When do you train?

Tuesdays 7pm

Sundays 10am

Where's this at?

Takapuna Normal Intermediate School

Can I just turn up and join in?

You are welcome to come along to one of our training sessions, to introduce yourself and have a watch. However, we don't normally have people just turn up and join in. Keep an eye out for our beginner's training classes.
 

When's your next beginner's class?

 

Have a look at the events page (www.swordandshield.nz/upcoming-events) and any upcoming beginners class will be available to sign up there. If there isn't a class up there, then we haven't organised one yet - subscribe to our updates (https://www.swordandshield.nz/blog) and you'll be the first to know!

 

Please don't email us asking when the next will be. As soon as we know, we'll put it up on the website. 

How Much Does It Cost?

Membership fees are $400 per year, making it one of the cheapest martial arts clubs in Auckland. The club has weapons and protective gear that new members can use while training until they can get their own. After grading members should count on buying at least a pair of gloves ($30-$40) and a fencing mask ($125). After that members usually continue buying more protective gear and a blunt steel sparring weapon. Swords cost around $150 to $600 and padded jackets are a similar price.

Who Can Join?

We accept anyone 18 and years and older. The club has members from 18 to 55 years of age and welcomes people of all ethnicity and gender.  

How do I get involved?

It’s easy - come along to one of our training sessions, introduce yourself and have a watch. Our beginner's training is regularly scheduled and you can sign up here on this website (www.swordandshield.nz/upcoming-events)

 

How inclusive are you?

 

Very. Our policy is simple: “be excellent to each other.” We expect everyone to treat everyone else with respect. No fuss, no drama, just lots of mutual love of swords. This is no macho testosterone-fuelled fight club - we pride ourselves on being chilled, friendly and welcoming.

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Do you have to be European to do this?

 

No – we have quite a range of different cultures/ethnicities in our Club.

 

Hi, I’m an overseas HEMA person and I’m passing through!

 

That’s awesome. Let us know you’re coming and then drop in to say hello. We get quite a lot of people passing through in summer and we always enjoy meeting you.

 

Hi, I’m from overseas and I’ve studied HEMA before - I’d like to get involved!

 

That’s awesome, let us know you’re coming then drop in and say hello. You’ll have to do a truncated version of our beginners’ course (to familiarise you with our safety practises) but then you can jump straight in.

 

Is swordmanship useful in the 21st Century?

Well, not really or at least not directly. But if you’re interested in getting fitter but aren't that interested in the gym this could be the thing for you. It is useful for developing strength, balance, and coordination. If you are an actor or stuntperson the skills learned may help you land roles in productions requiring authentic skill at arms. Finally, it’s very social and we have a lot of fun.

Is it Dangerous?

Not really. Like most sports there is the possibility of injury. However, injury rates are low compared to sports like Rugby, Surfing, Skiing, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, and many others. The club takes safety very seriously. All members have to go through our beginners’ course which focuses on learning safety. Appropriate protective gear is required and provided. Inappropriately aggressive behaviour is not tolerated. We frequently review our safety practises and make improvements.

 

What is HEMA?

 

Historical European Martial Arts. Basically, what is says on the tin - we study historical sources on sword fighting (and other weapons) and try to recreate them. It’s not usually about dressing up historical – it’s more about using equipment made with modern materials and technology so we can hit each other at a speed and power as similar as possible to the source material without injuring each other.

 

What kind of HEMA do you do?

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Well, that’s a tough question - we’re a very broad church and we like it that way. There is no single “official” Club style or indeed way of looking at a treatise. We encourage a diversity of opinions and interpretations. We’re definitely more of an anarchist collective than a dictatorship. There will be people doing slow practice and people training hard out. You can pick what suits you or make up your own approach. The only condition is that people must conform to our safety rules.

 

Is this LARP/Historical Re-enactment/Bohurt/Medieval combat/staged combat?

No. But it could be useful training for all the above.

 

My child would like to come and learn about being a knight, is that something you do?

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No sorry - minimum age is 18 and I’m afraid this isn’t likely to change. There are other clubs out there with youth groups, have a look around.

 

I’m a film director/event-organizer and I’d like people to dress up medieval and swing swords around for my movie/event.

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We're not really interested in “exposure” so unless it’s super well paid or offering some kind of awesome experience for us, then we’re probably not interested.

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Are you like a modern Knights Templar?

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No. (You’d be surprised how often we get this question).

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I have an Anduril sword that I bought from a convention, I’d like to bring it down!

 

Lol. No thanks.