Local martial arts group gives life to history
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REXBURG — In Rexburg, weapons enthusiasts and history buffs unite in a world where the clash of steel and the echo of ancient techniques still exist.
Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or a curious beginner, the Rexburg HEMA Guild is ready to welcome you.
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. These are the fighting styles of European regions and countries of old. Usually associated with long swords, HEMA also covers other weapons, like daggers and staffs. It can also include grappling (wrestling).
There are a number of different cultures with similar martial arts systems, according to Kyle Daly of Rexburg, who started the Rexburg HEMA Guild. Now, he manages the group with the help of Lucas and Cassie Wanlass.
“We specifically practice the German system of martial arts, called Kunst des Fechtens,” Daly tells EastIdahoNews.com. “Think of it of (like) judo or kung fu or Hung Gar. … It’s all under HEMA, technically, but are separate systems, and they have their own unique styles and vocabulary.”
Whatever else it is, HEMA, the three passionately agree, is not LARPing.
“I don’t think LARPing gives you bruises,” Cassie says, laughing.
LARP — live action role-playing — is a fantasy game. Participants dress in costume, use props and act out roles. While some members of the HEMA guild may dress up occasionally, no one is playing a character, says Daly. And the blows are real.
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“We may dress up in the traditional garb … but it’s like how you dress up in your judo gi,” he says. IT helps him get into the right mindset, Daly says.
“When you have armor on, like you’re supposed to, you finish your blows,” Cassie says. “Like, you actually hit them.”
“HEMA is actual techniques,” Lucas adds. “These are the real fighting techniques that medieval armies would use against each other — and have used against each other — to wage war for thousands of years.”
Daly, Lucas and Connie hope to keep the group growing, even after they leave Rexburg. That’s why the trio is working on getting the guild financially stable.
“Really, the only thing that is running (the club) is just our passion for it,” Lucas says.
Daly is finishing the steps to have the Rexburg HEMA Guild certified as a 501c3. They also have plans to find sponsors, they said, but that’s still a little ways off.
Something else they feel passionate about is making everyone feel comfortable to join the fun.
HEMA can be intimidating and scary to learn. In addition to the weapons — some metal, some not — there’s a lot of history attached to the sport. Those who are curious about martial arts or want to learn combat skills may feel left out or “shunned” by the history buffs.
“A lot of people who put out (video) content comment on the snobbery surrounding the sport,” Lucas says.
“I think we’ve been addressing it pretty well,” Daly says of this challenge. “We’ve never turned anyone away, we’re very friendly and accepting. … I’ve never seen such a social, warm group of people that also — you know — punch and throw each other, and hit each other with swords.”
Lucas and Cassie can attest to this. They met in the HEMA club and recently wed.
The guild has grown from just a few college students to over a dozen people. Daly thinks it has begun to bring the community together. Rexburg residents are joining in. Families see them sparring in the park and stop to let the kids watch.
Whatever the future brings for the Rexburg HEMA Guild, the goal is for people who love history and think swords are cool to connect and continue building a feeling of community into the sport.
“We at least want people to know … that this hobby is here. It’s not something that’s isolated,” Lucas says.
The Rexburg HEMA Guild meets on Wednesdays and Saturdays at Porter Park in Rexburg (just look for the signs — and the swords). When the winter weather gets too cold, sparring and practices will move to the Madison Jr. High gym at 134 Madison Avenue. Everyone is welcome.
Watch a video about HEMA produced by Lucas Wanlass in the viewer below.