Longsword 101: A four-week course on fighting with the longsword!

11468 Sorrento Valley Rd,,San Diego CA 92121

11 April, 2021

Description

Join San Diego Longsword’s historical fencing team for a four-week workshop focused on the basics of medieval swordplay! Please go to: https://sdlsonline.simplero.com/products/126027-Introduction-to-Medieval-Longsword for more information on how to sign up! THIS SESSION: 2:30 - 3:30 pm, Sundays, April 11th - May 2nd at Team Touche Fencing in Sorrento Valley. Not quite up to arm-wrestling The Mountain or grappling with Conan the Barbarian? No worries! While the Hollywood image of Henry Cavill wielding a 10 pound chunk of steel is certainly a crowd pleaser – we sure like it- the historical art of fighting with the longsword is surprisingly complex and subtle. The great master of this art stated that the successful swords-person “fights strength with weakness and weakness with strength”. This course provides detailed instruction in the basic elements of dueling/fencing with the longsword - it’s a great place for beginners to start their practice of any medieval fencing art, and also an effective way for experienced fencers to get a deeper understanding of basic fencing mechanics. What is HEMA? The study and practice of historical European sword combat (sometimes called historical fencing, or just plain “sword fighting”) is a growing field of sport and recreation – an entertaining way to discover a fascinating part of medieval and Renaissance history; get some great physical exercise; and a wonderful place to make some new friends. There are a growing number of HEMA study groups, practical (training) conferences, and competitive tournaments all across the United States (as well as many in Europe, South America, and Australia) that are working to revive this historical art. The San Diego Longsword HEMA program is a series of weekly workshops designed to give students of all ages an opportunity to discover, and eventually master, the surprisingly complex practice of medieval sword fighting. Drawn directly from historical source material – the fight-books or “manuals of defense” from the 14th and 15th centuries – San Diego Longsword HEMA program lets you experience the skills of a real medieval knight training for battle, duel, and tournament. The San Diego Longsword program is a proud member of the national network of HEMA Alliance affiliated training programs, and is a member of the Chivalric Fighting Arts Association. Who is San Diego Longsword? San Diego Longsword is a Western Martial Arts (WMA), or Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) interpretative training class, coordinated by the Chivalry Today Educational Program. Our head instructor, Scott Farrell has over 30 years of exeperience in the knightly arts, and has been a HEMA instructor since 2010! His assistant, Loreen began instructing in 2018. We work out of two beautiful facilities: LionHeart Academy in El Cajon and Team Touche Fencing in Sorrento Valley. Who Can Attend?  All participants, ages 16 and up, who seek to satisfy thier curiosity in regards to this martial art in an environment of respect and inclusivity, are welcome to join us. Can women do this? Of course! Women are among the most accomplished practioners in our club and in the martial art. Why should I do this?  Like those knights-in-training of old, the focus of San Diego Longsword is not just on physical skill, but also on the values of self-discipline, respect, trust, sportsmanship, and honor – the values of the code of chivalry! Each session of San Diego Longsword is conducted in a safe, supportive environment under the supervision of Scott Farrell (director of the Chivalry Today Educational Program) and his staff of instructors. Come join us for San Diego Longsword medieval sword-combat training – whether you want to learn to cross swords and spar with fellow students, or just get a low-impact workout through the range-of-motion physical techniques of the art of defense (it’s like yoga with a sword). Classes for adults and youth/teens (10 and up) are held weekly! Will I get to fight at my first class?  While we appreciate the enthusiasm that students bring to this martial art, it is a complex and subtle system of fighting; on average it takes about 14-16 weeks for students to learn enough techniques to begin slow speed freeplay. Students will not begin contact exercises until they have completed this course. Think of the Longswrod 101 as the sword equivalent of your first few piano lessons. It’s going to be a while before you’re ready to play your first concert. However, if you’re willing to make the commitment to learning the technique, we’re confident that we can get you there! What should I wear? What should I bring?  San Diego Longsword provides all of the loaner equipment necessary to get you started! Students should wear comfortable athletic clothing. Closed toed non-marking athletic shoes are required for all attendees. Please, do not wear boots or sandals.  I have more questions, how do I get into contact with you?  Give us a call, shoot us a text, or send us an email and we’ll be sure to get back to you as soon as possible!  Phone: 619-742-2315 Email: [email protected] Above: Instructors Scott Farrell and Loreen Mattis teaching an armored fighting workshop at SoCal Sword Fight. New students engaged in learning the guard alber.