Beyond Olympic fencing: HEMA & other swordplay in Texas
Olympic fencing isn't the only way to pick up a sword. Texas also has HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts, real techniques reconstructed from medieval and Renaissance fight manuals), historical rapier schools, Viking living-history groups and Japanese sword arts. Different gear, different rules, same joy of the blade, and most of these groups welcome complete beginners.
All For One Fencing
A Houston-area historical rapier school in the spirit of the Three Musketeers. Students learn period rapier fencing from the ground up, spar regularly, and compete at HEMA tournaments around the country.
ARMA Houston North Siders
The Houston study group of the Association for Renaissance Martial Arts, reconstructing how medieval and Renaissance masters actually fought, longsword, sword and buckler, dagger and more, straight from the historical manuals.
Golden Triangle Sword Arts, Beaumont
A friendly Golden Triangle HEMA group that meets outdoors in Roger's Park to study and spar with the European longsword. Beginners welcome, just show up.
Golden Triangle Sword Arts, Port Neches
The same Golden Triangle crew's Saturday-morning katana practice on the Port Neches riverfront, Japanese sword work in the park, open to newcomers.
East Texas Vikings
A Viking living-history and combat group in the Humble/Kingwood area, period swords, shields and armor, reenactment fighting and 9th-11th century crafts. Ask at area HEMA meetups or reenactment events to connect with them.
Bay Area Center, Aikido & Sword Arts
A Dickinson dojo whose Aikido curriculum includes traditional Japanese weapons, the wooden sword (bokken), staff (jo) and dagger (tanto), taught alongside open-hand practice.