Photos by Eric Turowski

A fencing family affair: foreground, Beth Fallon fences with son, August while daughter Olivia and husband Michael Fallon view the action.

At first glance, the rooms high above Park Street and Santa Clara Avenue might appear the lair of an avenging pulp-era hero, ever-vigilantly gazing down at evildoers from this aerie. Masks hang from the walls, a bookshelf holds dozens of manuals on self-defense and sword-play. Beyond this foyer lies a small gymnasium lined with weapons. Within, a soft-spoken, bespectacled man of good humor greets you. If you met him elsewhere, you might be led to believe that Harold Hayes is a college professor or perhaps a diplomat — not a man who makes his living by the sword. But that is only because you have not seen him hold a foil with casual deftness, face armed opponents less than half his age, or corral an enthusiastic group of swashbuckling kids. And if he politely invites you to handle a saber or epee, you might just get hooked.

The Pacific Fencing Club has been located in Alameda since 1995. Hayes provides fencing training from beginning foil classes to coaching competitors. His students frequently go on to compete in Division I, the highest level of competition in the United States.

"When my old students come in to spar with me, and I beat them, I win," Hayes said. "And if they beat me — because I trained them — I win."

Thus far, the club has not produced an Olympian. In the past, students who felt they were on track for the Olympics would gravitate toward older clubs. Hayes describes the Pacific Fencing Club, in existence since 1984, as "the new kid on the block." Olympic-track fencers tend to look for longer-established clubs. "But that's starting to change," Hayes said.

Sabers, foils and epees line the walls of the Pacific Fencing Club.

Another thing that's changing is the number of families who take up the sport together. Nine-year-old Olivia Fallon, for reasons inexplicable to her parents, became interested in fencing. With a little research, her mother, Beth, found the Alameda club. The whole family then signed up; father Michael and 12-year-old August now attend Foil I.

What is it that attracts young people to a sport with a 500-year tradition of training? Conner McNew, a student in the adult Foil I class, said, "Mostly I'm into Middle Ages-type stuff. I'm interested in history class. Now that I've been through all these English classes, I'm writing stories about the Middle Ages."

Fellow student Mitchell Kernot, who will attend the Alameda Science and Technology Institute this fall, concurred. "I'm a long time Lord of the Rings fanatic. Fencing is the closest I can get to sword fighting."

Foil I introduces students to the complex footwork, placement of the weapon for attacks and parries, the exchange of engagements between opponents, and putting all of this together in practice bouts. Fencing is traditional, handed down from military texts for over 500 years. Most of the training is in body mechanics, which allows fencers to make split-second decisions and carry out offensive and defensive moves automatically. The true discipline lies in subverting natural instincts to allow the fencer to control an opponent's blade. Bouts are won through a combination of technical and tactical skill and subtle psychology.

Hayes said it takes about five years to become a knowledgeable fencer. "It can be as athletic as you want it to be."

The new semester begins Sept. 5. Whether you want to hone mental skills and agility, want an exciting fitness program, or want to compete on an international level, call the Pacific Fencing Club at 814-1800 or visit www.pacificfencingclub.com.