Welcome
Sword School Wichita is a traditional Italian fencing school located in Wichita, KS.
We teach the three typical fencing weapons of foil, spada (épée) and sabre, as well as late 17th-19th century spada, and Radaellian sabre.
Please visit and like our page on Facebook.
Recent Updates and Announcements
Please be advised that due to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases, and the unchanged physical distancing requirements of Parks and Recreation, which mandate 6 feet between class participants *at all times*, we have made the decision to cancel both beginner and intermediate classes for the fall session.
Hopefully, we'll be in better shape by the start of winter session, and can restart classes then.
For existing students, if you would like lessons by appointment, or to explore the possibility of outdoor Saturday morning or afternoon classes (especially as the weather starts to cool off) in a local park (where we can keep masks on under our fencing masks, and at least not be trapped inside with recirculated air with a bunch of other people) I'd be glad to discuss this.
I'll send this out to people whom I have addresses for via email as well.
Chris
melbfensoc.com
Introduction When recreating a fencing system as recorded in a historical treatise or manual, due consideration is needed when selecting the training tools used for such an undertaking. If these to...161 years ago yesterday:On this day in 1859, the Battle of Solferino and San Martino was fought between the Kingdom of Sardinia (along with their French Allies), and the Austrians, as part of a short campaign that ended with the Italians kicking the Austrians out of Lombardy.
It is a notable battle because its brutality and treatment of the wounded inspired the first Geneva Convention and the founding of the International Red Cross, and also because Maestro Giuseppe Radaelli (as a volunteer) and then-Lt. Settimo Del Frate participated in the battle (at San Martino) as part of the 2nd Squadron of the Cavalleggeri di Monferrato, under the command of Radaelli's patron and fencing student Capt. Cav. Gerolamo Avogadro. Radaelli received a commendation for resolute and courageous behavior throughout the day.
On Covering, or, the Difficulty in Hitting and not being Hit
saladellatrespade.com
PART I For a while now, I’ve been working hard on an issue we talk about all the time, but which we struggle to manifest: coverage. How to hit and not be hit. For historical fencers thi...Based on the Parks and Rec guidelines for social/physical distancing, consultations with other fencing instructors, and fencers with medical training, I've decided to cancel the summer Parks and Rec classes.
A 6 foot distancing rule doesn't mean 6 feet except for each and every time we lunge at our opponent and end up inside 6 feet, while also exhaling on the lunge.
I can't think of a way to run a true beginner class that would be safe, effective, fun, and worth the money under that condition.
We are leaving the Fall session classes on the schedule, and will reassess based on how this situation is playing out closer to the start of fall session, which is usually just after Labor Day.
As always, individual lessons are still be available by appointment. I'm less concerned when we can be outdoors and cross-wind, rather than in a fairly small room with recycled air and with loaner equipment being stored in fairly close quarters.
If any of you want a copy of the book our syllabus is keyed to, Luigi Barbasetti's "The Art of the Foil" is easily available on both amazon and abebooks - you shouldn't pay more than $5-10 for a copy of the 1998 reprint.
www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?bsi=0&kn=luigi%20barbasetti&sortby=17&prevpage=2
or
www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0760709432/ref=tmm_hrd_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=158...
Barbasetti's Sabre and Epee book is also now available in what appears to be a POD scanned reprint, which is better than nothing. Barbasetti's 1936 English language sabre book is his own translation of his earlier 1899 German language book, and reuses the photos from that edition. His sabre method is Radaellian in nature, but not quite the pure Radaellian sabre of Del Frate's books. Still, it is well worth having a copy:
www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/3964010057/ref=tmm_pap_new_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=15866...
www.abebooks.com
The art of the foil by Barbasetti, Luigi and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com.I knew if I waited long enough, someone would make the sort of video that I want to see, but am too lazy to make. Thanks, Patrick!
A chunk of video of sabre drills with intermediate fencers who are just starting sabre - lots of good stuff, but also lots to work on. We might as well savor this, as the 'rona is likely to keep us out of the Sala for a while.
www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSNVmPu5MEXxMM2uPjTg1hwyBuruKwpSK