Andreas Klingelmayer – Mach’s kurz! Do it with the Short Edge …”
Discipline: Longsword Workshop
The longsword text in the famous Red Book Peter von Danzig is a comprehensive, self-contained presentation of a fencing system. Like a computer program, everything is interconnected and interdependent. If you change “one line of code,” you change the outcome and also how it interacts with all the other “modules.” So what happens if we take familiar techniques literally and arrive at new interpretations in specific areas? Do these new interpretations still fit in all the other places in the text where that particular technique is required?
One example is the use of the short edge. The text often allows it to be used much more “prominently,” leading to new perspectives, approaches, and results. Let’s examine how the described technique and its outcome change if, in Absetzen, we are “short-bound” right away (i.e., engage immediately with the short edge). Or if, in Duplieren, we use the short edge to switch sides. And whether, in Winden, we can find a way by employing the short edge to execute the lower windings elegantly as well.
Experience level: All
Recommended equipment: A feder or fencing sword is sufficient. Gloves and a mask may be used if desired, but are not strictly necessary.
Dr Robert Atkinson – An introduction to safeguarding.
Discipline: Seminar
Swiss HEMA recommends its members to have a Safeguarding Framework in place; an expectation in modern sports clubs. This workshop covers an explanation of the recently published Swiss HEMA guidelines on Prevention and Protection. Participants will be taken through the elements of the guide and provided with suggestions on how they can develop safeguarding protocols and policies.
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: United Kingdom & Switzerland, Geneva/ Militia Genavae.
Primary Weapons: Rapier, Side-sword, Feder.
Robert has been practicing HEMA with Militia Genavae since 2019. His main interests are in rapier and Bolognaise side-sword. He is looking to practice Spadone (Alfieri) in the near future. Robert has been leading Swiss HEMA’s Openness and Safeguarding Commission since 2021 and is a member of Militia Genavae’s EDI Commission.
Le Millier Christophe – A geometrical approach to fencing or how can Apollonius of Perga help us playing with Rapier and dagger?
Discipline: Rapier and Dagger Workshop
In this workshop, we will use some principles of Verdadera Destreza to discover how the application of seemingly simple geometric principles can help us to control a fight.
We will apply them in particular in the context of using a lefthand dagger.
For this workshop, you will need mask, gloves and obviously a rapier and a dagger.
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland, Geneva/ GAGSchola
Primary Weapons: Longsword, Rapier, Dagger, Messer, Canne, Sword&Buckler …
Born in France in 1980, he started modern fencing at the age of 6. After a few tries at artistical fencing, he discovered proper HEMA in 2003 by joining the group Zornhau in Germany and learned there mainly longsword and dagger. In 2011, he joined the Associació Catalana d’Esgrima Antiga (ACEA) in Barcelona, where he focused on the rapier and most importantly on learning Verdadera Destreza. In 2014, he also joined the group GAGSchola in Geneva, practicing there longsword and wrestling. At that time, he helped Switzerland discover Verdadera Destreza by holding several classes at various events. Then after a few back and forth between Barcelona and Geneva, he settled in Switzerland in 2020 and is now the main instructor of GAGSchola.
Martin Zulliger – Practical HEMA Instruction, From Science to Better Training
Discipline: Workshop
In this workshop, we will explore how to design more effective HEMA practice by drawing on insights from current science. About one third of the session will be seminar-style, presenting key scientific findings in an accessible way. The remaining time will be hands-on: you will work in small groups to design and critique exercises. Core topics include exploration, the role of drills, non-linear learning, how to give instructions, and skill retention. Participants will leave with both practical tools and a deeper understanding of how to shape their instruction for better results.
Requirements: Protective gear: whatever your club uses but at minimum mask, gorget and gloves. Training weapons: whatever you want, but if less common, please bring a pair.
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland, Gladius et Codex
Primary Weapons: Longsword, Quarterstaff, Halberd
Martin Zulliger has been teaching longsword, staff, and halberd since 2020, with a focus on the traditions of Pseudo-von Danzig and Joachim Meyer. In 2022, he began the self-study of the psychology of motor skill acquisition and has since applied scientific insights to his HEMA instruction. His development as an instructor has been shaped by ongoing experimentation—learning from successes, setbacks, and the exchange of ideas with fellow fencers and teachers. This process has led him toward a more consistent, evidence-based approach to HEMA instruction, aiming to move beyond traditional training and replace less effective methods with practices that help fencers progress.
Martin holds a PhD in biomedical physics and currently serves as president of Gladius et Codex.
Ferenc Hucker – Capoferro Specials
Discipline: Rapier Workshop
In this workshop we will check the most interesting and fancy solutions presented by Capoferro. Technical workshop, beginners are also welcome.
Minimal requirements: rapier + gloves + mask
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland, Zurich/ HADU
Primary Weapons: Longsword, Rapier, Montante
Ferenc started HEMA in 2007 in Hungary and became a trainer in Ars Ensis. In 2013 he moved to Switzerland where he joined the trainings of the team which later became HADU. Currently he is still trainer in both AE and HADU.
His main weapon focus is longsword, specially the longsword section of Joachim Meyer, but competent enough with Fiore and early Lichtenauer. He has also interests in rapier, mainly focusing on Rada and Capoferro as well.
Philipp Wyss – Thrusting with Saber, Faints from Smallsword
Discipline: Saber Workshop
In This Workshop I want to lock at the Deceptive Faints from Smallsword and how we can incorporate it into our saber game and in the Word of John Musgrave Waite question the cut heavy saber plays
“Those who have taught its use seem to have thought of little else than the cuts which can be given with it, and to have overlooked the fact that the modern Sabre, essentially a cut-and-thrust weapon, can be used with great effect for thrusts”
Equipment preferred: Full gear, minimum a Mask, Gorget and Gloves. Saber or 1 Handed Sword (I have a few). All skill level welcome!
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland, Gladius Et Codex
Primary Weapons: Saber, Longsword, Dagger, Buhurt
First contact with Weapons fighting in Kali / Eskrima. Startet Hema 2016 and became Head Coach at Gladius et codex in 2020. Gave Workshops on Fiore’s Dagger and Longsword Aswell as Saber. Around That Time Got Interested in All Things Saber and the different application of styles and what works best in what situation. Studied Polish, English and Hungarian Saber. 2022 Capitan and Head coach of a Buhurt team Won gold in Longsword Duels and Silver in Sword and Shield.
Jonathan Hily – Meyer 1561, the deceptives strikes in longsword
Discipline: Longsword Workshop
Die 6 verborgennhaw. Blindhaw, Brelchaw, Kurtzhaw, Knichellhaw, Glietzhaw & Windthaw.
In his last discovered 1561 treatise, Joachim Meyer categorized 6 of his strikes as secret or hidden. Those I would describe as deceptive ones.
Not as straight forward as the Master cuts, those strikes make it look easy to pass through, around or behind the opponent’s defense.
Let’s uncover them! I’ll share with you my interpretation.
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland, Cdf.AMHE, La Chauc-de-Fonds
Primary Weapons: Longsword, Dussack, Wrestling
Jonathan started HEMA back in 2010 in a park in Strasbourg, France. After 2 years practicing with Oliver Dupuis, he funded a club in La Chaux-De-Fonds – La Chaux-de-F.AMHE while moving in Switzerland.
Main instructor in his club but also very committed to HEMA community, working within Swiss HEMA and participating in international events.
Lars Waldvogel – 1000 Different Ways to Teach
Discipline: Longsword Workshop
This workshop is meant both for experienced instructors and for people who always wanted to become one.
Instead of trying to teach you some “one true way” to instruct, we will be looking at and trying out many different ways.
The goal is for all participants to try out different styles of teaching to find what fits them and what does not.
Since we can all profit from each other’s experience, inputs are highly welcome!
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland Schaffhausen, WEMAC
Primary Weapons: Longsword
Lars initially started with Japanese sword fighting, where he became an instructor in 2018. In 2020, he found his true calling in HEMA. While those two martial arts are very different, they also hold many similarities. Lars uses the knowledge from these two disciplines to give his fellow club members the best training he can.
Reto Häner – Under Pressure: Approaching your opponent according to Manciolino and the Anonimo Bolognese
Discipline: Sidesword Workshop
This workshop will focus primarily on footwork and its tactical application, so it will feature a lot of movement. A mask, gorget, one-handed sword and gloves are required, a jacket is also recommended.
About the Instructor:
Country/Club: Switzerland – Zurich, HADU
Primary Weapons: Sidesword, Sword & Buckler, Partisan
Reto started HEMA in 2018. He quickly gained an interest in the Bolognese tradition, spending much of the COVID era researching it and becoming an instructor at HADU in 2021.