So if you’re wondering if you should go to Longpoint, I have to say without reservation that yes, yes you should. Run by our estimable President, Jacob Norwood, Longpoint is fast becoming the definitive East Coast HEMA Alliance event. Quality teaching, exciting tournaments, fantastic prizes and awesome chances to just socialize await you, so if you can spare the time and money, get yourself out there however you can.
Jacob came down to North Carolina to teach my then-club, GSG, in some fundamentals and exercises. The experience was amazing. He brought his fellow swordsmen, Ben Michels and their friend and student Josh, to come teach and train with us as well, and the chance to discuss theory and practice was invaluable. I can say without a doubt that the guys at Maryland KDF are some of the classiest, friendliest guys ever, and they always put on a good event.
Now, about those prizes.
There will be a cutting competition held at this year’s Longpoint, and they have an amazing prize. To quote Jake from his facebook page:
“In case anyone hadn’t heard, the prize for the Longpoint 2012 Cutting Competition is a brand new Albion Crecy. http://www.albion-swords.com/swords/albion/nextgen/sword-medieval-crecy-xvi.htm. This is the same sword that will be used as the loaner, and the same model that we used as the loaner last year.”
Albion makes some of the finest historically accurate sharps in the business, and any practitioner should leap at the chance to get one. Cutting is a fundamentally invaluable portion of the practice of HEMA – you might be able to hit someone in practice with a certain move every time, but if you can’t perform a clean cut with that move? You might want to reconsider its use. That’s what cutting practice and cutting competition are all about. At Longpoint, you will have the chance to engage in this enjoyable activity, AND possibly win a world-class cutting sword to boot, so don’t miss it!
“And prizes for the sparring tournaments? Your choice–by rank–of equipment like a complete set of Absolute Force HEMA Gear (about $500 worth), PBT neck guard and mask cover, gift certificates from Albion Arms, and the competition weapons from Purpleheart Armories.”
www.woodenswords.com
www.afinternationalsporting.com
http://www.pbthistoricalfencing.com/
Well, what else can you say to that? The new AF HEMA gear is quite exciting to all of us at the Alliance, given the input we’ve had in helping develop it. Just a year ago we were quite dejected that there was almost no available purpose-built safety gear, now we have companies competing to offer us good quality supplies. So if you think you have what it takes to win at a longsword tournament, get to Longpoint and get yourself registered!
Yours Fraternally,
William Farlin Cain
Kron Martial Arts
