Fightcamp 2009. Part 1: lessons and thank you's

I have recently arrived home after a weekend of training. The 6th annual FightCamp is currently winding to a halt, the events officially finished yesterday, but there has been socialising and people sleeping on site. Alas, I heeded the psiren call of hot water and soft fluffy pillows and was back yesterday. This may was probably for the best. The bar was lovingly stocked with 3 casks of really nice beers for the first two nights, we drank it dry. Then the bar was restocked with Black Sheep and Adnams. There was no Black Sheep left. My outside is bruised and I don't think my liver could handle any more violence.

Now, Fightcamp more-or-less marks my anniversary in HEMA. I started a few weeks before the last one and I believe it has shaped my vision of the international scene. This year has moved to a new venue, which increased the cost of the 4 days of camping and 3 days of events by 100%. I must say, it's the best £20 I've spent in a long time. In fact, the last event I attended that was this packed, interesting and cheap it was held by the Scouts- and they have a phenomenal amount of funding and facilities compared to us.

Firstly, I should thank Jim and his staff. They were all great. If you need something HEMA based and don't know where to look. Start with the Grange (http://shop.suspensionofdisbelief.co.uk/hema)- the prices are low and the service is brilliant. There were times when you looked at Jim and saw his 10 year old self looking back and thinking "this is sooo cooool". I like Jim.

The next on the list to thank would be Matt Easton and his charming fiancée, Lucy. I can't imagine how tiring and complex organising something like this would be. Still, they managed it without apparently breaking a sweat, although Matt's Godlike powers obviously stop before weather control. His collection of marshals dealt with any problems in a swift and discreet manner, allowing us to get on with the important things in life, like fighting and drinking. Hats off to all involved there- your dedication and insight makes FightCamp the enjoyable event it is.

And finally, thanks to everyone that took part. My partners during lessons were great and I did not have an unenjoyable bout. There were similar grins from the attending Saturday Scrappers. Despite the trecherous ground and some very intense fighting (Sparks flew. Literally), there were few injuries that and seemed to be fingers. Which justifies my preference for complex hilted weapons.

There are two main parts of FightCamp (three if you count the socialising)- Fighting and learning. I decided it would be more productive to learn... well, actually the lessons were so good that I didn't really have the energy to spar. I could have done some sparring today, but everyone was either being careful due to the main tournament or feeling delicate after some enthusiastic socialising.

The highlight of the lessons was (unsurprisingly) Mr Marwood's Bartitsu class. It was engaging, enjoyable and principle based. His teaching style is fantastic, he explains a principle and moves that use the principle and tells you to play with those ideas. (Described by one of the Saturday Scrappers as "here's 100 ways to cause intense pain.. have fun trying them out"). Although there were constant warnings to be careful, and it's obvious why they were needed- even at 1/4 speed there were times when you'd accidentally find your partner on the ground and you have no idea how it happened.

Those of you familiar with Neverwhere will know Mr Croup and Mr Vandemaar, in particular the scene where they are instructing Richard on the force needed to cause pain... well, imagine that scene with a one better dressed person replacing the two. Although, generally lovely, Marwood gives the impression that he would (if provoked) pull your arm off and use it to give you a practical demonstration of force multipliers and why it's better to use the end with the hand rather than the bloody stump.

Everyone I spoke to who took Mr Marwood's lesson on close combat gun use was enthusing about that.

I would like to expand on Mr Stillwell's Gatka instruction but all I got from the Scrapper that attended his lesson was "that's cool. We should get him down for one of our sessions." My dear brother would certainly agree, since Gatka has been interesting him for a while.

My honourable maestro held two classes that went down well, despite a few teething problems with one of the first lessons of the weekend, I believe I've mentioned his style and strengths before so I won't waste valuable space here. This is a mere fraction of the events, there is a lot more to say, but for now I shall just say:

Bloody hell, that was a fantastic weekend.