A Fechtschule is an old European tradition in which local and visiting instructors would host a unique event to offer focused combat training, present skillful displays, and hold specialized tournaments to amuse and entertain excited spectators. Keeping with this tradition we invite you to join us March 25th-27th in Houston, Texas for the second annual:

FECHTSCHULE AMERICA!!!
March 25-27th Houston, Texas. U.S.A.

http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

Fechtschule America is the new name of 2010's Open International Gathering. Last year we blew the doors off the North American WMA/HEMA scene but that was only the beginning!

Once again we are amassing top caliber instructors from all over the world to provide the absolute best instruction possible to the American audiences. This year's teaching staff will, once again, include instructors teaching for the first time in the U.S. as well as seasoned veterans! Participant's can expect all the great activities from the 2010 event but don't think we are resting on our laurels. We have quite a few new treats in store including more than one exciting surprise! Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity!

We know a lot of folks are eager to hear about the tournament opportunities and we are only too happy to oblige! After hosting the world’s first open international dussack competition in several hundred years we are planning to do it again! There will be an open international mixed weapon competition that will allow longsword, sword and buckler, and single sword fencers to demonstrate their skills! We also have another tournament in the works but the details of this surprise event are being kept under lock and key for now!

So if you think you have what it takes to compete with the world’s best fencers then come strut your school pride in North America's biggest, most prestigious WMA/HEMA specific competitions.

The Hammertertz Forum Open International Tournaments!

This year the Hammertertz Forum Open International Tournaments will include a Mixed Weapons Division and Dussack Division. The Mixed Weapons Division will allow fencing with the longsword, sword and buckler, and single handed sword at each fencer’s discretion.

Rest assured that even in this tight economy the hosts of Fechtshule America are dedicated to keeping the costs low and the value high. As we did last year we will be offering discounted hotel arrangements (Better rates than last year and still includes a HOT breakfast!) and travel to and from the airport for our out of town guests. See the appropriate pages on our website (http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com) for all the details.

Registration is open and we are finalizing the instructor staff and schedule of events. Check the site frequently for the latest details such as tournament rules, updated instructor lists, schedules, and some of our surprise events!

This event is perfect for martial artists, researchers, stage combatants, sports fencers, SCA/re-enactors/LARP, and living history enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Find all the details and stay up-to-date by visiting http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

We'll see you in Houston, March 25th-27th, 2011!


Your hosts,
Schwert am Schwert!

A Fechtschule is an old European tradition in which local and visiting instructors would host a unique event to offer focused combat training, present skillful displays, and hold specialized tournaments to amuse and entertain excited spectators. Keeping with this tradition we invite you to join us March 25th-27th in Houston, Texas for the second annual:

FECHTSCHULE AMERICA!!!
March 25-27th Houston, Texas. U.S.A.

http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

Fechtschule America is the new name of 2010's Open International Gathering. Last year we blew the doors off the North American WMA/HEMA scene but that was only the beginning!

The schedule of events and class descriptions are now updated and available for drooling upon. Visit us at http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com for all the details.

Registrations have been brisk and we’d like to thank all those who registered before the schedule was complete for their faith and trust in us. You won’t be disappointed! For who haven’t registered we encourage you to hurry as the discounted rates will only last until February, 25th!

THE HAMMERTERTZ FORUM OPEN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS-

After judicious review of historical formats we have made a significant change to one of the tournaments. The “mixed weapons” tournament will now be a longsword only tournament. This is in the spirit of historical fechtschulen where like weapons faced like weapons exclusively.

We are finalizing the rules for this year’s tournaments and will have them online in the next couple of weeks so check in often to prepare for North America’s stiffest competitive environment. Equipment standards will also be online in this time frame to allow participants to ensure they are ready for Open International level competition.

Stay tuned for more tournament announcements in February and get to Houston to make sure your school colors are represented on the international level!


We are proud to inform you that we have many of today’s top WMA / HEMA equipment vendors attending including Purpleheart Armory, Therion Arms, and Albion Swords! Be sure to contact these great vendors in advance to bring all your favorite equipment and save on shipping costs.


Find all the Fechtschule America details and stay up-to-date by visiting http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

Reply here or contact info@fechtschuleamerica.com for any further questions you may have.


We'll see you in Houston, March 25th-27th, 2011!


Your hosts,
Schwert am Schwert!

Just a quick note to inform all our SCA and Living History friends that after many concerns that last year's event was scheduled the same weekend as Gulf Wars we have made special effort to move this year's event to a different weekend. This was not an easy task due to facility availability and several other issues so be sure to encourage all your SCA/LH friends to support this great event and show that the WMA/HEMA and SCA/LH communities can work together to their mutual benefits!

Testing the Mettle of the 21st Century Swordsmen!!!

Last year the Hammerterz Tournaments at the Fechtschule America in Houston, Texas broke new ground by reviving the first dussack tournament in several hundred years and hosting North America’s largest Open International level longsword tournament. This year, we’re doing it again!

But that’s not all! This year the organizers of Fechtschule America continue their commitment to reviving historical fencing practices by introducing their first Invitational Longsword Tournament. This year’s invitational tournament will be the first attempt to completely and as accurately as possible reconstruct a bona-fide Franco-Belgian style longsword tournament. Formal rules will be announced to participants but key factors will include:

• King of the Hill format
• Steel swords will be mandatory equipment
• Limited target area- Above the waist and above the elbow
• Striking with the flat only
• Both hands must remain on the grip of the sword
• Blades must be chalked
• No corp-à-corp or grappling
• Fencers must wear black
• Afterblow only privileged to the King

We know that many will want to know who is invited to compete in the Hammerterz Invitational Longsword Tournament. This year the participants will consist of many of the instructors scheduled to teach at the Fechtschule America as well as their top students. A number of additional, well documented and accomplished fencers have also been invited based on their experience, prowess and record of success at international level tournaments. All of this is to ensure a higher standard of fencing excellence under which to better expose the current state of historical fencing practices.

For those aiming to compete in the Open International divisions and hoping to fence the world’s best longswordsmen and women there is no need to worry. Many instructors and senior fencers will also be competing in the Open divisions as well. So, don’t miss these great opportunities to see today’s best fencers compete and put your skills and interpretations to the test. If you’ve been dreaming of putting your school on the international map via physical prowess, now is the time!

The rules and equipment standards for the Hammerterz dussack and longsword division tournaments are now online and fencers can review them at http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

Only two weeks left to save money on the discounted rate so register today!

We look forward to hosting you in Houston, March 25-27th, 2011.

Schwert am Schwert, Houston
The Western Martial Arts Coalition
The Historical European Martial Arts Alliance

Also in related Fechtschule America news....


Luis Preto of Jogo do Pau fame has been added to the schedule!

Tournament rules are up at http://www.fechtschuleamerica.com

Only a couple weeks left to save on the early registration rate so hurry and sign up!


This year is gonna be a doozy!

Hi All,

Just a quick reminder that early registration ends tomorrow, February 25th, 2011. You can still register up until the day of the event but if you want to save $75 you'll want to register today!

Lots of our bonus events are coming together and I've personally seen previews of most of the lectures and surprises. I can't wait, it's gonna be a hoot!

See you in Houston,

Scott