Photo byBen WicksonUnsplash

In the sun-kissed, golden state of California, where surfing sea lions high-five sea-bathing starfish, a group of unordinary kids engage in a special kind of activity - Fencing! Yes, not the type that surrounds your backyard, but the one with masks, jackets, and swords! These are the brave youngsters of ‘En Garde California!’ In this fantastical land where tacos grow on trees and palm trees sway to the rhythm of the Pacific breeze, these kids are learning the ancient art of dueling, just like musketeers from old storybooks. Among them is our hero, Sir Broccoli Bruce, a 12-year-old with curly hair as wild as a lion's mane and a spirit brighter than the Hollywood sign at night. Bruce is not named after the green vegetable he adores but because of his unique ability to turn his opponents green with envy with his fencing skills. Every day, armed with his sword of silver lightning, Bruce and his band of merry fencers prance, lunge, and parry. They look like a bunch of crayons come alive, dancing a ballet in their various colored protective gear. Their giggles echo across the state, from the sunbathing seals in San Diego to the chatty seagulls in San Francisco. California might be known for its cool surfers, glamorous movie stars, and tech-savvy wizards. Still, nothing beats the excitement of watching Sir Broccoli Bruce and his fencing chums charging about, their swords gleaming in the Californian sun. They are the shining knights of the West Coast, and they're here to show that the state is more than just sunshine and Hollywood; it's a place where imagination and courage create extraordinary adventurers.