Hilt, cross, quillions, pommel, forte, hoible, fuller, grip, ricasso.

To those of us who are uninitiated in the art of historic fencing, these words fly past us like a rapier past an ear. But for aficionados of the sport, they're just part of the language of the sword.

For husband and wife instructors Chris and Katie Atkinson, whose Diamond Rose Academie d'Armes historical educational guild teaches historic fencing, it has almost become a way of life.

Chris explained that while fencing is a sport that requires strength, agility and mastering the different weapons, it's also about honor and good sportsmanship.

To explain, Katie compared Olympic fencing to historic fencing. She said Olympic fencers have sensors on their clothes to tell a judge when their opponent has made a "touch"; in contrast, historic fencers are expected to quickly tell the judge or their opponent, without any prompting from an electrical device, when a point has been scored.

She also pointed out that historic fencers get to use both hands, while Olympians are only allowed to use one.

Chris' introduction to fencing began when he was working security at a Renaissance fair at Tahoe about 10 years ago. He said he was told his clothing was out "out of date." To remedy that, he dove into Renaissance lore. As he got more and more into the genre of the late Middle Ages, especially the 15th through 17th centuries, the fighting styles of that era became a passion. "I love it," he said.

To help keep those fighting skills alive, Chris teaches classes in Auburn, Nevada City and at Yuba College.

For Peter Morrow, the college's dining services manager, that's convenient, because he'd always wanted to try it out. "I've done Filipino martial arts — which is all sticks, knives and short swords — but nothing from Europe. This is much more elegant."

The historic fencing classes, according to the academy's Web site, "is dedicated to promoting an appreciation of the fundamental techniques and core principles of Western European martial arts through the study and practice and fighting systems from the 15th through the 17th centuries, with an emphasis on the sword and historical rapier combat."

Chris added to that, saying students also learn the short sword and other weapons, including dagger, cane and cloak.

"I enjoy the camaraderie that I've developed with the other students and the teacher," Morrow said. "But for the sport, I enjoy the physical and the mental aspects of it; it's really key to combine them both."

Katie gave another way to look at the sport. "It's like physical chess, and no matter how long you do it, there's always something to learn, because there's always a new opponent."

While the majority of the Yuba College class are adults, teenagers also take part.

Kylie DeCamp, 13, a student at McKenney Intermediate School in Marysville, said she got interested when she and her family were working for the guild and one of the instructors asked her to try it. "I did, and I liked it."

She said she enjoys it. "It teaches me how to defend myself, not just in the class, but outside the class as well. If you ever find yourself in a rough position where you might be harmed, you can take what you've learned here and use it there. I also like it because I can use it to clear my mind. If I'm frustrated, I can concentrate on this and let the other things go."

Charly Goff, the mother of teenage student Althea Furgerson, approves of her daughter learning fencing. "I don't see this as a violent sport," she said. "It helps give her a lot of focus. It teaches sportsmanship and what's appropriate and what's not. By that, I mean if you're going to attack someone to protect yourself, you know what that entails — and what that can do to the other person."

Many sports require an equality of strength or gender for participants to be competitive, but with historic fencing, that's not the case. Linda Maas, who's been practicing since April, explained, "It's a sport where somebody, even someone who's a mature woman like I am, can compete on a level field against a guy who's half my age, twice my size and twice as strong."

It's also a place where families can be together. In addition to husband and wife instructors, students include a father and son, Igor and Arie Knyazev; and Peter Morrow attends with his wife, Britta.

In addition to learning the vocabulary, techniques, weapons and proper dress, historic fencing students often take part in festivals and Renaissance fairs.

Chris said the sport does take a lot of time and effort to climb through the six different skill levels, but that isn't the only reward. Using himself as an example, he explained that he hasn't yet mastered the sport, because he's always learning something new. He compared the sport to an art where the artist is always trying something new as a way to perfect his technique and as a means improve the beauty of his work.

TAKE UP THE SWORD

Yuba College class

2088 N. Beale Road

Tuesdays 7 to 9 p.m.

Cost: $40

For more information, call the Community Education office at 741-6825.

ON THE 'NET

www.diamondroseacademie.org

Or e-mail Chris or Katie Atkinson at lady_katie71@hotmail.com.