Welcome to the official Event Page of Torneo di Spada a Rostock. Here you will get all information you need. Take a look at the workshops, timetable, tournament ruleset and equipment required to join the tournament.
Date: 16.-17. November
Location: Maxim-Gorki-Straße 70, 18106 Rostock
Ruleset Tournament (German)
Ruleset Tournament (Englisch)
Workshops
Spada e Rotella: I see what you don’t see!
Large shields have always been part of historical conflicts. As a reliable secondary weapon, they provide protection on the battlefield and represent an obstacle that is difficult to overcome.
At least a mask and light gloves are required, as well as a one-handed sword (a small number of side sword simulators are available if required). A fencing jacket and/or chest protector and hard hand protection is recommended.
The number of places depends on the availability of the rental rotella. Alternatively, this workshop can also be carried out with another strapped medium-sized shield without loss.
Stay true to the true edge: Italian rapier prinicples
We will consider the advantage of the true edge and its practical implications. I will also introduce the concept of 3 parry/counter timings
Damian started training HEMA at Uppsala Historical Fencing School in 2014. After a few years he became a longsword, rapier, and sabre instructor there. His main interests are Polish sabre and Italian rapier. He won several medals, including silver in sabre at the Swedish HEMA National Championships, but his most cherished achievement is winning the “Best Technical Fencer” Award at the International Rapier Seminar in 2023. That year he also started his own HEMA school in Poland – HEMA Łódź Korsarze.
Against the Alfanje – Rapier vs. sabre
In the Spanish Empire at the time when La Verdadera Destreza was taught, there were other weapons besides the rapier. One in particular was the alfanje or ‘Turkish sabre’, but this term can stand for many different types of weapon.
This workshop deals with some techniques from Luis Pacheco’s work ‘Grandezas de la Espada’ in which a rapier fencer competes against a sabre fencer. Equipment required: fencing mask, gloves, rapier and/or sabre.
Weapons can also be provided.
François Dancie: „How to beat a Gentleman with a Rapier“ aka „Your Technique only works in the Salle“
We will take a superficial dive into François Dancie’s simple system of fencing with a single sword (in HEMA terms rapier or sidesword) and consequently play through 2 distinct scenarios focussing on two opposing personas: “The bully”, who attempts to scare you into defense through furious cuts and “the skillfull fencer”, who trusts his blade skills and perfect guard.
Time Schedule
| Saturday | |||
| 9:00 | Entrance & Warm-Up | ||
| 10:00 | Official Welcome | Gear Check | |
| 10:00-12:00 | Pool 1 (Sidesword Woman+) | Seminar Damian Matuszewski | |
| 12:00-13:30 | Break | ||
| 13:30-15:00 | Pool 1 (Sidesword Men open) | Seminar Nico Banash | |
| 15:00-16:30 | Pool 2 (Sidesword Men open) | ||
| 16:30-17:30 | Eliminations | ||
| 17:30-18:00 | Finals | ||
| 19:00 | Offizial End and Clean Up | ||
| Sunday | |||
| 9:00 | Entrance & Warm-Up | ||
| 10:00-12:00 | Pool 1 (Rapier Woman+) | Seminar Stephan Eickelmann | |
| 12:00-13:00 | Break | ||
| 13:00-14:30 | Pool 1 (Rapier Men open) | Seminar Markus Steinkopf | |
| 14:30-16:00 | Pool 2 (Rapier Men open) | ||
| 16:00-16:30 | Eliminations | ||
| 16:30-17:00 | Finals | ||
| 17:00 | Offizial End and Clean Up | ||
Tournament Equipment
The Rapier must have the following characteristics:
- The length of the crossguard must be between 10cm and 30cm.
- Blade: must between 95cm and 130cm (up to the crossguard)
- Point: The point must be securely covered with an appropriate tip.
- Overall length: max. 140 cm
- Mass: between 0.8 kg and 1.3 kg
- Flexibility: max. 10kg
The Sidesword must have the following characteristics:
- Sword specifications: Only side swords, Meyer rappiers, or early rapiers are allowed. The number of guard elements follows the standard for side swords (cross, 2 finger rings, knuckle bow, small D-ring on the side) or Meyer rapiers (large D-ring on the side, knuckle bow).
- Blade: blunt, 80cm – 95cm length (including ricasso, up to the guard)
- Point: The point must be securely covered with an appropriate tip.
- Overall length: max. 115cm
- Mass: between 0.8 kg and 1.2kg
- Flexibility: max. 10kg
Fencing mask & rear head protection: a fencing mask FIE standard level 2 with a stab resistance of at least 1600N.
A neck protector made of a hard material that covers the entire larynx and protects the neck from impacts.
(compulsory for women) A chest protector made of a hard material that protects the upper body from blows and stabs.
An upper body protector with a stab resistance of at least 350N, which covers and protects the upper body from the hips to the neck.
A protector made from a hard material that protects the forearm and elbow joint on both arms from impacts.
Gloves made of a hard material that protect fingers and wrist from blows. (min. Red Dragon)
(compulsory for men) A groin guard made of a hard material that protects the genital area from blows.
A thigh protector with a puncture resistance of at least 350N, which protects the thighs from punctures and blows.
Leg protection made of a hard material that protects the knees and shins up to the ankle from impacts.
