Fencing for the first time (and why I love/hate Groupon)

It all began with a Facebook message. My friend Sophie got an email from Groupon for a beginner 6 week course in fencing. Who wants to join her? I do, I do! I've never done fencing before, but I do love the Princess Bride and Highlander and was in Pirates of Penance three times.

First day arrives and I head to my first class with Fighting Fit Fencing. The studio is a basic concrete shell beside Caledonian Road - it's not glamorous and it's unfinished but full of heart.

The club is family run - started by a father who had a son who wanted to fence (what little boy wouldn't want to play with a sword). When the club they went to shut down and most other clubs favoured those with an Eton education, they started their own place at the back of a pub. They are now one of the only public fencing clubs with their own full time fencing centre.

The class is completely full and we stand and listen to a truncated history of fencing and how to stay safe. I glad about the safety part. We are playing with swords after all.

After practising being "en guard" and moving back and forth like a speedy crab, we get into our gear. First is the plastron, an underjacket that covers your sword arm, and over that is a padded long sleeve jacket. It's nice and thick and heavy. Perfect for summer...

As a lady, I have the honour of wearing breast cups that tuck into my padded jacket. After getting a sword in the breast a number of times, I'm glad for it. Next is a glove on my sword hand and then a mask. Masks are great from stopping swords from poking you in the eye. I like that. I don't want swords in my eyes. Fact.

I try my hand at going through the fencing motions. Not bad. And it's fun. I LOVE stabbing people with skinny swords. My knees hurt for a week afterwards but it was a (not so small) price to pay for pretending I was a pirate or something equally glamorous that week.

Today is the third class and we try electric fencing. Lots of buzzing and I'm not that great at the parry but I got one hit in. After I sigh  and say that I'm not very good, my instructor says I'm trying to be too perfect and shakes his head at me. I can't help it, I like to win.

So back to Groupon. I love them as I never would have tried fencing if it weren't for that one window of 24 hours where I could get a 6 week course of training for £29. I hate them because of what they do to small businesses. I'm sure you read the stories of what happened to Posies Café and Chicago Bagel Authority amongst others. Fighting Fit Fencing didn't expect too many people to take fencing up with them. Their estimation of "maybe a hundred if that" became 340 people signed up. And out of that £29, guess how much they get? £20 you say? £15 you mutter with raised eyebrows? Nope. £11.

That's it. £11. Hardly worth it I say. But our instructor remarks with honour that the little bit of money we pay will help the kids in the area get the equipment they need to fence. That money will go back into the club and back to them.

Amazing. Seeing the bright side even as Groupon rips them off. Good on them.

Want to try 'chess with a sword' yourself? Go to Fighting Fit Fencing and book a session to try your hand at fencing. All equipment provided. All you need is your wits, some good trainers and your heart.