Colin Tries: Historical Medieval Fighting
Did you try LARPing and loved the thrill of wielding a foam sword in a fantasy setting? Are you ready to take it to a whole new step and don’t know where to go? What about a sport dedicated to the art of historical fighting?
Meet historical medieval battle, otherwise known as Buhurt a modern full-contact combat sport that simulates medieval battles. It is an exciting and very physically demanding activity. Whether you're interested in fighting in full armour (for those LARPers out there) or simply want to enjoy the fitness benefits of training in a supportive environment, there are many reasons to explore historical medieval battle.
Warning: When you are starting your journey with Buhurt, there is a lot of strength and fitness involved. This wasn’t something that was told to me when I was first invited to Team Kraken’s arena. As someone who has the upper body strength of a newborn baby, this was frightening. However, the team explained the important steps to go through to prepare your body for the demands of the sport.
They encourage a supportive environment with gym sessions, and fighting with soft kits (swords that don’t go stab, stab). This way, your body is able to handle the weight of the armour and swords to re-enact or compete safely in competitions.
So, how did someone like me (strength of toddler remember) get to go on this journey? To help you guys, of course! Whilst I was getting kitted up in armour (did you know they use shoelaces to tie everything together?!) I have to really go deep into my subconscious and strengthen myself mentally. So, what does that mean for you guys? Well, I basically got to ask a lot of annoying questions so that you don’t have to!
First off! How do you get into Buhurt? Sign up for a Buhurt gym! Or join a newbie night! It’s all about going for it and taking that leap of faith. Anyone can do it, and you will be welcomed with open arms.
I love the exercise, but I'm not a fan of the competition. @theandromedaink mentioned that this isn’t something that you have to go in with the mindset of wearing armour and fighting, even though that is appealing, it’s something you can do for the fun of the sport or general fitness in an encouraging environment.
@huber_hammer also mentioned that you can also look at being a helper (squire) during competitions as well, if you were looking to help support the team.
Can I get into armour straight away? Unfortunately, no, it is something that they require you to learn the proper techniques and build your strength up first before getting completely kitted up. This is to reduce any injuries, and when you are swinging that sword in the armour, it really does feel strenuous on the body. It wasn’t something that I could do for any more than 10 minutes (and I’ve LARPed in armour before). The armour is definitely heavier than most LARPers’ armours.
Getting kitted up in a full set of armour made me feel powerful (especially since I wasn’t at that level yet). It was a very empowering experience that felt very rewarding, even after just one session! So check it out and join a very supportive community!
Originally written for Colin Magazine Edition 5 by Jacinta Orgill