# BladeFit Academy

> BladeFit Academy teaches Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), swordsmanship, movement, and fitness to youth and adults in Vancouver, Washington.

BladeFit Academy is a Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) school in Vancouver, Washington, teaching longsword, saber, smallsword, single stick, and youth soft-sword programs. Every BladeFit Academy program uses the same trial policy: a one-time $5 paid trial class. Loaner gear is provided for the trial, so nothing needs to be purchased in advance.

- Website: https://bladefitacademy.com
- Apparel shop: https://bladefit.shop (BladeFit Shop is the academy's own online apparel and uniform store; it sells BladeFit branded apparel and youth rank uniforms and is operated by BladeFit Academy. Class registration does not happen there.)
- Address: 7588 Delaware Lane, Vancouver, WA 98684
- Some youth classes meet outdoors at Leroy Haagen Memorial Park, Vancouver, WA
- Phone: (360) 207-0252
- Email: lisa@bladefitacademy.com
- Time zone: America/Los_Angeles
- Sitemap: https://bladefitacademy.com/sitemap.xml
- AI class catalog (JSON): https://bladefitacademy.com/ai/classes.json
- AI event feed (JSON): https://bladefitacademy.com/ai/events.json
- Content last updated: 2026-07-30

## Key facts

- Youth programs: ages 6–18. The youngest program is Cubs Club (ages 6–10).
- Adult programs: ages 18 and up.
- Trial policy: $5 one-time paid trial class for every program, youth and adult alike. This is a paid trial, not a free trial. Loaner gear is provided.
- Memberships: monthly and quarterly individual and family plans, plus class punch cards. See https://bladefitacademy.com/memberships.
- Footwear: indoor athletic shoes are required in the salle. Bare feet are not permitted at any age.
- Recurring weekly classes are listed on the schedule page; one-time tournaments and workshops are listed on the events page.

## Main pages

- [Home](/): Overview of youth and adult sword-training programs.
- [Youth Programs](/programs/youth): Age-based youth classes, ages 6–18.
- [Adult Programs](/programs/adult): Adult HEMA — longsword, saber, smallsword, single stick.
- [Schedule](/schedule): Recurring weekly class days and times.
- [Memberships and Pricing](/memberships): Membership tiers, punch cards, pricing.
- [Trial Class](/trial): Book the $5 paid trial class.
- [Coaches](/coaches): The instructor team (Nathan McBride, Lisa McBride, Eric Kuhta, Draco Hinman, Zane McBride, Daniel Spurlock, Michael Winderman).
- [Events](/events): Upcoming events with confirmed dates, planned events whose dates are still to be announced, and a past-events archive.
- [FAQ](/faq): Ages, gear, safety, pricing, and what to expect.
- [Gear Guide](/gear): Required and recommended equipment.
- [Contact](/contact): Location, phone, email, and contact form.

## Classes

- [Cubs Club](/classes/cubs-club): Ages 6–10 — Fridays 6:00 PM @ Leroy Haagen Park — Currently running.
- [Youth Soft Sword](/classes/youth-soft-sword): Ages 11–18 — Mondays 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM — Currently running.
- [BladeFit Games](/classes/bladefit-games): Ages 11–18 — Returns for the 2027 outdoor season — Not currently running — Returns for the 2027 outdoor season.
- [Youth Mixed Stick Fighting](/classes/youth-mixed-stick): Ages 14–18 — return date to be announced — Not currently running — return date to be announced.
- [Youth Longsword](/classes/youth-longsword): Ages 14–18 — return date to be announced — Not currently running — return date to be announced.
- [Beginner Longsword](/classes/beginner-longsword): Ages 18+ — Mondays 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Currently running.
- [Intermediate Longsword](/classes/intermediate-longsword): Ages 18+ — Mondays 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Currently running.
- [Military Saber](/classes/military-saber): Adults 18+ — Thursdays 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM — Currently running.
- [Rapier](/classes/rapier): Adults 18+ — Starts October 2026 · Thursdays 7:00–9:00 PM — Not currently running — Starts October 2026 · Thursdays 7:00–9:00 PM.
- [Smallsword](/classes/smallsword): Adults 18+ — Schedule to be announced — Not currently running.
- [Stick & Targe](/classes/stick-and-targe): Ages 18+ — Schedule to be announced — Not currently running.
- [Beginner Single Stick](/classes/beginner-single-stick): Adults 18+ — Thursdays 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM (joint with Military Saber) — Currently running.
- [Adult Soft Combat](/classes/adult-soft-combat): Adults 18+ — Schedule to be announced — Not currently running.

## Gear guides

- [Uniforms](/gear/uniforms): Rank-based uniform tees for Youth Soft Sword students.
- [Helmets](/gear/helmets): Fencing masks and back-of-head protection for every discipline.
- [Jackets & Chest Protection](/gear/jackets): Fencing jackets, plastrons, and chest protectors by discipline.
- [Longswords & Training Swords](/gear/longswords): Shinai, feders, and training swords for longsword classes.
- [Swords & Shields](/gear/youth-swords-shields): Age-appropriate soft swords, sabers, and shields for Youth Soft Sword.
- [Sticks & Shields](/gear/sticks-and-shields): Rattan sticks, targes, and shields for stick-based classes.
- [Gloves](/gear/gloves): Heavy sparring gloves and hand protection for saber and longsword.
- [Gorgets](/gear/gorgets): Throat protection for saber and steel weapon sparring.
- [Elbow & Arm Protection](/gear/elbow-protection): Forearm guards and elbow pads for stick and saber sparring.
- [Knee & Shin Protection](/gear/knee-shin-protection): Hard knee and shin pads for stick fighting and contact sparring.
- [Groin Protection](/gear/groin-protection): Mandatory groin protection for stick fighting and contact sparring.

## Policies

- [Adult Policies](/policies/adult): Policies for adult students.
- [Youth Policies](/policies/youth): Policies for youth students and parents.
- [Payment Policy](/policies/payment): Recurring billing and cancellation terms.
- [Etiquette Policy](/policies/etiquette): Code of conduct and salle etiquette.

## Agent capabilities

This site exposes read-only WebMCP tools in the page via `navigator.modelContext` for browser-based agents: get_academy_information, get_contact_information, get_location_information, list_programs, get_program, search_classes, get_class, get_current_schedule, get_membership_options, get_trial_information, list_upcoming_events, get_event, get_coach_information, get_gear_requirements, get_policies, get_faq, navigate_site, and fill_contact_form (on /contact). They expose published marketing information only — no student, parent, payment, attendance, membership-account, waiver, or medical data, and no editing capability.

A public remote MCP server (Streamable HTTP, no authentication required) is available at https://apmwtpoymcokjdqlrbjj.supabase.co/functions/v1/mcp. It exposes the same read-only public data as the in-page tools: get_academy_information, list_programs, search_classes, get_class, get_current_schedule, get_membership_options, get_trial_information, list_events, get_gear_requirements, get_faq, get_coach_information, and get_policies.

Agents that cannot execute in-page tools or connect over MCP should read https://bladefitacademy.com/ai/classes.json and https://bladefitacademy.com/ai/events.json, which carry the same data and are regenerated from the site's own class, event, and membership data on every build.

## Optional

- FAQ: What age can my child start training? Our Cubs Club accepts students from age 6. We have age-appropriate programs all the way through age 18 — Cubs Club (ages 6–10), Youth Soft Sword and BladeFit Games (ages 11–18), and Youth Mixed Stick Fighting and Youth Longsword (ages 14–18). Adults 18+ can join at any age.
- FAQ: Do I need prior martial arts experience? Not at all! All of our programs are designed for beginners. We'll teach you everything you need to know from day one.
- FAQ: What should I wear to my first class? Comfortable athletic clothing is all you need. Indoor athletic shoes are recommended for all students. All training equipment is provided for your first class.
- FAQ: How do I sign up for a trial class? Visit our Trial Class page and select whether you're signing up for a youth or adult class. The trial is $5 for every program, including Cubs Club, and loaner gear is provided. You can also contact us directly and we'll help you find the right class.
- FAQ: What equipment do I need? For your first class, nothing — we provide everything. As you continue training, you'll need a fencing mask and gloves at minimum. Check our Gear page for recommended equipment, or ask your instructor.
- FAQ: How much do classes cost? Individual memberships start at $80/month for one class per week and $100/month for two. Family plans, quarterly plans, and punch cards are also available — see the Memberships page for the full list. Every program uses the same trial policy: a one-time $5 trial class, with loaner gear included.
- FAQ: What is HEMA? HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. It's the study and practice of European fighting systems from historical sources, including longsword, saber, smallsword, and many other weapons. It's a real martial art with a rich 600+ year history.
- FAQ: Is sword fighting dangerous? Safety is our top priority. We use appropriate protective gear and carefully structured training progressions. Youth classes use foam and padded weapons. Adult classes follow strict safety protocols for sparring.