Image: Trojanerkrieg - Willehalm von Orlens - Herzog Ernst 1441 http://dlib.gnm.de/item/Hs998/11/html

Update: Due to the impact of the omicron variant on COVID-19 transmission rates in the DC region, we have posponed this class until February 2022. Normal CKDF classes are also suspended at this time, so if you would like to spectate a class prior to the intro course, please email us ahead of time to make sure class is being held. We apologize for any inconvience and will see you in Februrary!  

Welcome!

Before purchasing a ticket, review our waiver which includes important COVID-19/coronavirus-related information. https://ckdf.tidyhq.com/public/pages/ckdf-liability-waiver

Capital Kunst des Fechtens offers periodic introduction courses for prospective club members. Our club is dedicated to providing and maintaining a safe training space for Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). All are welcome, and we do not tolerate discrimination based upon gender, gender identity and expression, race, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or national origin, ethnicity, age, or religion. If you are interested in reconstructing medieval martial arts, historical swordplay, or modern HEMA competition, then our club is for you.

This course consists of three classes meeting first on the date above, and then each Thursday for two weeks thereafter. This course focuses on the unarmored use of the medieval sword (longsword) in the German tradition to give attendees an idea of what to expect as members of CKDF.

If you are interested in attending this three-week intro course, review the information below prior to purchasing a ticket.  

COVID-19 Rules

Before purchasing a ticket, review our waiver which includes important COVID-19/coronavirus-related information. https://ckdf.tidyhq.com/public/pages/ckdf-liability-waiver.

Classes are held outdoors and are limited to 16 students total. 

1. You shall not attend class if:

• Within the two weeks prior to class, you have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, including:

  • A fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or a sense of having a fever.

  • A new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition.

  • New shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition.

  • New chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition.

  • A new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition.

  • New muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity (such as physical exercise).

• You have taken a COVID-19 test and are awaiting results or have tested positive.

2. If you have symptoms of or have tested positive for COVID-19, you shall follow appropriate guidelines for quarantine or isolation. Persons with symptoms should stay home until CDC criteria for ending isolation have been met. Relevant CDC guidelines include:

• What to Do If You Are Sick

• When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19 

3. Vaccine Policy. Only persons who can produce their vaccination card or a copy of it may participate in class. We will check vaccination cards prior to each class, so please bring a digital or hardcopy of your card, or the original, to class with you or else you will not be able to participate in that class. Please reach out if you will require a waiver of the vaccination requirement - we are eager to make all reasonable accommodations and will keep your information confidential.

4. Mask Policy (updated). Class participants are required to retain a mask on their person at all times during class and don their mask upon request of their training partner. You may opt out of wearing a mask in all other circumstances during class, but please be ready to honor the request of a training partner to mask up. As prevailing covid transmission rates change, we will revisit our mask policy but hope that transmission remains low in our region. We tie our decisions to CDC data: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

Location & Directions

Class is held on the outdoor courts at the Nannie Lee Recreation Center at 1108 Jefferson St, Alexandria, VA. The basketball and tennis courts are behind the rec center; walk through the parking lot around behind the building to locate the venue. When you see people with blue CKDF shirts and swords, you have found the right place and should approach them beacuse they're friendly.

At this time, no restroom facilities or running water is available because the Nannie Lee Center is closed to the public due to the pandemic. Please bring water and plan accordingly - we apologize for any inconvenience.

In case of rain, class will be postponed until the following week. We will endeavor to email the group in case of cancellation ahead of time.

Attire, What to Expect, Etc.

This course is for novices - you do not need to be in shape, know any martial arts, or have any knowledge of historical fencing experience whatsoever. To get the most out of this course, all you need is a positive attitude and an open mind!

The intro class runs concurrently with our Kunst des Fechtens class. Instructors will draw your group to the side for instruction and will provide loaner training swords, fencing masks, and gloves as necessary.

Please wear comfortable athletic attire that is appropriate to the prevailing weather conditions, dressing in layers to deal with windchill. We recommend a warm base layer of long underwear, hat, tennis shoes, athletic shorts/leggings/pants, and hoodie/jacket. Please do not forget a water bottle as there is no running water currently available on site.