By writing your full name below, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability waiver.

 

Class information

This three-week course introduces students to HEMA and prepares them to join our regular Gemeinfechten (common fencing) classes. You must be 18 years of age or older to participate.

 

Time

This is a three-week course. Each class starts Thursdays at 8pm and is 90 minutes long.  We also have a rapier class that starts at 7pm on Thursday.  You are welcome to drop in to see what it is about.

Let an Instructor know you're new and they'll get you situated.

 

School Location

CKDF holds classes at the Capital Area Budokai, 25 S. Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA. 

The school is located about one mile from the King Street metro.

 

Parking

It's pretty easy find parking on the street - just check the signs to make sure you are in a legal spot.  Park wherever you can find a spot.  They do not tow in the lot.    

Enter the building (the entrance is to the right of Rockland's Bar-be-que).  Turn right when you enter the lobby.  We are the first room to the left in the right hallway.

 

What to Wear

We provide all required gear.  Male students, however, must wear an a protective cup for every class. 

We recommend you bring a water bottle.  The fountains on the main floor don't work.

Please wear comfortable clothes and clean, indoor shoes. We share the space with a Japanese Sword Art school, and we work to keep the floors nice. 

 

Staying in Touch

We invite you join our Facebook Group,  This is where we share information about upcoming events, classes, equipment deals, and other HEMA-related information.  

You can check out our website at www.capitalkdf.org.  HEMA isn't just longsword - we study a plethora of weapons like Scottish broadsword, Iberian montante, and unarmed grappling. Feel free to stop by to observe any of our classes.

 

Equipment

It's very easy to dump a lot of money on the wrong equipment, and it's our mission to find the best equipment for each student. 

The needs of each student differ by student and experience, so we recommend that students avoid rushing to buy gear.  We encourage new students to try out of few of the study areas before settling on equipment. 

Additionally, We have close relationships and knowledge of many HEMA vendors. We periodically do bulk equipment orders through Purpleheart Armoury and Castille Armoury to save students money on shipping.  We provide all the necessary equipment for new students, so it's OK to wait before you buy.  

 

We look forward to seeing you!

 

Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement

(Read Carefully Before Signing)

In consideration of being permitted to participate in any way in the Martial Arts Program indicated below and/or being permitted to enter for any purpose any restricted area (here in defined as any area where in admittance to the general public is prohibited), the adult participant named below agrees, or the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) of the minor participant named below agree:

1. The parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) will instruct the minor participant that prior to participating in the below martial arts activity or event, he or she should inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if he or she believes anything is unsafe, the participant should immediately advise the officials of such condition and refuse to participate. I understand and agreed that, if at any time, I feel anything to be UNSAFE, I will immediately take all precautions to avoid the unsafe area and REFUSE TO PARTICIPATE further.

2. I/WE fully understand and acknowledge that: (a) There are risks and dangers associated with participation in martial arts events and activities which could result in bodily injury, partial and/or total disability, paralysis and death. (b) The social and economic losses and/or damages, which could result from these risks and dangers described above, could be severe. (c) These risks and dangers may be caused by the action, inaction or negligence of the participant or the action, inaction or negligence of others, including, but not limited to, the Releasees named below. (d) There may be other risks not known to us or are not reasonably foreseeable at his time.

3. I/WE accept and assume such risks and responsibility for the losses and/or damages following such injury, disability, paralysis or death, however caused and whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the Releasees named below.

4. I/WE HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the martial arts facility used by the participant , including its owners, managers, promoters, lessees of premises used to conduct the martial arts event or program, premises and event inspectors, underwriters, consultants and others who give recommendations, directions, or instructions to engage in risk evaluation or loss control activities regarding the martial arts facility or events held at such facility and each of them, their directors, officers, agents, employees, all for the purposes herein referred to as “Releasee”...FROM ALL LIABILITY TO THE UNDERSIGNED, my/our personal representatives, assigns, executors, heirs and next to kin FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, LOSSES OR DAMAGES AND ANY CLAIMS OR DEMANDS THEREFORE ON ACCOUNT OF ANY INJURY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE DEATH OF THE PARTICIPANT OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE EVENT(S) CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEE OR OTHERWISE.

5. I/WE HEREBY acknowledge that THE ACTIVITIES OF THE EVENT(S) ARE VERY DANGEROUS and involve the risk of serious injury and/or death and/or property damage. Each of THE UNDERSIGNED also expressly acknowledges that INJURIES RECEIVED MAY BE COMPOUNDED OR INCREASED BY NEGLIGENT RESCUE OPERATIONS OR PROCEDURES OF THE RELEASEES.

6. I/WE give full permission, in perpetuity, for media, including but not limited to audio, photographs, and video, to be taken of me during martial arts program events, and to be used in promotion of the program. I/WE understand that there will be no compensation for such use, and I/WE release all claims to any and all damages resulting from such use.

7. EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED further expressly agrees that the foregoing release, waiver, and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the Province or State in which the event is conducted and that if any portion is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding continue in full legal force and effect.

8. On behalf of the participant and individually, the undersigned partner(s) and/or legal guardian(s) for the minor participant executes this Waiver and Release. If, despite this release, the participant makes a claim against any of the Releasees, the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) will reimburse the Releasee for any money which they have paid to the participant, or on his behalf, and hold them harmless.

9. I expressly waive, release and discharge the HEMA Alliance and any affiliates, officers, employees, representatives, agents, contractors, or volunteers of the above (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims for damages or injuries that I or the participant may sustain as the result of participation in HEMA Alliance activities. I assume all risk for participation in HEMA Alliance activities, and understand that the Released Parties are not responsible for determining a participant’s fitness to participate. 1 Initials indicating I have read page 1 of 2 ______ 1 Release and Waiver of Liability and Indemnity Agreement (Read Carefully Before Signing) Page of 2

10. I understand that the Released Parties have made no representations as to the results of participation in HEMA Alliance activities. I understand further that no representations are being made to me as to the professional qualifications, standards, equipment, or safety associated with participation in HEMA Alliance activities.

11. The responsibility for the assessment of all risks associated with HEMA Alliance activities is mine alone, and any damages of any type due to the failures or negligence of others I also accept as my responsibility alone. I assume all attendant risks regardless of my ability to foresee and/or evaluate those risks. The responsibility to be aware of whether a particular activity is an official activity of the HEMA Alliance is also mine alone. I am aware that this information is available to me online and I know where to retrieve this information. The responsibility to understand the effects and limits of any insurance policies associated with participation in HEMA Alliance activities is also mine alone. I am aware that this information is available to me online and I know where to retrieve this information.

12. I understand that the accident coverage portion of the HEMA Alliance insurance policy is secondary to my personal health insurance and I understand what that means. I understand that the HEMA Alliance accident coverage is also contingent upon my possession of primary coverage through a health insurance policy of my own, and that the HEMA Alliance will not submit a claim if I do not have primary coverage. I understand that I am responsible for any deductible payments associated with HEMA Alliance insurance if a claim is submitted for me. I further understand that the submission of any insurance claim is at the sole discretion of the HEMA Alliance.

13. I understand that the liability coverage portion of the HEMA Alliance insurance policy only covers Individual Members of the HEMA Alliance who are categorized as Staff. It is my responsibility to know whether I fall into this category. I am aware that this information is kept by the Governing Council of the HEMA Alliance and I know how to contact the Governing Council to confirm this information.

14. I agree that this waiver and release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the Province or State in which the activities are conducted and that if any portion is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding continue in full legal force and effect.

15. I understand that while instructors may announce a requirement of certain protective gear for certain activities, the student always has the option and responsibility to add protective gear that the student considers necessary or desirable. I further understand that eye protection and other protective gear are always available for students to borrow, and that it is my responsibility to ask for these.

I HAVE READ THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS, UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE GIVEN UP SUBSTANTIAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND HAVE SIGNED IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT, ASSURANCE, OR GUARANTEE BEING MADE TO ME AND INTEND MY SIGNATURE TO BE COMPLETE AND UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY TO THE GREATEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW.

Martial Arts School: Capital Kunst Des Fechtens (CKDF)

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