To arms! Charlottetown men launch sword school

Two Charlottetown men have plans to take people back to their childhood fantasies of medieval sword fights, and get them some exercise along the way.

The P.E.I. Sword School, founded by Luke Arbuckle and Miles Kinnee, will provide lessons in the martial arts of knights in shining armour.

While the school will use the replicas of the long, heavy swords used by knights, it will take a pass on the shining armour. Instead, the protective gear will be of a more modern variety: padded jackets, masks and gloves.

Schools across the continent

Arbuckle told CBC News historical European martial arts (HEMA) is a growing sport. There are dozens of schools in North America, but just two in the Maritimes, both in Nova Scotia.

He believes the sport is popular partly because it helps people relive their childhood.

"I grew up sword fighting as a kid, so it appeals to that inner child," Arbuckle said.

"I used to just swing a sword around but now I know the names and why I'm swinging a sword around. It really hits home for me and, I think, a lot of other people."

A real workout

But the sport is more than just nostalgia, he said.

"Soon after I started really working on conditioning and the sport itself, I realized that it's a great way to get your exercise," he said.

Arbuckle has been studying HEMA for the past three years, and he and Kinnee spent four or five days a week this past winter coming up with the course.

The first class is scheduled for May 29 at the Murphy Centre, and is open to men, women and families.

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