I've been working on a number of changes to my class set up, and I've been holding off on making any new announcements until everything is sorted out. Now that it's all done, I have a backlog of news to get out!
New Location
Starting in January, Ottawa Classical Swordplay classes will be at the Ottawa Japan Karate Association dojo at 475 Cambridge Street South. It's a big beautiful space with hardwood floors, change rooms, showers, and a viewing lounge, very close to Carling and Bronson. Check out their website at http://www.ottawajka.com
I'm really excited about this move. It is a bigger space, and really suited to swordplay classes. There are a few new policies that come with the space. The first is that we will have an absolutely strict rule that the only shoes permitted will be non-marking, soft-soled, indoor-only shoes. The JKA students train barefoot, and the floor is beautiful. We will not damage it.
Second, out of respect for the traditions of the JKA, all students will bow as they enter or leave the dojo proper. I haven't been asked to do this by the JKA, but it is something I personally feel very strongly about. We are guests in their space, so we should give it the same respect that they do.
New Year's Day Open House
January 1st is the first official day that Ottawa Classical Swordplay is in the dojo. I won't be holding an actual class, but I will be there from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Come by and meet me, try on some armour, see the new space, check out the training swords, and ask me any questions you have about Ottawa Classical Swordplay.
New Schedule
With the new location comes a new schedule as well.
Tuesdays 6:00 -7:30 pm: Renaissance Duelling.
Tuesday night classes focus on the rapier and related weapons from the late 16th and early 17th centuries. January 4th to February 8th is a foundations level course for rapier and dagger. February 1st and 8th are authorization days (see “New Program” below).
Thursdays 6:00 – 7:30 pm: Medieval Combat.
Thursday night classes focus on medieval combat from the 14th and 15th centuries, mostly taken from German manuscripts. The weapons used include sword, longsword, spear, pollaxe, grossemesser, dagger, buckler, and empty hand. In January 6th to February 10th is an open level sword/grossemesser course.
Saturdays 2:00 – 3:30 pm: Medieval Swordplay for Kids and Families.
This class is designed to be accessible both to kids and adults. Most training will be done with padded weapons, and focuses on use of the medieval longsword in two hands as shown in medieval German sources. This is an ongoing program, and novices may join at any time. Students aged eight to adult all welcome. Bring your parents; they want to learn swordplay too! This program begins on January 8th, but there is no class on January 22nd (see “Road Trip” below).
Saturdays 3:30 -5:00 pm : Medieval Swordplay for Adults.
This class exclusively focuses on the use of the longsword in two hands as shown in medieval German manuscripts. This program begins on January 8th, but there is no class on January 22nd (see “Road Trip” below). January 8th to February 19th is a foundations course. February 12th and 19th are authorization days.
New Program
In addition to six-week courses, Ottawa Classical swordplay will once again be offering an ongoing program. The courses are integrated into the program, and there will always be at least one foundations level course available. Foundations courses are important for all students, but especially geared towards getting novices started, with more focus on basic skills and less freeplay. Foundations courses will always include at least one “authorization day,” where novices can demonstrate that they can join open freeplay safely.
There will also be open courses, which anyone can join, and open classes. The only difference between the two is that open courses will be a set six-week course on a particular subject, where an open class can cover anything within the program curriculum. Every open course/class will include a set time dedicated to freeplay for those who have passed an authorization. On the whole, this means that there will be more classes with freeplay!
New Competition
This year we will be implementing a new competition. Each participant will achieve a rank in each program based on freeplay, and be able to challenge those who are above them in the rankings. At the end of the year, the highest ranked participants will be given prizes. More details will be available soon.
New membership options
In an effort to make my program schedule work for more people, I am offering more ways to sign up. You can still sign up on a course by course basis, but there are lots of other options.
Course membership: $80
With a course membership, you can come to all of the classes for a specific six-week course.
Punch cards.
Instead of paying by the course, you can purchase a punch card and get access to any class you want, on your own schedule. You have a few options for how many classes you purchase on your card. Present your card at each class and we will punch one class use. All punch cards are valid for one year from the date of issue, and are non-transferable.
Three class trial card: $25
This trial card is a special offer only available to new members, one per customer. You can try up to three classes at a discounted rate. Try a few classes, and see what you like.
Six class drop-in card: $100
Twenty class drop-in card: $250
Want to take a few courses, but can only make it to some of the classes? Want to try all of our programs but have an erratic schedule? If you buy one of these punch cards, you only pay for the classes that you actually attend.
Annual program membership: $500
Program memberships allow you to take all the classes in a specific program for a year. If you can come every week, but only to one class, this is the best deal for you. Valid for one year from the date of issue.
Annual general membership: $1000
Like the annual program membership, but this gets you in to every class available for a year. This is for the truly hardcore. Valid for one year from date of issue.
Road Trip!
On February 22nd and 23rd, I will be in Maryland at a historical European martial arts conference called Longpoint. This is a pretty big event, and I willll be showcasing my interpretation of RA manuscript I.33 “The Clerus Lutegerus Fechtbuch” to an international audience. Normally I would have my main assistant instructor John fill in for me here, but he will be busy helping with the demo! So there will be no class on Saturday, January 22.
However, if anyone else wants to make the trip, there is a great line up of instructors at Longpoint! Check here for details: http://fightlongpoint.com/
Whew!
As you can see, things are continuing to grow. I've got even more in the works, but I think that this update has been long enough. Best wishes to all for the holidays, and I hope to see everyone in the new year!
