Well,the first annual ARMA Intl. event in New York State has come and gone and I would say I'm left speechless if it weren't for the abundance of words to follow <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> The far-ranging scope and quality of instruction and activities as well as the comraderie embodied by all present was TREMENDOUS! Man I'm proud to be a part of any group that includes you guys! Whether it's Tim and Jake teaching us all a lesson in freeplay publicly,or Stew and I exchanging ideas and blows in our private bouting,the martial mindset and sense of brotherhood was ever-present in my mind...A true gathering of warriors and friends indeed ...
For those of you not there,a brief overview follows;
Fellow ARMA Scholar Bart Walczak flew in and shared his insights into the "Codex Wallerstein" and much else besides.His presentation was of very high quality and his knowledge and scholarship is of staggering quality and breadth.Bart offered many different presentations over the course of the weekend and all were both informative and well done indeed <img src="/forum/images/icons/smile.gif" alt="" />
Our friends from "Ochs", Hans and Alex(honorary ARMA members <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ), flew in from Europe to share with us their work and insights as pertains to the work of Liechtenauer.Their Instruction in the use of both the longsword and the langen messer was of such high quality that any accolades I could apply would fall short of the mark.My own understanding of Liechtenauers art has grown by a quanum leap. Thanks guys! <img src="/forum/images/icons/grin.gif" alt="" />
Milan Petricevic drove in from Canada to be with us.Rarely have I seen a speaker and Instructor with such an ability to hold an audience's attention while both entertaining and informing them.His insights into the gradual degradation/decline demonstrated in some sport fencing arena's was absolutely startling in it's content.Watching the interplay between him and John at the lecture was a rare and intellectually stimulating treat. His words and instruction were an absolute eye-opener for all who witnessed them by all accounts.What a thought-provoking and insightful guy!
Swordsmith Dan Maragni gave an incredible blade forging demo and the skill he exhibited was inspirational.His lecture/slide show on swords through the ages was fascinating to me.
Swordsmith Daniel Watson of Angel Sword provided both blades and targets for test-cutting at the event.His own blades proved to be good cutters on the grass matts we had on hand.
Matt Larsen and his partner put on an absolutely POWERFUL demonstration consisting of military combatives.The poise and professional manner of these guys was only exceeded by the shear utility and effectiveness of their teaching and technique. Our troops in the field are being well-prepared by Matt and his curriculum in my opinion(which I'm sure is shared by the United States' potential enemies <img src="/forum/images/icons/wink.gif" alt="" /> ).
Gene Tausk taught an informative and practical primer on combat break-fall and recovery techniques .Gene did a thorough job of covering the basics of this important,yet often over-looked aspect of the martial arts.Gene also conducted an excellent lecture focused upon the legal concerns facing practicing Swordsmen in modern day.Good stuff!
John Clements was of course,solid gold in his presentations by all accounts as expected.As the quality of his work is well known,I need not say more.
ARMA Virginia Beach put on a brief presentation of historically-accurate armored fighting based on the source texts at their disposal.
Enough about my thoughts...What say YOU my fellow Swordsmen and Scholars?
