Haven't been able to post for a while due to time constraints but finally have time as currently driving in our teams battle bus to Scone Palace in Scotland for my first major competition. Competing in the group events which is pretty limited on rules so expecting a baptism by fire. Pretty excited and nervous at the same time. Driving through the north and praying it's not raining like it is here as we are fighting on grass and it will be a mud fest. Will update when I can
On way back. Fought three fights and ditched my usual falchion for a mace and as it is a lighter weapon was enjoying the increase in speed,. Noted it still had a fair amount of whack behind it. This tournament was mostly about getting the newer fighters into the fray and is very much sink or swim. Managed to dislocate my shoulder on my third melee where I was grappling with a much larger guy against the lists,. We were using IMCF rules so I couldn't hold the list but could lean on the lists, chicken winged with my arm the list to stop him taking me down but his weight combined with his armour was to much and I heard and crunch and pop and a flair of pain through my shoulder, pure pain after that as had to get my armour off but shoulder back in and checked. After the fight whilst waiting for the paramedic to pop my shoulder, the big guy who popped my shoulder checked to see I was ok, hugged me and said welcome to the family and that night this was echoed my all the seasoned fighters over large amounts of mead Your first major competition is your baptism of fire and your only really taken into the fold after this point. Apart from dislocating my shoulder it was the greatest adrenaline rush I have ever done and I wanted to fight on and this is a sport I want to continue to grow in. Due to fight again in September so will heal up, a friend did video so I post when I get the video.
Shoulder bit sore but range of motion ok. Had to wait for the battle to finish before I could climb out and get it put back in. Resting up for a few days but a great experience.
Getting photos and videos through so will upload some later when on my WIFI. Just got sent this through. Looks like the Sun were covering at the event!
Member of my team was hit in the coccyx with a halberd and didnt get up for some time and was brought out on a spinal board as a precaution by the paramedics. Luckly was only bad bruising but it was one hell of a headline. He has been the butt of all the teams jokes since we saw the article. Lol
That looks like so much fun. I love the idea of drinking mead with your "enemies" afterwards. I''ll have to see if there's a tournament like that in my area.
Where are you based? Will be uploading videos and picks of the tournament soon but should be some on YouTube already. Tournament of Destiny, Scone Palace. HMB teams in most countrys. I personally fight out of Battle Heritage in the UK. Only enemies in the arena. One big dysfunctional family with a taste for mead really...
Hitting people with big sticks. That's fantastic, man (except for the injury part). I tip my hat to you for getting out there and doing it. [[ Pretend we have the bowing smilie here ]] As for the shoulder, I'm envisioning the scene in "Knight's Tale" where Heath Ledger's character is getting his arm twisted back into position with some evil-looking twisty contraption.
Nothing like that unfortunately. It went back in as they were trying to get my armour and gambeson off. Luckily away from the public as I was howling with pain when it happened.
I can ask my coach tomorrow. I know Langenschwert knows a HMB (heavy medieval battle) group in Canada but not sure if that would be near you?