AUGUSTA — Logan Juengst credits the 1987 comedy/adventure movie “The Princess Bride” for taking up fencing.

Juengst, a 10-year old Manchester resident, instantly took to one of the movie’s characters, the swashbuckling Inigo Montoya, played by actor Mandy Patinkin.

Without hesitation, Juengst goes into one of the movie’s famous lines.

“Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die,” said Juengst, as a huge grin spreads across his face.

Like Montoya, Juengst wanted to be handy with a sword. Luckily, he found a fencing club in his own backyard.

Juengst is a member of the Wayback Dueling Club, a fencing club which started less than two years ago by Vassalboro resident Alexander Thompson. The club gives a basic introduction to fencing and its history. It also teaches students the fundamentals needed to grow within the sport. Thompson runs his classes at the Buker Community Center in Augusta.

Thompson, 34, said he and his wife, Alyssa, started the club as a way to volunteer in the community.

“Getting out in the community is ingrained in our background, that’s where this came about,” Thompson said.

Tyce Gagne, left, and Eliana Ellis compete in a bout during a March 14 fencing practice in the gym at Buker Community Center in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Thompson, who has been fencing for 20 years, credited his previous teacher, John Krauss, an instructor at the Down East School of Fencing on Verona Island. He’s stayed in it over the years due to his love of the sport’s history.

“After my parent’s divorce, my sister and I were tasked to keep ourselves busy, to keep us away from trouble,” Thompson said. “(Fencing) did it. I was a huge history nerd. You can only poke someone so many times before you get bored. But there’s a ton of history to it. Just reading all that history, knowing there’s a big lineage to it and behind you, it’s pretty amazing.

“I fenced with John (Krauss), I learned with him. I even tell these guys, ‘You can learn from me, dip your toes (in the sport). But if you really want to learn fencing, you learn from him.”

Some of Thompson’s students, who range in age from 9 to 15, have become interested in the sport’s history.

“For a history buff, like me, there’s plenty of good stuff (in fencing),” said Alex Kimberlin, 14, of Gardiner. “Like how President Teddy Roosevelt did stick fencing with (Major )General (Leonard) Wood.”

Kimberlin also likes the pure nature of the sport.

“We get to do sword fighting. As a sport,” Kimberlin said enthusiastically. “Sign me up.”

Tyce Gagne, left, Eliana Ellis and Logan Juengst all lunge as they practice footwork during a March 14 fencing practice in the gym at Buker Community Center in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Thompson starts classes by going over the basics, such as stance, how to advance (move toward and opponent), how to attack, how to evade (move away from an opponent). But he’s also quick to mix in different styles that fit into fencing and how they mesh with the sport. As an example, Thompson teaches lightsaber fencing — made popular by the “Star Wars” movie franchise — which is a recognized sport in France.

“We’ll see what we’ll have in common with historical European martial arts with the lightsaber, plus it hits less hard (physically),” Thompson said. “(Recently), we did Kendo footwork from Japan. We saw what we have in common, and maybe have in our back pocket, in a (competitive) situation. Aside from the basics, we like to pick here and there from different cultures.”

The students also spend time doing sparring rounds, fencing back and forth against one another competitively. The class also provides a cardio workout. Each student wears the traditional fencing attire — a jacket (or Lamé), a mask with wire mesh, along with white pants and stockings — and after rounds of sparring sessions with other students, are quick to remove their mask to catch their breath or grab a drink.

“After doing it for a while, your legs, the next day, hurt quite a bit,” said Michael Keister, 12, of Norridgewock.

“It’s really cool to see them get their heart rate up,” Thompson added. “In the sport, if you go flatfooted — just like in boxing — the more time you spend on the soles of your feet, you’re going to lose. It’s good to see them bouncing, playing those distance games (with an opponent). And everyone likes to see their kids get tired.”

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