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FOUR locals will be representing South Africa in the World Junior Fencing Championships in South Korea in April. And for some of the local fencers, the international arena is nothing new.

Ashley Marais (19), a former Fish Hoek Senior High School pupil and Jarryd New, a Noordhoek resident who matriculated in 2005, have represented the Western Province and South Africa for the past five years. Matthew Snelling, a Fish Hoek Senior High School pupil from Clovelly, and Sky Pym-Siljeur from Kalk Bay will join Ashley and Jarryd in the South African squad for the first time this year. Ashley and Jarryd will compete in the u/20 category at the world champs, while Matthew and Sky will duel in the u/17 division.

Matthew and Ashley left for Austria on Sunday, 5 February to sharpen their skills at a training camp in preparation for the world championships.

Fencing may be a somewhat obscure sport, but it has a strong following in the southern suburbs, with about 80 fencers practising at local clubs. Much of the sport's popularity among local youngsters can be attributed to the passion of David Wagenfeld, who started coaching eight years ago after receiving training in Holland.

He approached schools with the offer of presenting fencing as an extramural activity and established a schools league. Fish Hoek Senior High School acts as the local base, offering fencing every Thursday afternoon.

Some of David?s former pupils are now taught by Misha Galoukin, an ex-Olympian fencer who lectured at the Russian Academy of Sport. He is one of three Russian coaches that the National Fencing Federation brought to South Africa to polish local fencers' skills.

Paul Marais, a Fish Hoek resident and chairperson of Fencing Western Cape, has been managing the South African junior side for five years.

He says that fencing may be a "Cinderella sport", but it holds a very strong attraction for the unique skills it hones. "You have to be incredibly fit to be a fencer, with cardiovascular fitness and leg and arm strength paramount," Paul says. "Also, fencing develops the mind in terms of speed, agility and alertness."

Fencers must be highly disciplined - Paul says it takes a year just to learn the basic techniques, while three years are needed before one is competitive in the true sense of the word.

Locals can get a taste of the action when the Cape Open Tournament is held at Fish Hoek Senior High School on Saturday, 25 and Sunday, 26 February. All are welcome to attend.

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