Club training days

Community Larp discussion
#1

I’m curious to find out which clubs people at diatribe belong to that do some kind of sword fighting, and when and where they train. I’m always looking for good “lessons” for doing at training and I find that when I pop along and visit clubs I usually pick up a few things that can make training more interesting.

I shall start the ball rolling, by posting the SCA training times:

TUESDAY EVENING
Tuesday evenings heavy combat practice is held at St Georges Hall, Nixon Park, Central Road in Kingsland. Practice will be $2.00 per head for all attending visitors/fighters/non-fighters, no exceptions. Besides offering a large field with floodlights, the real advantage of this site is its centralised position, easily accessible by all and also by the student population.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON
On Sunday, weather permitting, at 12.30, there is rapier practice and often heavy practice under the huge trees in Auckland’s beautiful Cornwall Park (if the rapier marshals are available). Enter the park from Greenlane road, and follow it for about 200 meters on the left hand side, quite close to the road. During summer, this is also a nice place for a picnic.

#2

Auckland Sword and Shield practice every Sunday from 12pm till 3pm at Meola Scout hall on Meola Road in Pt Chev.

The trainings are generally devided into two groups. People who haven’t done their dagger grade yet (beginners) and those that have. This makes it an excellent place to come if you have never done any sword fighting at all.

We also run Sparring on Thursday nights sometimes.

The first 3 lessons are free and after that it costs $10 a month to join.

Unfortunately the Club is on hiatus for the holiday season at the moment and the first training back in the new year will be the first weekend of February.

#3

[quote=“Nikki”]
Unfortunately the Club is on hiatus for the holiday season at the moment and the first training back in the new year will be the first weekend of February.[/quote]

However if anyone wants to learn some stuff, I am more than willing to give some small one on one lessons, If my schedule allows.

#4

Midway through this year, I was part of the Auckland University Fencing club (even though I don’t go to Auckland Uni!)

They train on Thursday nights, 7pm till 9pm. AUF membership is $20 for a term I think.

#5

I used to be a member of the Auckland Uni fencing club. They were a good bunch of people, especially the saber folks who I trained with, and I learned heaps there. Footwork, distance, defense, feinting, etc. With the lightness of fencing weapons it is somewhat similar to larp fighting, probably more so than SCA or metal weapons. Competitions are frequent so there is plenty to aspire to.

The downsides were the linear nature of fencing (it has to be done on a long thin mat, so no circling), the fact that it’s always one-on-one, and for saber the fact below the waist is off-target. But that’s pretty minor stuff, and the speed of combat was exhilarating. Once you get into it your reactions go totally into overdrive.

#6

The SCA does period fencing as well as heavy combat. It’s slower than olympic fencing and the costumes look better (more historic). They train on Sunday 12:30 in the Auckland Domain.

#7

The Argent Lords do combat training from around 4-4:30 to 7pm outside the biology buildings at the University of Auckland. There is no charge, but bringing along a pair of thick leather gloves (gardening gloves etc) is strongly recommended. (Otherwise someone will probably lend you their gross sweaty ones!)
They also do display training at the St Georges scout hall in Kingsland from 1-4pm on Sundays, which involves lots of singing, dancing and display fighting, and do advanced singing and music (recorder and other instrument playing) on Thursday evenings.

It’s an activity that can get expensive- if you go along to any metal wapon club (and I’m sure the same would apply to SCA as well) you will rapidly develop a desire to get your own sword… and a helmet so you can fight in interclub events… and more armour and medieval clothes as well. Lots and lots of fun though!

#8

I was able to watch some sparring at the SCA Tuesday Night practice this evening.

Impressive.

And tempting…

#9

There is a group that has started at Cornwall Park on monday evenings at 6.30pm which teaches 15th century italian longsword. They are keen for new member. This group may end up being associated with the Company of the Lance Auckland jousting group.

#10

Does anyone have contact details for this group???

#11

Does anyone have contact details for this group???[/quote]

Hawkwind has his details listed on diatribe, just search the memberlist and he will be one of the newest joined. 6.30pm tonight at Cornwall Park by the archery club (Greenlane Road entrance)

#12

Does anyone have contact details for this group???[/quote]

Yep, Its run by Nick Harrison and Matthew Barrie (hawkwind).
Matts email is mbarrie@hotmail.com.