Our fencing master, Maître Bac, began his fencing career in 1965. He went on to earn the Diplôme de Moniteur d'Escrime from Ligne de l'Académie d'Armes de Paris; the Brevet d'Etat de Prévôt d'Escrime from Ecole Interarmée et des Sports in Fontainebleau; and the Brevet d'Etat de Maître d'Escrime & Education Physique et des Sports, the highest qualification awarded a fencing master, from Institut National du Sports et d'Education Physique in Paris in July, 1970.
Maître Bac has extensive and intensive experience as a competitive fencer in all three weapons and had taught in various renowned fencing clubs in Paris. He is currently on the Coaching Commission of the Academie d'Armes Internationale. Highlights of his coaching experience include being the National Coach of the Finnish Fencing Federation and the Modern Pentathlon Federation of Finland, and playing a significant role in Finland's achievements at the Scandinavian Fencing Championship and at the 1972 Munich Olympic Games; being the Provincial Coach of the British Columbia Fencing Association of Canada; and being the Head Coach of the Northern California Fencing Division of the United States Fencing Association. Maître Bac also has experience working with physically challenged fencers, having taught the wheelchair fencers of Association des Paralysées de France, délégation du Val-De-Marne at Créteil. During the past decade, Maître Bac has focused his attention and energy on spreading and perpetuating the spirit of the French school of fencing by initiating novice fencers, training competitive fencers of all levels and working on his books.
Fencing is hard to learn, but once mastered, it can provide enjoyment and benefit for longer than most other sports. The secret of fencing is the ability to think and act immediately. Spirit and physical conditioning account for more than size and strength. Gender and age make no difference. Women can fence men; Children can fence adults; and older fencers can out match a younger, faster opponent through greater experience, strategy, and tactics.
The practice of fencing has many physical benefits, not the least of which are improved strength & flexibility and improved physical condition. Practicers of the sport can also expect to increase their speed and accuracy throughout their career, and develop a strong sense of strategy. It is this sense of constant development which attracts most practitioners to the sport.
The VTMFC is a registered non-profit organization run by an executive board of club members. As such we can offer the lowest possible membership fees. Unlike most other fencing clubs, weekly Individual Lessons are included in the price of your membership ensuring every fencer in the club reaches their fullest potential.
