A Midsummer Fight's Dream is back for it's fifth edition! This is a tournament aimed at those less familiar or experienced with the HEMA tournament scene that want a low-stress, moderate-intensity place to explore tournaments. We will be having a social afterwards to heal tired bodies and minds. Given recent events to make this explicitly clear - this is a trans and non-binary inclusive event. If that's something you have an issue with, this isn't the event for you.
To continue our experimental streak this year we'll be turning the focus to the dusack! As this is a less commonly practiced weapon there will be an optional introductory workshop (focused on it's effective use) in the morning, followed by a choice of free-sparring or a dusack tournament in the afternoon.
The tournaments on offer will be:
- Beginner's Open Dusack
- Underrepresented Genders (women/non-binary/trans) Dusack
- Bar Brawl (small team melee event)
What do we mean by beginner? If you have won a medal at a HEMA scorecard registered event using any weapon you may not enter the tournament. You certainly are welcome to either attend the open sparring, the workshop or volunteer!
N.B. The URG tournaments are NOT beginner only - we think it's important that people that want to enter these tournaments have every opportunity to do so.
The tournament tickets entitles you to enter any relevant tournaments if there is space (schedules will not conflict), plus the introductory workshop and the brawl. The sparring tickets also includes attendance of the workshop.
All fencers participate at their own risk. Furthermore it is a condition of competing that you have insurance to cover personal liability (if you're a member of a HEMA club you likely have this but please check). If you're insured by the BMABA we are a recognised event under them so your insurance is valid.
The rules are available
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kK7-sB6C1ajKaNQd-oBg9659wKCWCQyooVUEh850JUc/edit?usp=sharing . In general they are close to the Wessex League rules with one addition - this is a moderate-intensity tournament, and thus suitable control and intensity is expected in all bouts.
For those participating in the open sparring you must provide your own protective gear and training weapons.
Equipment: For all tournaments you will need to provide your own protective gear. Synthetic/wood-leather dusacks will be provided, but if you have your own you're more than welcome to bring them. For the brawl dusacks will be provided, but please bring synthetic and/or rubber weapons you might wish to use.
For all tournaments the minimum gear is:
- CEN1 mask and overlay (with rigid protection on the back of the head)
- a gorget with a rigid throat covering
- 350N jacket
- rigid protection on forearms, elbows, knees and shins
- A groin protector for those with something to protect
- A rigid chest protector for those with something to protect
- Appropriate gloves (red dragon should be considered the minimum acceptable)
- There must be no exposed skin
For the brawl, Red Dragons or Lacrosse gloves are fine. Any questions please contact
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Also check out other Sports events in Abingdon, Workshops in Abingdon.
