FightCamp 2011 - 19-21 August

[Dangermouse]

On the subject of the tournament I would like to say a huge thank you to all of the organisers, officials and combatants that made this such an awesome spectacle to watch!

I have to say that the conduct with which the fighters conducted themselves deserves nothing but the utmost respect. It was great to see people acknowledging hits even when they were not seen by the judges. Sportsmanship at its best. The fighting looked great as well! So nice to see such good technique - looks like the days of glorified stick fighting are firmly set in the past.

I know that judging is pretty much a thankless task and nobody is infallible but I think the judging was very well conducted and the best fighters won on the day. All made for a very professional competition.

It was a shame that so many decent fighters went out of the Backsword Tournament so early on on account of the Double Kill/Hit rule. However, kudos to whoever decided to implement the "Afterblow" rule. Made more a much more balanced competition.

Congrats also to Martin and Youval who I think were responsible for the computer program that projected the fighters on to the wall. Nice idea. Looked great

I love the way these competitions are going. Keep up the good work chaps

[KeithFarrell]

Ben Kerr has posted a review of the event on Encased in Steel, the weekly blog for the Academy of Historical Arts. A brief review by myself and another by Alex Bourdas are also included at the end of Ben's writings.

http://www.historical-academy.co.uk/blog/2011/08/23/fightcamp-review-by-the-academy-of-historical-arts-attendees/

[admin]

Many thanks guys, I really enjoyed reading these reviews and they contain very useful feedback.
Others, please feel free to leave similar feedback - either here or PM me if you prefer.
Cheers!

[Batfink]

I think a lot of people will find it hard to give useful feedback as all we want to do is talk about how awesome everything was Really great event. Thanks due to so many people but especially you and Lucy for making it all happen.

The only criticism I can think of (a relatively minor one) is the way the Sunday was scheduled- took part in Oz's excellent pugilism class after the tournament and was a bit disappointed that it had to be cut short. Also the uncertainty as much as anything- not knowing when/if it's going to be on. I'm sure there's a logic to the scheduling but I wonder if there's another way to go about it?

As for the tournaments themselves- The double hit rules are always going to be a bit of a headache but I really liked the option used in the Eggleton. Sometimes though I think it worked to the disadvantage of good form. Specifically I'm thinking of situations such as- you cut at my head, immediately as you begin I swing at your leg, we both connect at the same time. 'True' double. IMO what I've done is completely wrong in fencing terms and I'm really culpable for the double. But obviously there's no perfect solution and I know this is a debate that rages on and on. All in all I thought they were extremely well run, well judged. Best of the three years I've been to.

One of the things I'd like to highlight is the sheer variety of teaching and training on offer (all of it great quality as well). I like sparring(/learning by being hit) and this usually means I don't end up doing as many classes as I mean to but even so- the range of material available really lets me optimise what I do study so I can get the maximum out of the weekend and I know that the two or three classes I do choose will be top notch.

Much love and thanks to everyone involved. Looking forward to next time already.

[admin]

Thanks Jonathan - yes I agree about the Sunday schedule. It's a tricky one, because it's arranged like that to try and make the Sunday seem more significant, rather than have people drifting off and the event just peetering out. I'll have to re-think how we do it though, because it was unfair to the last round of lessons this time.

[fullplate]

Hi Matt
many thanks for a most excellent event. Thanks also to all the people who gave their time to run the classes , not to mention the Grange staff who were unfailingly cheerful and helpful under sometimes trying circumstances.

I too would question the arrangement of Sundays, the tournament seems an excellent way to finish, the majority of people are there so closing remarks can be made, prizes awarded etc. It has always been a bit frustrating to have to miss the final class because the tournament runs over time(and they often do)and you need to get on the road home.
Otherwise it is hard to fault the arrangements. the whole event is relaxed, friendly, not too expensive and generally a pleasure to attend.
Many thanks
PHil

[knirirr]

The competition on Saturday was good fun, efficiently run, and I liked the direct-elimination-by-doubles rule despite a draw that guaranteed it would happen to me.

Unfortunately I missed the Sunday competition as I had to be elsewhere; due to the time of year Fightcamp often clashes with other events.

It was very good having some items of equipment to test in the sparring arena as well - hopefully that mask cover will become available soon.

[KeithFarrell]

Many thanks guys, I really enjoyed reading these reviews and they contain very useful feedback.
Others, please feel free to leave similar feedback - either here or PM me if you prefer.
Cheers!

I'm glad you enjoyed the read, and that the feedback could be helpful

[Dave B]

I have a couple of minor thoughts. Not critisism at all but just thoughts.

It was a shame that there did not seem to be enough toilets. generaly there are 2 available (because the showers are in use pretty much all day) which is a bit light when people are all having the break between classes at the same time - but I'm not sure that there is an easy fix for that, it's a pain to bring in thunderboxes, so maybe that can't be fixed.

Being a bit retentive, I missed the notes that were in the infopack last time about things to bring for a class. I ended up carrying everything, but then again there were a couple of classes where people had to go back because they didn't realise that they would need gloves or whatever. I appreciate its a pain to do, but I think that it does help to have the reminder in the infopack.

On thing that was a shame was people turning up late for classes, it seemed to happen quite a bit and people did not always apologise to the instructor, then I realised that in some cases it was because people had finished the class before a little late and did not know because they were not wearing watches. It occurs to me that it might help to buy a couple of the very cheap large kitchen clocks and hang one from the tent in the training field and another in the hall, so that it's easy for people to keep track.

Tiny points really. It was an excellent event.

P.S.
I'd be another vote for having the competition last, so that people can finish their classes for the day and put stuff away if they like, I certainly wouldn't leave despite not having the patience to watch competitions, I'd just find people who wanted to play.

[Fab]

We came back from the UK only yesterday in the evening, so apologies for chiming in apparently so late.

"Best FightCamp ever", seems to be the current cool thing to say, and well, I can't disagree

Thanks to all who made this possible : Lucy, Matt, Jim and his Crew - seeing you chaps once a year is just not enough - the instructors also, the firepit, the English Summer, Bryan and Dave, Andy, the Old Friends and the New Ones.

And the birthday party was pure Awesome

[Cutlery Penguin]

I'm gonna echo everyone else. This was the best Fightcamp I have been to, and I have been to a lot. It ran smoothly and with almost no serious injuries (I said almost). Well done Matt, Lucy, and the Marshalls.

The tournaments were great, both as a competitor and a spectator. The judging gets better every year and the entrants more professional. I for one thought the double hit rule in the Assault at arms was brilliant and really showed exactly who was concentrating on not getting hit first and foremost. I know a lot of people got knocked out because of it but all that shows is that a lot of people got hit.

Special thanks to Marie for letting me make expresso in her kitchen, the IDC crowd for letting me go camping in Devon. Batfink for fighting me to a complete standstill (12 minutes until we both gave up and called it a draw) and everyone who worked so hard in all of my classes. I know the fitness stuff was extreme, but that's because you're awesome.

And finally thanks to all the other AWESOMEtm people of HEMAC.

[Batfink]

My pleasure Oz That fight was great.

[T Gallagher]

Now I finally have access to a computer and time to think I would like to add my very large 'thank you's' and congratulations to the Fightcamp team. Both Matt and Lucy have given us an event to remember once again and were more than ably assisted by the Marshals. It was truly a relief that the weather almost entirely co-operated and this really helped.
A huge and special thank you to Jim and all of the team at The Grange (once again) for being so awesome in keeping us fed and watered and generally in facilities. You are getting better and better at this and the food in particular was top-notch.

As per usual I concentrated on the classes this year and I am pleased to say they were at least the equal of any I have been to at any event.
It was also great that there was ample opportunity to spar as and when a opponent presented itself, so a special thank you must go to all of those who played with me. I am certain that the general standard of fighting is getting higher and higher at Hemac events.
The socialising was as convivial as ever. I was being semi-sensible this time round what with the swordly things I was concentrating upon, so I managed to miss the 5-in-the-morning shenanigens. Nonetheless, meeting up with you all is one of the highlights of this event, especially as it is more-or-less the only chance I get to see some of you.
Oh, and it is now official: there are some annoyingly talented French and Dutch people in Hema at the moment. You know who you are and so does everyone else.

Oh, and I rather agree with the Sunday scheduling suggestions made by some of the previous posters.

In short, Fightcamp was better than ever and I look forward to seeing you all next year.

Tim

[T Gallagher]

Oh, and ah, if I may take it upon myself to make the tactless suggestions that sometimes need to be made . . . . . .

Please, please, please could we have more toilets next year.
I realise that Jim and Co. are insanely busy with their airsoft business (and families!) expanding and that upgrades to The Grange itself are necessarily a slow and gradual process, but surely another couple of working loos shouldn't be beyond the bounds of possibility?
If the worst comes to the worst I'll organise a couple of Portaloos myself, put them on my credit card and have a whip-round over the course of the event to cover them, but we really need more than 2 places to defacate after breakfast.

Tim

[scalawag]

Oh, and ah, if I may take it upon myself to make the tactless suggestions that sometimes need to be made . . . . . .

Please, please, please could we have more toilets next year.
I realise that Jim and Co. are insanely busy with their airsoft business (and families!) expanding and that upgrades to The Grange itself are necessarily a slow and gradual process, but surely another couple of working loos shouldn't be beyond the bounds of possibility?
If the worst comes to the worst I'll organise a couple of Portaloos myself, put them on my credit card and have a whip-round over the course of the event to cover them, but we really need more than 2 places to defacate after breakfast.

Tim

I concur and shower rooms need rubber drainage matts.

If they are already hooked up to the main sewer it would be cheap and easy to do. However I'd assume they are on cesspit or water treatment plants which could be a bit tricky and expensive to put in more shitters.
Not sure what quantities FC 2012 would need but 250 guest attending a 10 hour event with alcohol served would require 7 portable toilets approx £25-£50+VAT per trap.

I had an excellent week end and look forward to the next event.

Great job Matt and Lucy.

[Scott Brown]

I have to say that Fightcamp was particularly awesome this year. For me, the cooperative weather really made a huge impact! Well, that and I had a tent that actually fit me this year!

Always nice to attend an event where the administrators and staff are relaxed and comfortable. This makes a tremendous difference in the feel of an event and the 'old hands' feel presented by Matt, Lucy, and the Marshall's was very welcome.

Interesting to see that the HEMA groups are becoming more mature these days and not spending all hours drinking into the morning. Well, most of us, that is. Still, lots of good times had 'round the fire and the Dutch and French bringing their instruments really added a nice touch. All events should have troubadours.

Classes were fun for me, especially watching Predrag and Wolfgang breeding zombies and Mark Gilbert working on scenario based exercises.

Congratulations to the tournament winners and competitors. It was pretty obvious that the double-knockout rule was a challenge for some folks but I think they'll be able to adjust in time for next year. Overall, those that managed to avoid that hurdle put on some really nice fencing and it's exciting to see HEMA's collective skills ever rising. Plus, I love it that a sword and buckler fencer won the Eggleton Cup! Congrat's Andy.

Thanks for having me and can't wait for the next one!

Scott

PS. De Taille et D'estoc, I will get you back for the campground buckler shenanigans!

[Scott Brown]

Oh, and are the videos online someplace yet? Link please!

[admin]

Oz has put some online and I know there are a lot more coming:
http://www.youtube.com/user/EnglishMartialArts

[KeithFarrell]

Ben Kerr has posted a review of the event on Encased in Steel, the weekly blog for the Academy of Historical Arts. A brief review by myself and another by Alex Bourdas are also included at the end of Ben's writings.

http://www.historical-academy.co.uk/blog/2011/08/23/fightcamp-review-by-the-academy-of-historical-arts-attendees/

We have just recently received some replies to this article by Tim Gallagher, who has kindly written another review of the event across a series of comments.