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Swords After Surgery logo. It says 'empowerment. connection. play.'

Welcome to Swords After Surgery, a sword-based exercise class for people recovering from breast cancer treatment.

It is based on ‘Solution Riposte’, which was started by Dominique Hornus-Dragne, an anaesthetist and fencer, in Toulouse, France 11 years ago. It has reached more than 6000 women already there, and has also now been started in several other countries.

If you would like to find out more about Swords After Surgery, please email BF Participation Director Paul Cummins via paul.cummins@britishfencing.com.

Swords After Surgery working group:

  • Dr Mary Cohen Lavarello – Course creator and lead medic
  • Beth Cranston-Selby – Lead coach and course designer
  • Victoria Enaut – Movement expert and course designer
  • Chris Turner – BF Head of Coaching & Workforce
  • Paul Cummins – BF Participation Director
  • Miss Nicola Barnes – Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
  • Karen Livingstone – Specialist Breast Cancer Physiotherapist

Last updated 1 Sept 2026