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About

Victory Patch awarded for competing in an officially sanctioned duel

Welcome to our Sword School

Providing an excellent gathering place for those who wish to practice the virtues of swordsplay. Helping the next generation earn the discipline they need to win in life. 

Adult students have the opportunity to enjoy instruction taught in forms recognized as HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts). Instruction and practice is grounded in the works of authentic masters, passed down by treatises to modern practitioners. We use HEMA recognized equipment and rule sets in this endeavor. / Students under the age of 18 enjoy learning in our MSF (Modern Sword Fighting) program. All equipment for young students is made of specialized soft plastic materials designed specifically for their safety needs. MSF is a globally recognized sword sport organization with thousands of students who compete under a strict set of rules of training and conduct. In this way the rising generation can develop a strong foundation of the sword arts without associated risks found in steel practice.

We don’t rise to the level of our Expectations.

We fall to the level of our Training.

19th Century Collegiate Saber

HEMA

Areas of study in our Club currently include 1. British Regimental Sabre and Scottish Broadsword as taught by Roworth. We supplement this discipline with single stick training as an excellent means of introduction .  2. German Longsword as taught by Johannes Liechtenauer. Also we use stick fighting as a way to introduce this discipline to new comers.

From people who are brand new to veteran fighters, there is something for everyone in our adult classes. We break down drills to emphasize balance, and gain strength. We conduct controlled sparring in ways that mismatched opponents can become stronger on an even level. We have war games that exercise the mind in fluid situations. Together we are stronger than apart.

For the absolute newcomer, there are only a few items of safety equipment needed as we start with traditional stick fighting as an introduction, and these will be provided on your first day. Students will have an excellent foundation in training with sticks while having time to invest in masks, gloves, padded jackets, etc. There is no need to put off your training because of the lack for gear. The greatest force in your life is Human will.

As swordsmen, we want to become the best we can be. To that end we train saber and longsword on parallel tracks. This training helps to learn martial concepts in general in a way the single study of one vs the other does not. We can contrast the difference in footwork and explore why the original masters taught as they did.

Sport Sword

Sport Sword or Soft Armored Combat was originally created by Steel Armored Fighters in Eastern Europe as a method of training in faster tempo and for longer periods outside their heavy steel plated metal gear. The soft kit and training style was developed as a way for new fighters including youth to practice the fundamentals of the Buhurt sport. The key benefits of soft gear are greater accessibility to all sword sports, less damage inflicted on steel gear during practice, maximum safety during heavy training, greater flexibility in training situations, games, and fighting styles. Sport Sword is the perfect way to learn fundamentals of historic sword fighting for all ages.

It is for this reason we have selected Sport Sword methodology as the vehicle for our youth program. In addition we have developed a system of progression expressed as ranks. Each rank is derived from acquiring learned skills in class. Not only should a student be able to demonstrate certain skills in a static situation, but also in a dynamic environment such as against an opponent during a  1v1 match or team games.

At the BladeFit Academy we still adhere to the training and competition rules set forth by the IFMSF until a replacement unifying ruleset can be established in the US. Category elements of competitive training are:

  • Sword and Shield
  • Buckler and Sword
  • One handed Sword
  • Two handed Sword
  • Buckler and Saber
  • Eastern Shield and Saber
  • Dueling Saber
 

In learning these disciplines, we infuse specially designed games into the drills needed to accomplish mastery of them. Each game having rules developed in encouraging proper form, use, and strategy. 

Students have the opportunity to increase in rank measured by a matrix of attendance, mastery of skills, participating in competitions, and helping less experienced students achieve levels of mastery. The ranking structure is as follows:

  • Paige – Rank  for littles under age 10
  • Squire, Class 3,2,1  – Beginners from age 10 on up.
  • Knight, Class 3,2,1 – Seasoned fighters who gain in fundamental Prowess
  • Lancer – Added designation for Knights of any Class who are responsible for teaching Squires.
  • Cavalier 3,2,1 – Fighters who are responsible for training Knights in their duties.
  • Knights Master – Responsible for training Cavaliers and aiding Adult Officers in their training of others. Highest rank a minor student can achieve.
  • Captain – Adult veteran fighter skilled in MSF competition rules who is training Knights.
  • Master Captain – Responsible for helping Captains in their training duties.
  • Commander – Master of training in an individual Club.
  • Master Commander – Responsible for aiding Club Commanders in their duties.
  • Royal Commander – Responsible for a Region

The Amazing

Instructor Team

Nate McBride

Head Instructor

Coach Nate brings a modern athletics programming approach to sword training. With over 6 years of daily sword practice and training experience he is excited to foster a Medieval Sword Club for the modern era based on the rules laid forth by the International Federation of Modern Sword Fighting (IFMSF) in addition to HEMA (Historic European Martial Arts).

Today’s kids need broader sporting outlets that fosters healthy lifestyles in both mind and body. Nate wants to help kids get active in a challenging sport, provide a positive peer group with a common interest, balance the digital world with an achievement based physical one, and reinforce classic western virtues of sportsmanship, honor, and fair play. 

Lisa McBride

Progam Director

With 5 years of sword experience and over 15 years of business management experience, Lisa brings a unique set of skills to our team. Lisa has had several decades of experience motivating kids in numerous volunteer capacities, helping them to improve towards end goals. When she’s not playing mom and coaching she can be found swinging a sword, working out, hiking, studying fitness/diet, and is a licenced Real Estate Agent.

Eric Khuta

Longsword Instructor

 Eric’s passion for HEMA started in college when he saw an exhibition match at a county fair. For the past three years he has pursued the sport, always seeking new challenges to further his knowledge. Now he joins the coaching team at BladeFit where his background in teaching helps him break down the concepts to be understandable by students of any experience level.

Zane

Jr. Coach

Zane has been competing in soft swords for 6 years. He recently placed 2nd in the 1st Annual Soft Combat Sports Youth Invitational.  He competes in stick against adult competitors and is a fierce opponent. He expanding to synthetics and steel currently. He has been on coaching staff for the past 3 years and is a fantastic instructor to the youth.  

Matt Callahn

Saber Instructor

Matt joined the Bladefit community in 2023 and accepted an instructing position in 2024. He has trained and studied multiple disciplines of historical fencing since 2017, beginning with Angelo’s system of Military Saber under Jeff Richardson of Academia Duellatoria where he went on to act as an Assistant Instructor until 2022. He then switched his focus to the Bolognese traditions of 16th century Sidesword, specializing in the treatises of Achille Marozzo and Giovanni dall’Aggochie. Matt teaches privately and continues his own training as an apprentice of Martin Höppner of Schildwache Potsdam as well as being a Free Scholar of Academia da Espada under the guidance of Maestro Ton Puey.

Trent Roth

Jr. Coach

Trent has been competing in soft sword combat for the past four years now and placed 1st in the first annual soft combat sports youth invitational and has been doing HEMA for a year. Outside of swords Trent enjoys playing the banjo and has competed in many mounted archery competitions and is working with BladeFit to bringing combat archery to the youth classes.

Maestro Michael Winderman

Special Workshops Instructor

Michael Winderman apprenticed under Fencing Masters Gary W. Williams and William Gruner.

He was given the title of Maitre en Fait d’Armes (Fencing Master) after passing Master Adjudications from Maestro Williams and Maestro Gruner and passing his final Master’s Adjudication from Maestro F. Braun McAsh in 1998.

He was a Founding Member of the Coeur d’Escrime Fencing Club in Coeur d’Alene Idaho and the EuroAmerican Martial Arts Group in Spokane Washington.

He was also a Charter Member of the International Order of the Sword and Pen and served on its’ Board of Directors for seven years.

His biography has been published FMA: Filipino Martial Arts Masters and Grandmasters by Grand Master Bram Frank

Maestro Winderman has collaborated with Punong Guro (Senior Master) Greg R. Beeman for many years delving into the historical roots of Filipino Martial Arts and their connection to Esgrima, the Original Systems of Fencing from Spain.

Their research has culminated in the creation of a system called Esgrima de Los Cinco Teros, a conceptual art encompassing the Iberian Longsword, Sword and Dagger, Polearms, Phillipino Bolo, Knife, Tactical Firearms, and
Empty Hands.


In Conjunction with that research, Maestro Winderman was given the Rank of Punong Guro(Senior Master) in Itac Arnis by Senior Master Greg Beeman in 2006.

Beside his studies in Classical and Historical Fencing, he has trained in a wide variety of martial art styles including: Panantukan, Futshan Pai Wing Chun Kung Fu, Spotless Budhha Preying Mantis Kung Fu, Krav Maga, Savate, La Canne Vigny, Bowie Knife and Tomahawk, and Traditional Tae Kwon Do.

Currently He is researching and synthesizing his own systems for teaching Tactical Baton and Empty Hands.

HOW YOU CAN FIND US

OUR CONTACTS

7588 Deleware Ln, Vancouver, WA 98664

(360) 207-0252

nathan@bladefitacademy.com