Instructional Video and Manual Released for Making a Wheelchair Fencing Practice Frame

Instructional videos and  accompanying manual showing the construction and assembly of a Wheelchair Fencing frame have been released by IWAS.

The frame, suitable for practice and club level fencing, is aimed at providing a more affordable alternative to elite level equipment, in an effort to develop the sport worldwide.

Following the award of an IWAS Grant, the team from Imperial College London worked closely with IWAS to develop and produce the finished article accompanied by an instructional video and user-friendly manual.

The official launch, hosted by the Imperial College London, was attended by IWAS Honorary Treasurer, Bob Paterson MBE, IWAS CEO, Charmaine Hooper and Hilary Sahota, IWAS Sports Manager.

The team from Imperial College London led by Dr. Ian Radcliffe from the Department of Bioengineering also comprised Josephine Latreille, Design Engineering (MEng) Undergraduate, Leah Pattison, Design Engineering (MEng) Undergratuate from the Dyson School of Design Engineering and Camille Morand-Duval, Mechanical Engineering (MEng) Undergraduate.

The wheelchair fencing frame, designed by the all female team, has been designed using inexpensive, readily available materials and uses simple engineering/manufacturing skills allowing those with just a few basic tools to be able to produce the finished frame. The manual and instructional videos cover both the equipment and materials used, making of any jigs and the final construction.

IWAS CEO, Charmaine Hooper said, "The cost of a wheelchair fencing frame can often pose a challenge to athletes, clubs or coaches just getting into the sport. By delivering these free resources IWAS hopes to provide an alternative option that will help to eliminate this obstacle and make the sport more accessible for all."

The team from Imperial College London made extensive research into the needs required for the frame and the most common material and tools available around the world that could be used for its construction. Prototypes were made at Imperial College London, and one was tested by Great Britain (GBR) medalist and Paralympian, Dimitri Coutya and GBR Paralympic Coach Baldip Sahota, putting the frame through its paces.

The final frame is inexpensive, lightweight and easily transportable in three pieces.

The videos and construction manual are available FREE to download from the IWAS website and on the IWAS YouTube site:

IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Frame Manual

Video 1 – IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Frame – Assembly

Video 2 – IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Frame – Part Manufacturing

Video 3 – IWAS Wheelchair Fencing Frame – Bending Rig/Jig Manufacturing

(Photo Credit Imperial College London/ Thomas Angus)