HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. This umbrella term is often used to describe the practice of studying weapons and combat styles within the pre-modern era in Europe.

Historical Fencing as we use it refers to the use of weapons, primarily swords, as documented in the original European treatises or ‘fight books’.

Historical Fencing is a dynamic and exciting sport. It is similar to modern fencing in training, protective equipment, and competition but it has one foot in history as we work to rediscover the lost art of swordplay.

Sword Fighter is the name of our club. We opened our doors in 2013 and since then have trained hundreds of people in Historical Fencing. Specifically we train in what is called Blossfechten (unarmoured fencing). Our main weapons include longsword, rapier, and sidesword but we also train sabre and more niche weapon systems.

Some of our members are highly competitive and have travelled across Australia and internationally to compete against fencers from all over the world. Some of our members are more interested in the recreation of lost martial arts, and some of our members just enjoy socialising with their clubmates while hitting each other with swords.

Our sessions are fully coach-directed group lessons. They involve learning techniques and drills and practising them with a partner. Sparring also makes up an important part of these sessions so that athletes can learn to use what they are learning against a non-compliant opponent. Sessions usually run for 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Historical fencing is a limited contact sport. The aim is to hit the opponent without getting hit but we always do so with the safety of our teammates in mind. Almost all of the body is a target but we never aim to hurt, knock out, or injure our opponents. Our swords are specially designed reproductions of historical swords that have safer flex and weight requirements.

New members will be guided through this process and we take care to build capacity and confidence as training progresses.

Brand new fencers:
Wear comfortable workout clothes and shoes. No boots or bare feet.
You will be issued a loaner mask and sword to use during training.

Regular fencers:
Regular fencers wear a club shirt and a fencing mask. They will start to acquire their own protective equipment, including: mask, gloves, fencing jacket, and fencing pants. Training with steel swords requires a minimum level of protective equipment. We do offer equipment hire for some basic equipment.

Competitive fencers:
Competitive fencers wear a full set of specially designed protective equipment for our sport. It is made of puncture resistant materials, hard protection for joints, specially designed gloves and masks. All equipment must be from trusted and accredited manufactures. We do not wear steel armour or ‘historical’ outfits while training.

Not at all! We regularly take on new members, most of whom have no prior experience in fencing. Our members are made up of of all ages, fitness levels, and genders.

For new members we run three intake sessions a year. These sessions are designed to teach new fencers all the skills they need to join our regular classes.

Intake sessions are made up of three lessons on Thursday nights. All equipment is supplied. In some cases intake training can be done privately depending on coach availability.

To find out when the next intake is occurring or to join in please contact us here or through Facebook.