Albuquerque Sword Labs

Hey Sword friends! Sword Labs is changing days!
We are now hosting practice on:
Tuesdays at 7pm
Sundays at noon

Hope to see you there!

A little blurb about next Mondays guest instructor:

Hello everyone! My name is Julian and I will be running a class for you all. A little about my background: I have been teaching HEMA for the past 10 years and have a degree in Kinesiology and Coaching. I have won 5 invitational cutting championships (10x medalist), and, this last year, I won the Schwertkampf Mexican longsword tournament as well as silver at Nordschlag - one of the larger Canadian events.

I will be teaching a workshop for you all on the German Master cuts for the longsword. I will cover what they are and how to execute them both technically and tactically. I have used these cuts effectively in cutting tournaments, so there will be a strong emphasis on how to mechanically execute them for efficacy. I will also use some of my coaching skills to help you learn them in a unique way.

I hope to see you there and am looking forward to meeting you!

Reminder that we'll be having a special Monday class January 16th on German Longsword skills with a guest instructor. Donations required for class attendance. All donations welcome but recommended 20$ min.

The journey of today's warm up, 600 cuts. When it's cold outside, cut your way to warmth.

Let the cuts commence. 25 ascending left, 25 ascending right, 25 descending left, 25 descending right. See how many sets to reasonable exhaustion, rest, take a step back. Repeat with steps alternating cuts forward and back.

Big class! Much Sword!

Word to the wise if you want to start cutting clay. Go visit your local pottery store. You should be able to purchase Clay at a quarter the cost of buying on Amazon. If you want to go really cheap ask if they have clean out clay You can probably pick that up for $5 per 25 lb. Plus you get the added comfort of supporting your local businesses.

Are you getting excited to get back to fencing?!?!
Please take the time to go over the rules of our lovely host site Duke City Fencing:
Per the policies of our host organization, Duke City Fencing, the following Covid-safe practices must be observed if you plan to attend class or observe a session:
1. Upon arrival to and departure from DCF, wash your hands in one of the restrooms or use the hand sanitizer available at the front desk.
2. If arriving during the weekday sessions, you'll be approached for a temperature check using a touchless thermometer before being allowed to enter.
3. Face coverings are required as much as practical. Since it can be hard to breathe while training, we are taking frequent breaks for air and water.
4. The water fountain is off-limits. Please bring your own bottle of water.
5. DCF equipment is no longer freely available for use. Equipment can be checked out from DCF, and is assigned to you for your sole use. You are financially responsible for the equipment if it is lost, damaged, or stolen.

Mark your calendars, we're gonna be back at it May 2nd. I'll be posting guidelines from our host site (duke city fencing) and the minor guidelines from us here soon.