Stabbing with style
There is one club at Utah State University that is unique from the rest: the medieval fencing club. Cue dramatic medieval music.
“It’s not a very serious club,” said club president Kai Hartley. “It’s just if you want to learn how to stab people and do it fancily.”
Only 5 or 6 members have come regularly in the past, but the list of official members has recently tripled to 18, said Hartley, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering. The club has sword fighting, armor designing and even occasional medieval tournaments.
The club began as a group called Sword and Sultry, though Hartley recently changed the name. The Medieval Fencing Club’s presidents are trained by Dan Wheeler, who has been fencing for around 22 years.
“What interested me in medieval fencing was the absence of Olympic fencing here in Logan,” Wheeler said. “My favorite part about training students is watching them learn and grow, and seeing their completely different perspective on the lessons they’re taught.”
Members and anyone intrigued in the club are encouraged to come to the biweekly practices, held Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. On Tuesdays, the club meets in the basement of the business building, room 116. The club meeting in the Whittier Community center on Wednesday evenings.
“My favorite part about the Medieval Fencing Club is the people. Some of my best friends I’ve ever had I got to know because I joined the club,” said Patrick Brown, former president of the fencing club and USU graduate in electrical engineering. “Plus, playing with swords is fun.”
Swordfight is only part of what members learn in the club. Members also learn how to make body armor and gear out of plastic, leather, sheet metal or any other materials.
“It wasn’t what I expected, but it was pretty fun,” said Cassandra Dalton, an undeclared junior and member of the club. “I really enjoyed it. I expected sportsman fighting, like the Olympics. But our swords are much more solid, and the name is more medieval. It’s not so much on posture or formality, it’s more trying to just win.”
The swords are blunted and the tips are covered with a blunt, but bruising can still occasionally occur.
“It gives them proficiency in rapier fighting.They might gain advantage on dexterity- saving throws,” Hartley said. “It’s a very solid skill if you’re ever in the zombie apocalypse.”
There are no fees to join the club, and gear is lent to new members who haven’t made their own armor. Swords and helmets are also provided.
“One of my favorite things about the club is the casual environment, so even if you’ve never picked up a rapier or have some previous experience you won’t feel intimidated or hesitant about joining,” said Griffin Dubanowich, a sophomore majoring in electrical engineering. “Another one of my favorite things is that we try and focus on historically accurate fencing styles and technique.”
The club has gone to medieval tournaments in the past, participating in the fencing portion of the event. The next tournament is a Renaissance Faire, or the Feast of Saint Pyr, hosted by the Logan chapter of Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) on April 23.
“I’d say that medieval fencing is easily the most fun thing I’ve ever done,” Wheeler said. “Fighting in a melee, with a bunch of people around you separated into two or more teams, and keeping track of everyone while you’re working together is awesome. You learn to work together as part of a team, or individually, and you learn new ways of thinking.”
-ashley.ruth.stilson@aggiemail.usu.edu