Research and Discussion Forums

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Hello all, my name is James Brazas. I'm a grad student living in the VA Beach area and I'm hoping to join an ARMA class/study group.

I've long been fascinated by medieval history, knights, and swordsmanship, but I did not think that anyone still knew their combat styles. Then I found out about ARMA and I must say I am thoroughly impressed.

If there is still a practicing group in Virginia Beach that is willing to add a new student, please let me know!

John Farthing · Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 9:07 am Post subject:

Hello James,

In answer to your query, ARMA Free Scholar, Shane Smith is in the Virginia Beach vicinity. In addition, although I am uncertain how close to you they might be, there is an ARMA Study Group chapter in Northern Virginia (ARMA-NoVA).

Contact information for both can be found here: http://www.thearma.org/Practice/partners.htm
_________________
-John Farthing, Scholar Adept
ARMA Deputy Director

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

I heard about Shane Smith. I hear he's done a lot with ARMA, especially in armored longsword. Does he still teach in the Virginia Beach area? I tried contacting him, but haven't heard anything back yet.

The Northern Virginia group is over 4 hours' drive away from me, unfortunately.

Thanks for the pointers, though!

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

I just sent in a formal application for ARMA and for the Virginia Beach study group in specific. I think that's what I am supposed to do...or am I supposed to apply for membership first and request study group membership afterwards?

Sal Bertucci · Joined: 02 May 2008 Posts: 588 Location: Denver area, CO

PM sent

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

I just started ARMA classes in VA Beach (technically Chesapeake) with James Corcoran.

Apparently, nobody here has heard from Shane Smith in quite some time.

Anyone in the VA Beach area is welcome to join Corcoran and I as our group is rather small right now.

Michael Moulton · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Chesapeake, VA USA

Glad to hear things are going in Tidewater again. I'm in Chesapeake and I've never actually managed to get involved. Maybe it's time I fix that.

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Michael Moulton:

We'd be happy to have you. Usually, it's only two or three of us practicing at the Chesapeake City Park. We'd be happy to have more folks. Right now, we're going over longsword.

Would you like me to PM you with our class times?

- James Brazas

Michael Moulton · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Chesapeake, VA USA

James,

Please do. Busy few weeks coming up so I may not be able to make it right away, but I'm definitely interested.

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

PM sent.

Bronson Conlin · Joined: 30 Oct 2011 Posts: 1 Location: Virginia Beach

Hi all, I am also looking to join Arma and/or a training group in the VA Beach area! Should I be applying for both?

I have been trying to find people in the area for a while now (no luck with Mr. Smith either), and was thrilled to see that there are some folks here after all!

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Yes, I would recommend applying for official ARMA membership.

There's a bit of a backlog of ARMA admissions applications, so it may take couple months to become a full member.

In the mean time, feel free to come out to our training! We'd welcome new members. I just sent you a PM with details regarding our class time, class location, and details regarding our group. Feel free to ask about any additional information you might want.

Ian Van Norman · Joined: 04 Feb 2012 Posts: 2 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

Hello I am very interested in joining ARMA. I have been looking at this site for a while now and I was hoping to find a group to learn/train with. I was wondering if you could give me some idea about what the association is like?

James Brazas · Joined: 25 Jul 2011 Posts: 184 Location: Virginia Beach, VA

What sort of information would you like?

Are you asking about what ARMA does in general or about our group in Virginia Beach?

If you are asking about our group in Virginia Beach, we are still in the application process to become an official ARMA study group. We had a group years ago that was officially an ARMA study group, but the leader retired and the group fell apart.

Now we are a mix of members from the original ARMA Virginia Beach and new swordsmen. We are still waiting to hear from John Clements about whether we will be recognized as an official ARMA group or not.

If you are in the area and you would like to train with us, you are welcome to do so. If you are interested, I can PM you with our practice time and location.

Seth Woods · Joined: 02 Mar 2012 Posts: 1

I live in VA Beach and would like to train with your group.