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Smoky Mountain Fencing Academy has classes on Wednesday nights from 5-7:30 p.m. at Pirouettes studio. Pictured are the instructors Jim Paintiff (far left) and Joe Holt (far right) with students.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
Smoky Mountain Fencing Academy classes began in September 2022 at Pirouettes studio, at 1093 Main Street, Bryson City. About 20 students have come through the program so far with a handful who have stuck with it.
This is the only such program west of Asheville.
Fencing Master Jim Paintiff, from Fletcher, N.C., is the lead instructor. He’s been teaching for 25+ years and is a Master of Defense through the Society for Creative Anachorism (SCA) who also has four former students who have gone on to earn the same accolade of Master of Defense.
“The style we teach at the school is his,” explains Joe Holt, fencing instructor who helped found the academy. “It’s a system he has developed. It’s a mixture of old and modern. He’s looked through the centuries and figured something that has lasted is worth keeping and things that have not are not incorporated.”
“It’s a concise style that focuses on footwork and eight basic guards,” he added.
Like for all martial arts, footwork is a key element of fencing.
“With your footwork, you control so many aspects of the bout; your opponent can’t hit you if you’re not here, and you can’t hit your opponent if they are not there, and you control that with footwork—everything is based off your footwork,” Holt explained.
Footwork is where it all starts in the class, it’s a fundamental like dribbling in basketball, according to Holt.
That’s one reason Holt has a first-class is always free policy.
“I want the student to see what fencing really is. It’s not Princess Bride swashbuckling like you see in the movies,” he said, adding “It’s just as fun,” but not necessarily what people are expecting.
It takes time before students ever have a blade in the hand, students build up the fundamentals and safety is a priority.
“They are not fencing for a good while, getting out on the floor facing an opponent,” Holt said.
In addition to fencing, Holt said there are two other key elements knowing your guards and how to use them and the mental aspect.
“It’s a chess game; the really good fencers are moving multiple moves ahead and thinking about contingencies,” Holt said.
He started fencing at 47— and has since gone on to be a top contender at SCA events, defeating others who are younger.
Although Smoky Mountain Fencing Academy currently has primarily teenagers who are in the program, it’s open to all ages.
“Fencing is a finesse sport, unlike say, boxing or playing football… it rewards someone with good technique,” Holt said.
Students who have been learning at the academy are now competing with practice foils, which are steel blades. They wear protective masks and fencing jackets that are puncture-resistant as well gloves. The gear is available on loan in the beginning and the kids can also rent gear.
“We’re trying to make it accessible to everybody,” Holt said.
Classes are held on Wednesday evenings, with a monthly fee of just $75.
If students continue to excel, there are opportunities to compete on a bigger arena, such as through SCA, which is available beginning at age 16. Also, the students are learning the fundamentals and will have a great foundation if they want go to university and join a fencing team.
“We’re just staring this journey,” Holt said of the academy. “But, I ultimately see us going into the sport fencing arena and competing in epee.”
Classes started back up again for the fall on Sept. 6, and will continue on Wednesday nights from 5-7:30 p.m.
For more details, visit https://sites.google.com/view/smoky-mountain-fencing-academy/home.