I have been associated with the United States Fencing Association ( also the
Federation International de'Escriem [the international fencing body]) for 35
years and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for 6 years - they
re-inact the Middle Ages and Renaissnce, which also does include swordplay as
well as all other activities of human endeavor. I've also taught fencing and
the martial arts (both Western and Eastern) for over thirty years and have
written and published a book on duelling.
The SCA could be described as a martial organization in that the tournaments
we hold are the most eye-catching of all we do. There are three basic
divisions of martial arts in the Society.
"Heavy Weapons" emulates Knight in Armor. They wear real armor (leather
and/or steel that is superior in many instances to that ever produced in the
past) and use "cudgels" in combat - rattan (a form of soft wood) poles that
emulate swords, not steel swords. Its a full contact sport (the reason for
the armor - an 18 guage helmet may weigh 10 to 20 pounds) and the blows,
except a face thrust, are not necessarily limited in force of application.
Indeed we choose a king (for each of fifteen kingdoms [my Lady wife is being
fought for in this coming Crown Lyst in Florida]) by combat. The winner (one
has been a Lady Knight) becomes King - or Queen, (for about 6 months and the
Lady he fights for becomes Queen. (I guess that would make me the Queen's
kept consort.....) It's a truly spectacular display.
The second is Combat Archery where we use padded arrows and a bow of maximum
draw of thirty pounds to shoot at combatants (in full heavy armor as descibed
above) in melee (more than two fighters at a time) or War. They do not
participate simultaneously with bows and cudgels; one or the other, while the
cudgling takes place around them.
The third is "Light Weapons". These weapons are modern fencing weapons; the
foil and epee' (not sabre'), and also the theatrical schlagger (a Three
Musketeer-type blade without edges or point and not in question here as it is
viewed as a safer weapons style). In this form of combat we are required to
wear "armor" that exceeds the requirements of the U.S.F.A. and the F.I.E. in
that we must wear an additional layer of garment equivalent to 1/3 that of a
modern fencing jacket, a modern fencing mask (or greater), a second glove and
have no area of our bodies exposed (skin) that is not covered by a 3" overlap
of "armor". All rules of combat are also in excess of "modern Fencing" for
safety purposes. And all this while we must call "blows" or "hits" on
ourselves (Honour) assuming that all we wear at most is a linen shirt with an
ideal maximum force of hit of 2# - much lighter than our USFA/FIE
counterparts in general.
Sorry for the tedious background here.
Some few "Knights" and Heavy Weapons fighters, only a few mind you but they
are Kings mostly, are saying that fencing with modern fencing weapons is very
dangerous. And that while they do what they do. They are, I'm certain,
sincere, but lack knowledge in fencing or the martial arts in this area.
They are merely overly concerned, I feel.
I've been in contact with the International body (FIE) and the U.S. Olympic
Committee (I've had contact with them for some years and have been an Armorer
at the National Championships). There have been only 10 deaths in well over
100 years of worldwide fencing and none in the United States ever. Indeed,
fencing is one of the safest sports that there is - USFA members who teach or
have a fencing club or "Salle" get a $1 million policy for well under $100
per year. I've taught for many years and never had a student hurt. I won't
say you can't be hurt, becasue this IS a Martial Art, but its certainly safer
than karate or judo. The FIE referred me to the USFA who put me in touch
with their Risk Management Department (they control the U.S, Olympic
Committee insurance) who put me in touch with the primary insurance carriers.
These carriers could not give me the information that I seek, citing
confidentialty. OK..........
What I seek are actuarial figures on mortality (which I've established) but
especially in liability for fencing and other sports; i.e. frequency of
incidence of injury. In this manner I hope to relate these figures in a
meaningful way to people that don't have a statistical nor actuarial
background. Other sports might include high school baseball, football,
swimming, lacrosse and the like. The very sports that I'm certain that those
who are objecting to fencing allow their own children to participate in and
that most people don't consider a true risk. But most important that the
actual "safeness" of fencing is related and established.
I thank any that may respond to this and help in this endeavor. Please feel
free to contact me anytime.
Sincerely,
Bob (Robert James) Rush, Ph.D.
240 Abbott Ave.
Lake Mary, Florida, 32746
407-323-1096 (H)
407-679-6393 (W)
407-679-0752 (Fax)
Visit the CAS Web Site at http://www.casact.org
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