Lessons in agility: a teachers’ duel
Fencing: a great hobby for all ages. Kirikirora fencer, Kieran, shares his experience being involved in the Waikato Swords Club.
Kieran McBride, 34, is a seasoned fencer with 14 years of experience with the sword. He’s a member of the Waikato Swords Club, a social club where the focus is on fencing and having fun with the sport.
Kieran heads along to the club twice a week, Tuesday and Saturday evenings. One session is more for development and coaching, the other on fencing and duelling.
His interest in fencing was sparked by his father, Alistair McBride who is now the president of the Waikato Swords Club “I’d seen photos of him doing it so I wanted to try, and because of that, he then rejoined fencing himself… and we could then fence each other.” Sharing the sport with his father has always been a nice part of it for Kieran.
Kieran enjoys fencing because it is good exercise and is a sport that requires a sharp mind amongst swift footwork. As a father of two young children, finding time to exercise can be challenging, and fencing twice a week is a great and fun way to keep shape. “It keeps me fit, but it’s also quite forgiving if you’re not feeling super fit” Kieran explains
“As long as you can think and strategize you can find a way that works for you in fencing.”
Kieran McBride
A teacher by trade, Kieran also enjoys coaching newer fencers. “I started coaching about six years ago.” Kieran said, “I run the group sessions and individual sessions” He has helped people develop passion towards the sport, some of them going all the way to winning competitions, something he said is a “pretty proud moment for me.”
For anyone who is interested in fencing, Kieran encourages them to join in the weekly sessions at Hillcrest High School and give it a try. “Come along and have fun, it’s a forgiving sport.”
