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En Garde!
Katyites Fence for Fun, Exercise, or Scholarships © Katy Magazine - Katy, Texas 2005
December 01, 2005
By Jamie S. Garfield
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Long ago and far away, sword fights took place to save a kingdom or defend a damsel in distress. Today, fencing can be a practical and unique cardio workout and much more. Katy Blades Fencing Academy trains students of all ages
using three types of weapons – epee, foil, or sword. Students get a first hand lesson in fencing history as they joust in a safe, comfortable classroom environment. Classes are grouped by age and or ability. In some cases parents
participate with their kids and husbands with wives.
Other students at Katy Blades take a more serious approach, training for the Junior Olympics, the Houston Olympic trials, and National Championships. Others train for college scholarships. “Some of the best fencing in the country
is in Texas. Many Ivy league schools and prestigious colleges are searching for fencers for their varsity programs,” says August Skopik, owner of Katy Blades Fencing. Recently many of his students received letters from NYU. Each
year, university scholarships go unfilled because there are not enough fencers. U of H, University of St. Thomas, Rice, UT, and Texas A & M all offer club fencing.
For the Skopik family, owners of Katy Blades, it’s more than a business -- its a passion. Dad, August, began fencing at age 18 in college. Mom, Sandy, participates in the newly created ladies group that fences on Thursday
mornings. Sons Lance (15), Chase (13), and Bryce (10) compete at the national level. Chase is currently the youngest nationally ranked director in the country and has been asked to officiate at several recent competitions. Katy
Blades will be hosting several events with national and international competitors this year. August Skopik says the public is welcome to come by and watch this high level fencing.
FENCING RESOURCES
Katy Blades Academy
1315 W. Grand Parkway
281-703-5064
www.katyblades.com
The Houston Cup
www.houstonfencing.com
U.S. Fencing Assoc.
www.usfencing.org
Jamie S. Garfield is a Katy-based freelance writer and mother of two children.
Submit your Katy news to editor@katymagazine.com.
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