it is dangerous, or even deadly, O'Donnell said. Tips are used on weapons to avoid stabbing injuries and masks are worn to protect the face. Chest protection, glove and other protective gear ensure nobody gets hurt if a weapon breaks.

Two fencing rooms at the center will both have rubber fencing mats and electronic scoreboards. Electronic scoring is used in matches and with advanced instruction because the time separation between two opponents landing a “touch” are often to small for a judge to decide who gets the point.

The sheer fun of fencing is the main attraction for many participants, O'Donnell said. The most competitive fencers size up their opponents' weaknesses and strengths before calculating the best series of maneuvers to expose their vulnerability. “It's been described as a lightning-fast game of physical chess,” O'Donnell said.

The sport hones reflexes, concentration and balance, O'Donnell said.

“Participation in the sport has probably tripled in the past decade,” she said. “It didn't hurt that we (the United States) got so many medals in the last Olympic Games.” She said a big plus for many newcomers in the sport is that finesse usually trumps strength when it comes to winning matches.

One of O'Donnell's longer-term goals for the center is to offer fencing for the blind and wheelchair users. She said the cost of specialized wheelchair equipment is the biggest obstacle to overcome.

View Larger Map

CHECK IT OUT

• Iowa City Fencing Center
• 415 Highland Ave., Suite 200, Iowa City
• (319) 338-7171

CHECK IT OUT

• Iowa City Fencing Center
• 415 Highland Ave., Suite 200, Iowa City
• (319) 338-7171
• www.icfencingcenter.com