Fencing for the old folks

[claidheamhmor]

This was amusing...I imagine fsnut and ereneth will like it.

Talk about getting to the point...
May 14 2008 at 06:58PM

Melbourne - It's bye-bye bingo, and so long sewing. The folks at an Australian old-age home have found a new activity to sharpen their wits and steel their bodies: fencing.

The group at Melbourne's Catholic Homes Corpus Christi, most of whom are retired priests and nuns, have spent the past nine months studying swordplay and are learning to leave their walking sticks behind and lunge like Zorro.

The home's lifestyle co-ordinator, Patricia Boyd, said she never intended to offer fencing as one of the home's activities but was convinced by instructor Joseph D'Onofrio.

The residents were also hesitant, until he spoke to them about the sport and how it would be almost impossible for them to get hurt. - Sapa-AFP

Source: IOL

Of course, it makes the DM in me say: Retired priests and nuns? They should only be able to use blunt weapons, so they must be multiclassing.

Comments

[lyonza.livejournal.com]

I wanna end up in that old age home *snicker*

[maymorning.livejournal.com]

Awww, that's wonderful! I love hearing about how older folks are getting on with things and having fun. Life doesn't have to end when the wrinkles start!

[gsl.livejournal.com]

I think the blunt weapon rule was phased out after the second edition rules though?
Deities allow the clerics to use their favored weapons, clerics that follow Helm for example can wield bastard swords. :)

[argonel.livejournal.com]

That is a true point. Also we should point out that these are retired priest and nun and that they are currently non-profecient with the weapons. They are clearly in the beginning stages of multi-classing or in the beginning stages of changing their class.

[capnoblivious.livejournal.com]

Or just acquiring Martial Weapon Proficiency: Rapier.

[openmindedmale.livejournal.com]

Yes, that restriction no longer exists from 3rd edition and later. :)

Clerics get simple weapon proficiency (which, besides blunt weapons like maces and clubs, also covers pointy stuff like daggers, short swords, spears, and crossbows). Clerics don't get proficiency in bastard swords unless they take the War domain, and their deity has that as a favored weapon (in which case they also get the weapon focus feat)... or, unless they take the proficiency as a feat.

4th edition.. well, ask me this time next month :)

[ereneth.livejournal.com]

En Garde!!!

Actually, as everyone (you know who you are...) keeps reminding me with tasteless age jokes, I'll soon be there. (In about two months...)

Seriously, I can't think of a better exercise for older people.

[openmindedmale.livejournal.com]

There's Tai Chi...

Still, fencing is good.

[chameleon7.livejournal.com]

That's so cool!

[openmindedmale.livejournal.com]

*laughs*.. that IS neat.

Well, they could get hurt easily enough if the points aren't capped.. which they wouldn't be if used as an actual weapon and not sport.

[fsnut.livejournal.com]

Fencers do it with rubber tips. Fencers lunge when they do it. Fencers do it on copper mats. I'm sure there are many others. The only thing you can really do to yourself is pull something (muscles etc) so it should be pretty safe. There are some fencers who go to Veterens World Champs who are heading for their 80's and still going strong.