WMAW 2011

[Sir Edward]

People recorded video of some of the fights. I'll try to locate some. Also, one of the other VAF guys shot some video of one of my bouts (me vs Matt Cacy, considered one of the top Selohaar students). I hope to get a copy of that soon too.

In the meantime, here are my pictures from the event. It's in two facebook albums:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150373510366341.404751.534921340

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150381790336341.406379.534921340

[Sir Edward]

Don't mess with Jess:

[Sir Edward]

Our own Bill Grandy (with the yellow and red leggings) in a longsword bout during the armored deed of arms:



And a sword-and-buckler bout between Guy Windsor and Roland W. (not going to try to spell his name) during the feast night's combat demos:

[Sir Edward]

Baton fight:

[Das Bill]

My head is still reeling at what an amazing event that was. Every year it seems to get better and better.

Our own Bill Grandy (with the yellow and red leggings) in a longsword bout during the armored deed of arms:

There is a mistake in the naming in that video. I was fighting Maestro Sean Hayes, not "John". That was an incredibly fun fight. There was a scary moment at the end that the video doesn't capture, but I drove my point into Sean's armpit just as he was closing to throw me. The point was in there so well, which is what caused him to fall with me, and he fell straight on top of it. I felt the blade really bend hard, and those are not very flexible swords. I was genuinely scared Sean had gotten hurt, and I heard people around me asking, "Are you okay?" Turns out they were talking to me, not him, and everything was just fine.

I am a little confused as to why they ended the bout there, as we were supposed to go to 5 passes, yet we only did four. *shrug* No biggie; I had a ton of fun either way.

[Sir William]

I thought he got irritated w/you Bill, and tried to throw you since he couldn't best you on foot.  I also really liked the sword and buckler demo...looks like you fellows had a grand time.  Hope to make it someday myself.

[Sir Brian]

Great videos and excellent match Das Bill! Well done indeed although I would have been cool to have seen you do a pile driver on him in plate!   

[Das Bill]

I thought he got irritated w/you Bill, and tried to throw you since he couldn't best you on foot.

Oh, no, he definitely was not irritated. Sean is a not only a fine fencer, but also a very honorable gentleman. I'm attaching a link below of a video of the exact same bout where the sound is better, and you can hear him telling the judges to give me the point about the throw because he was more concerned about us doing justice to the art then he was about winning for personal gain. That's the kind of stand-up guy Sean is.



As a side note, Sean was having issues with his helmet (that's why it kept popping up), and it was strongly blocking his vision, yet he didn't try to use that as an excuse. I'm quite certain the bout would have turned out different had he not had this issue, and I can't wait until the next time I get to fight him to find out!

[Das Bill]

I thought he got irritated w/you Bill, and tried to throw you since he couldn't best you on foot.

Oh, no, he definitely was not irritated. Sean is a not only a fine fencer, but also a very honorable gentleman. I'm attaching a link below of a video of the exact same bout where the sound is better, and you can hear him telling the judges to give me the point about the throw because he was more concerned about us doing justice to the art then he was about winning for personal gain. That's the kind of stand-up guy Sean is.



As a side note, Sean was having issues with his helmet (that's why it kept popping up), and it was strongly blocking his vision, yet he didn't try to use that as an excuse. I'm quite certain the bout would have turned out different had he not had this issue, and I can't wait until the next time I get to fight him to find out!

[Sir William]

Glad to hear it...and noted the issues w/the helm (including hearing someone mention 'duct tape' as a solution lol).  I think its awesome such stand-up guys are into the art.

[Sir Edward]

Well this year I spent less money than I have in the past. The last few times I've gone, I've come home with new albions (or at least ordered them). This year it was easier to resist... because I already have one on order. lol!

But I picked up a messer trainer from A&A (I think they finally nailed it. It handles well, and costs less than the ones others are making), as well as a new gorget from That Guy's Products.

My effort to pace myself, and get into slightly better physical condition in advance, both worked out pretty well. I signed up for a lot of lectures, and made sure I got to bed at a semi-reasonable time by not staying on-site past 11pm. I also made a point to drink a lot more water. Between these, I still had energy for more vigorous classes on the last day, didn't get my usual migraine toward the end, and I was ready to fence more people.

Also, doing cardio stuff at the gym in advance helps a lot. When I bouted other folks, my arms would get tired quickly, but I never got out of breath. I kept going until they suggested we stop.  

I think the event gets a little better each time. Boy, 2013 is a long time away.

[Das Bill]

Yes, this was definitely the best WMAW, and it seems that the event only gets better every single time.

But I picked up a messer trainer from A&A (I think they finally nailed it. It handles well, and costs less than the ones others are making),

You aren't kidding. The current version exceeds my expectations in function, form, and even price. The prototypes that I commissioned are now back at A&A for Craig to modify to be like the one you have, and I'm half tempted to buy another just because these are so awesome.

My effort to pace myself, and get into slightly better physical condition in advance, both worked out pretty well. I signed up for a lot of lectures, and made sure I got to bed at a semi-reasonable time by not staying on-site past 11pm. I also made a point to drink a lot more water. Between these, I still had energy for more vigorous classes on the last day, didn't get my usual migraine toward the end, and I was ready to fence more people.

Also, doing cardio stuff at the gym in advance helps a lot. When I bouted other folks, my arms would get tired quickly, but I never got out of breath. I kept going until they suggested we stop.  

That's awesome that you fenced so much. I feel like I was trying too hard to pace myself, so I actually did not get in as much free fencing as I wish I did, and I'm sort of kicking myself now about that. Oh well, it was still an amazing event, and I'm once again sad to have to wait another two years for the next one.

[Sir Edward]

It's funny, I'm always nervous and slightly apprehensive before going. There's just so much raw talent out there, and I'm terrified of showing up without some critical piece of equipment. But once I'm there, I have a blast, have no worries, and end up buying more gear while I'm there.

What's cool is to see the overall quality of the classes, skill levels, etc continue to improve each year.

This event really is the cream of the crop. Or the "crown jewel" as I heard someone else say.

[Sir William]

Two years til the next one?  Is this invitation only?

[Sir Edward]

No, anyone can sign up, but the registration fills up faster and faster every year. This year it filled in about 3 days.

It's held every other year, for a couple of reasons. The event used to be put on by two different schools, and they took turns doing it. I don't know the whole story, but one of the schools stopped doing it. The remaining one (The CSG) took it over completely, but it's so much work to do it that they decided they couldn't ramp up to doing it every year by themselves. Plus, the current site ended up working out so well, that they don't want to go back to moving it around like they did before. So now it's just every other year.

Some folks have tried to have some smaller events on the off years to fill the gap (specifically Chivalric Weekend up in NY, which might not be happening anymore). Most other events are annual as you'd expect.