What Defines a Fencer?
Athletic ability? A certain build? One fencer's story — from Hillcrest to Cape Town, through setbacks and back again — shows that none of these define a fencer. A willingness to learn does.
What defines a fencer?
- Athletic ability?
- Competitiveness?
- Split-second decisions?
- Strategy?
- Perseverance?
- A certain build?
Yes, some of these. But are they really the building blocks of a fencer?
Like a fish to water
My son, Ruben, joined Hillcrest Fencing Club in 2022. He took to fencing like a fish to water and loved every moment of it, always thinking about his next strategy and how he could improve. The light in his eyes when he came home from fencing twice a week was impossible to miss.
Reuben du Plooy - left
Then I picked up a weapon too
I joined not long after him. Unlike Ruben, though, I needed a little more help understanding the sport. I can remember many times when Ruben gave me "extra" lessons at home, helping me fast-track my progress and teaching me things I hadn't quite grasped at training.
Nevertheless, I loved the workout and kept going, even though I was the only veteran — and the only adult — fencer at our club. My doctor was particularly happy with my decision to keep active, as being a type 1 diabetic has its own challenges.
The light in his eyes when he came home from fencing twice a week was impossible to miss.
A move to Cape Town
When we moved to Cape Town in 2024, the plan was to find Ruben a fencing club where he could develop his skills further. I thought I would probably hang up my weapon and retire from fencing.
Ruben joined Blues, where he was introduced to a much more competitive environment. Suddenly, we found ourselves surrounded by fencers who were all striving to reach the very best of their abilities. Instead of retiring my weapon, I joined Blues not long after Ruben.
When fencing has to wait
Unfortunately, Ruben was diagnosed with POTS and his health deteriorated. He had to stop fencing until he is well enough to return. For the second time, I considered hanging up my weapons. Fencing without Ruben simply wasn't as much fun.
But after much persuasion from my coach, I decided to stay. And Ruben, apart from my husband, became my biggest supporter.
Colours we never imagined
Today, we are incredibly proud to have KZN colours (Ruben) and WP colours (me) — something neither of us could have imagined when we first picked up our weapons.
Looking back at where we started, we can see just how much fencing has shaped us. It has pushed us to become more than we thought we could be. It has challenged us physically and mentally, taught us resilience, and shown us that progress doesn't always happen at the pace we expect.
You are always welcomed back
Sometimes circumstances force you to step away. But when you are ready to return, you simply pick up where you left off, as life tends to happen around fencing. Because one thing is certain: you are always welcomed back.
And if you've ever wondered whether there is a certain shape, size, age or personality that defines a fencer — there isn't.
At the heart of fencing is simply a willingness to learn, and to try and try again. From there, you decide how far you want to go.
That, for me, is the beauty of fencing. You never stop learning. There is always another technical skill to master, another strategy to understand, another mental challenge to overcome — especially when competing.
I still consider hanging up my weapon every now and again. But then I remember how far I have come, and all the encouragement, support and belief I have received from my family and coaches. And so, I pick up my weapon one more time — ready to learn one final lesson…
There is no one kind of fencer
Whether you're eight or eighty, a natural athlete or a complete beginner — if you're willing to learn, there is a place for you on the piste.
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