I went to one of their group socials last week, appropriately set in a pub called The Rummers Tavern that sits opposite Cardiff Castle. Everyone in the group was friendly and welcoming, and I got along with them pretty quickly (I think wearing a T-Shirt for viking-metal band Turisas served as a good ice-breaker!)
They invited me to join their combat training session last night (sadly I joined as the Winter term was ending, so there's no more until after the New Year) and it was immense fun. As a newcomer a.k.a 'squishie', I was given basic combat training with a wooden sword, protective glove for my sword arm and a basic helmet.
I was put through my paces by one of the instructors, learning the seven basic sword swings and corresponding defence blocks. I was told I had picked it up quite quickly so I did some 'attack and response' sparring with one of the other newbies there.
It was only a 90 minute session, but I loved every minute of it. I quickly realised that I have virtually no grip in my sword arm. After about an hour I was unable to properly swing the sword, so I'll need to work on that over Christmas. I also need to judge what kind of attack is coming my way before I start to block, as more than once I took a sword to the shoulder.
I can't wait to go again. It is a fantastic group with a great bunch of people. I've been told that in the New Year I'll be doing spearwall training, and I have to make my own 14th-Century clothing. Bring it on!
Oh. My. God. THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! I need to move right now ... because as if anything like this exists in Australia.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can't wait for you to go back - and tell us all about it :-)
ReplyDeleteUmm ... what happened to your Zombie fitness training? I seem to recall I only started my damn diet because you inspired me.
heeheehee!
ReplyDeletesounds like a blast!
it seems to me they will finally make a proper medieval warrior out of you :PP
ReplyDeleteThat does sound like fun. And it makes you appreciate even more what it must have been like for people who actually fought with heavy swords wearing heavy armor. You would get worn out so quickly.
ReplyDeleteJamie, this sounds really interesting! Do you plan to post more about it when you return after New Year? I'd be quick to read more.
ReplyDeleteYou need to practice so you don't get the crap beat out of you! You don't want to be a squishie forever.
ReplyDeleteWow. So jealous. This sounds absolutely awesome.
ReplyDeleteWow, that does sound awesome... Well when the zombie apocalypse goes down at least you will have awesome sword skills...
ReplyDeleteThat sounds incredibly fun. I think we have 'oregon trail' enactors out here. The pirate enacter, well, that'd be interesting. But we're not near water. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't martial arts for years and we used to spar with a sword-like weapon and it was the only weapon I hated. Of course we didn't wear gear as they were made of a light material, but it smarted when they hit your hands and I just didn't have the knack for it.
ReplyDeleteThe staff on the other hand.... Love the staff.
Er, that should read that I "did" martial arts. Don't know where I was going with that...
ReplyDeleteI'm dead jealous! Sounds ace :) I have a friend who does this kind of thing with some big society, and she travels all over for it, but as a female it's all kind of long dresses and courtesies and m'lord this and what have you, I don't fancy that, I'd want be in there bashing heads with a sword!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds so fantastic! I'd love to do something like that. And incidentally, I've been to the Rummers!
ReplyDeleteOh. I so want to join that group. It sounds awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a lot of fun. Glad you found a group you like!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds cool!
ReplyDeleteSounds awesome! We had (maybe still have) a group like that in my city. They had specific characters (like warrior, mage, healer, etc). Glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I have got to go out and find a group. We do have a female fighting group here in Chicago called Babes with Blades.
ReplyDelete