Hello,

I have belonged to this forum for over a year and am now interested in getting into shape and learning some longsword.

Currently my college offers a fencing course (classical epee stuff) that allows you to practice with longsword and messer if you attend the club meetings. I really want to learn some longsword but I am afraid that the fencing instructor is not terribly interested in, nor appreciative of medieval martial arts.

Are there any groups in Northern California that you guys know of?

Eric Meyers teaches at the Sacramento Fencing Club, I believe. He works on more of the Renaissance material, but he's a respected teacher.

There's also Schola St. George, who focus on the Italian medieval arts, as well as sword and buckler from I.33. They may work on other arts as well.

Where in nor-cal do you go to school? St George is kinda in a defunct position ATM, but the people who use to do it still do in the Fremont area. There is also a school down in santa clara. UC berkeley sometimes has longsword de-cal classes. And while not historical, there is the local SCA for fellow sword enthusiasts :) . Also I know a pair of people who get together for german longsword up in Lodi. If I can get enough interest and I can find a spot, I may start a study group in the richmond/orinda area as well. If you tell me where you live, I can start pointing you in the right direction :) .

Sacramento is to far away for me to belong to, but I wouldn't mind dropping by to see how its done. I'm from Humboldt county and Mendocino county (i.e. close to oregon and close to santa rosa) depending on if i'm with family or up in school since I go to humboldt state.

Well as for humbolt...umm I don't know any out that way other then to see if any SCA folks are around. Even if the SCA isn't exactly historical martial arts, there are some who do cross train and they maybe better able to point you where you want to go.

Now if you come down to santa rosa, then sac isn't too bad of a drive...but the school in santa clara might be a better drive as you have a major freeway to take you there. And the freeway can take you to the St. George people or myself pretty easily as well. If you need more info on any groups I mentioned, shoot me a PM and I'll answer as best as I can :) .

In Humboldt, you should contact Antone Blair in Arcata. I'm not sure if he does much longsword, but he teaches quite a few other historical weapons. PM me if you can't find any contact info for him.

I studied longsword under Steaphen "Davenriche" Fick for two years. I can't recommend his school highly enough. He is a top-notch teacher and all-around great human being.

I have actually been searching around the internet and talking with different people in the bay area about longsword groups also. I live in Concord and work in Pleasanton and am really looking for anything closer than Santa Clara. I would love to attend the Santa Clara school but it is just a bit far for me to go to consistently. If anyone has a group or knows of any group please send me a email at kp@deadreason.com or leave a reply in this message. Thank you

Michael,
I am in Santa Rosa and there are no groups around here that I am aware of. I wish there were. I have looked for the last couple years, and most are 1-2 hours drive from SR. Good luck with your search and let me know if you find something closer,
thanks,
Michael