Update on the World Wide Open Longsword and Rapier Champions

[Colin Richards]

World Wide Open Longsword and Rapier Championships are filling up!

Here is some more information about the championships:
Near Hannover Germany.
Dates:
Saturday 4th August 2012 until Saturday 11th August 2012
Workshops: Sunday 5th until midday Wednesday 8th August
Competitions: Thursday 9th until Saturday 11th August

You can join either the workshops or the tournaments or both.

Tournaments:
Longsword: fechtfeder
Longsword: Action Flex
Longsword: Women fechtfeder
Rapier: Open
Sword and Buckler: Open fechtfeder
Backsword or Side Sword: Plastic
Dusack: Leather

Spectacular opening ceremony in a 16th century Moated Manor House. Free Coach trip to a famous German town for those of you who come for the whole week. Welcome pack with free t-shirt!

We have a great list of Instructors lined up for you:

The following instructors are scheduled to appear at the workshops of the 3rd World Wide Open Championship 4th August 2012.

Alexander Kiermayer, Germany: German Rapier of Mayer classes
Alvin Geothals, Belgium: Ringen, Dagger, Longsword classes
Anja Roberts, South Africa: Fighting for women and small men, Longsword classes
Axel Petersson, Sweden: Longsword classes
Bart Walczek, Poland: Dagger, Longsword classes
Brian Stokes, USA: Dagger, Longsword classes
Colin Richards, Germany: Sword and Shield, Fiore Longsword, Dagger
Devon Borman, Canada: Longsword, Rapier classes
Eugino Salmones, Spain: Rapier classes
Jake Norwood, USA: Haupt Games, Langesmesser,
Lee Smith, Canada: Rapier classes
Luis Preto, Portugal: Jogo de Pau classes
Martin Enzi, Austria: Langesmesser classes
Mishael Lopez Cardozo, Netherlands: Longsword, dagger classes
Phil Marshal, Britain: Bologness sword and buckler classes
Reinier Van Noort, Netherlands: Rapier classes
Scott Brown, USA: Longsword, sword and buckler classes
Stefan Roth, Germany: Longsword.

There are over 45 classes scheduled! There are at least 4 time slots per day.

Classes: Here is a sample of some of the classes that will be given: See our web site for more class descriptions
http://www.artsofmars.com

Phil Marshall and members of The School of the Sword
Bolognese Sword and Buckler Part I – Wide Play
The wide play for sword and buckler in the Bolognese style is characterised by flowing movements, elegant guards and the use of intricate footwork to control distance. This workshop is an opportunity to explore the typical actions of this style, where every cut, true edge or false edge, can be a strike, a parry or an entry into a complex sequence of move and counter move.
No experience is required for this workshop. Participants will require a single handed sword (steel, nylon or other simulator) and a suitable buckler, as well as masks and gloves.
Bolognese Sword and Buckler Part II – Narrow Play
The narrow play for sword and buckler starts with the weapons engaged at a distance where you can hit your opponent simply by straightening your arm. Fighting at this distance is naturally dangerous as there is limited time to act and little room for error. This workshop uses free-form drills to allow you to explore the actions available from this position, working at half speed so that you have time to watch the openings develop and understand the tactile feel of the weapons when they are engaged in close quarters.
No experience is required for this workshop. Participants will require a single handed sword (steel, nylon or other simulator) and a suitable buckler, as well as masks and gloves.
Bolognese Sword and Buckler Part III – Putting It Together
This is an opportunity to combine some of the skills and actions from parts I and II, including the transitions from wide play into close play and back out again. The emphasis is on controlling your space in the fight.
This workshop may include some light sparring; proper protection is required for these sections, including mask, gloves, gorget, chest/groin protection and no bare skin.
Second Intention in Rapier (and other weapons)
One of the most common complaints about swordplay is the number of double hits that occur. A major cause of double hits is that fighters get locked into a fixed, single intention – a plan to carry out one move no matter what the opponent does. This workshop focuses on developing eyes-open second intention actions – the ability to think several moves ahead in the fight and adapt to your opponent’s counter actions. There is a particular emphasis on maintaining your core defence while developing your attack.
Luis Preto
Here are the class descriptions.
 
1) A combat centred historical analysis of the evolution of parrying techniques within Jogo do Pau, from the in motion parries of combat in out numbered scenarios to the blocking parries, and its repercussions on combatants' tactical options for combat waiting guards.
 
2) Using the scientific principles of the ecological perspective of human movement for the development of a functional teaching curriculum of (striking) martial arts' fundamental techniques: strikes, parries and footwork 

Devon Borman

Fiore Longsword: 5 Ways to Win the Crossing

Pre-Requisites: Fundamental understanding of a longsword system -
Italian, German, English, etc.

Complexity Level: Intermediate

Ideally in any crossing you want to be in the dominant position at its
conclusion; which is one where you have either expelled the sword from
the crossing or are in an advantageous position in the bind. This
workshop will explore the 5 methods that can be used to win a crossing
(parry, deflection, collection, counter-cut, and counter-thrust) and
the approach in the Italian system to perform these actions from the
core guards against various directions of attack.

Please come to our web site and see what we have on offer for you:

http://www.artsofmars.com/index.php/championships.html


Hope to see you there: we are filling up fast, be quick not to be disappointed.

Colin & Sandra Richards
Organisers 3rd World Wide Open Longsword and Rapier Championships