Author Archives: Mike

About Mike

Prévôt d'escrime and head instructor (pronounced "Hehg'-enn") Mr. Heggen began fencing in 1987 as a college freshman. He studied fencing under Maestro James Ciaramitaro, learning both how to fence and how to teach fencing. Mr. Heggen receives additional teaching instruction from Maestri Charles Selberg and John McDougall. In 1999, Mr. Heggen began teaching on his own at the Salem Family YMCA, where he remained until May 2004, when he founded Salem Classical Fencing. See also Mr. Heggen's bio on the SCF wiki

Female chest protection

Historically, women fencers have chosen whether or not to wear breast protection based on personal comfort. However, research has changed the way we think about breast protection. Trauma to breast tissue during fencing can sometimes cause something called fatty tissue … Continue reading

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Junior Olympics 2011

Salem Fencers Compete in Junior National Championships Over Presidents Day weekend, while most teenagers were enjoying an extra day off from school, 16-year-old Isabel Ford and 15-year-old Emma Brewer-Wallin of Salem were in Dallas, Texas for the 40th annual Junior … Continue reading

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Vigor Challenge

On Saturday, February 5, 2011, 16-year-old Isabel Ford of Salem added another fencing medal to her collection. But this medal is special, as she earned it for placing 6th (of 148) in Cadet (U16) women’s epee at the Vigor Challenge … Continue reading

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Passing it on

It’s been fun to sit here in cold, rainy Salem on this February day getting text updates on the progress of Cole Mallette, one of our fencers at a USA Fencing Regional Youth Circuit tournament in Bellevue, Washington. Cole is … Continue reading

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On the ground in Milwaukee

We are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the next few days for the North American Cup event here. I am coaching, with chaperonage and assistance from Cristina Ford. Competing are: Emma Brewer-Wallin, Y14 women’s foil and Y14 women’s epee Isabel Ford: … Continue reading

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The Joy of Discovery

It was really gratifying last month to see a new class of beginners getting to spar for the first time. Even though I wasn’t the one teaching the class, I never get tired of seeing the smiles when people takes … Continue reading

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Fencing: Creative Play For All Ages

When did you last have some playtime?  Studies have shown that Americans of all ages are suffering from a lack of creative playtime. This is most troubling for children, as it has significant impacts on their development into healthy adults. … Continue reading

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Failing Gracefully

by Michael Heggen, prévôt d’escrime We’ve heard from a couple of parents recently about the effect fencing has had on their kids. This subject is always of interest to us, as we firmly believe that fencing can change lives. These … Continue reading

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How do fencing competitions work?

Article by Michael Heggen, prévôt d’escrime A consistent source of bewilderment to new fencers and their families is how competitions are conducted in fencing. So, here’s a primer for you!

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All we do here is fence

Some thoughts on what we do here at SCF: Many of you have heard me give a spiel similar to this in your first fencing class. It is not original to me, as I was introduced to the concept by … Continue reading

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