A full day of watching people bash each other with swords seemed like everything a girl could want.
In the week leading up to the event, I admit I was a little nervous about the possibility of being seen as the odd one out - that maybe people would look at me as if I wasn't supposed to be there. I probably don't quite look like what one would imagine as 'the typical fencer'. This was hammered home when I first walked through the Scout Hall doors, and was met with a room almost entirely full of men - many bearded, many bespectacled - many very, very tall. All clad in the dark coloured jackets I have now come to recognize as essential HEMA gear - I could even name a couple of the different brands, which I realized with a little bit of happy surprise. This felt like a very similar image to that of my first time ever witnessing anything HEMA related - when I first saw the sword swinging, the heated debates, the gear. It was kind of nice to see how much of it was now familiar to me, even after only a couple of months.
Gear in all shapes and sizes. (Photo credit: Justin Masters)
Even so, I couldn't shake that initial feeling of wanting to shrink into a corner and hope nobody noticed me or asked any questions, lest I be found out as a total and utter fraud.
In fact, to begin with, I did place myself in the nearest corner - trying to give myself a moment to take in the intensity of all the goings-on around me. I spotted my instructor across the hall and waved gingerly as my eyes threatened to fall out of my head from darting around so rapidly. There were the ever-popular longswords - all differently shaped and hilted - their menacing appearance only stymied by the almost comically bright tape on the ends. There were single-swords - slightly more familiar to me, but still with so many variations that I couldn't quite keep up. Was that a rapier? Hang on, is that one a sabre? But where's the curve? And what the fuck is a dussack?!
I was learning quickly. I had no choice. Things were moving at such a fast pace - owing to the event's impressively efficient organizers. I did have a chance to meet some people who I had seen around the various HEMA social media pages - or caught glimpses of at the first info night. As I shook hands and exchanged smiles, I felt my initial trepidation begin to fade. Everyone I met was warm, passionate and excited about the day ahead - they were the antithesis of the image their immense armoured figures and large steel weapons suggested.
I also met several awesome female fighters - who gave me real, tangible proof that I can get in that ring and face off against the tall dudes too.
Sounds of metal clanging were punctuated by laughter - from the participants, from the judges, from the spectators. The mood was a bright and joyous one. The competitors were there to fight, but also to enjoy themselves - and this shone through more than anything else. The camaraderie was incredible to see. My heart swelled every time I saw two massive men embrace each other after swinging swords at one another's heads.
The love in the room was real, and it was infectious.
The sportsmanship I witnessed was also first rate. Fighters raised their hands to admit when their hits were not 'true', even if the judge had already awarded them a point for it. I had to take a moment to honestly reflect on whether or not I'd have made the same decision in that fighter's place, and felt a little bit morally inferior that it had never really occurred to me to do that. These fighters set the standard for me, and I now understand what will be expected of me when I am ready to compete for the first time.
Several of my fellow students were competing - it was great to get their insight before and after each bout. They all fought formidably, and one student even came second in the novice single-sword. Though ours is the newest school in the area, I know that we will prove ourselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. Our support for one another even with only a few of us competing illustrated that for me.
On a more frivolous note - we also went and got lunch together in the break - it was nice to have a different context in which to relate to these people who I had been getting to know in class for the last couple of months. I really think that strengthening our bond as fellow students in this way will be of real benefit to us when we all get the chance to represent our school together in future.
All in all - I had a wicked day. I met some wonderful people, saw some truly impressive fighting, learned a lot, and didn't feel judged or intimidated by anyone - which I admit I was a little worried about. HEMA seems like an incredibly welcoming art which has room for both great discipline and great fun. The event ran incredibly smoothly, a testament to the judges, the sticklers and the organizers.
I really can't wait until I am at a level where I can compete myself. And - considering I was deathly afraid of sparring not even a month and a half ago - I'm very happy to be able to say that now. I owe that new-found comfort to the amazingly supportive people I have come to know in my short time in the HEMA world. Yesterday's tournament is the first of many for me.
A tentative bash with my instructor during lunch break.
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