About Us
The Whidbey Swordplay Association is a community dedicated to the study, practice, and preservation of historical European martial arts.
Our Story
The Whidbey Swordplay Association was founded with a simple idea: bring the study of historical swordsmanship to Whidbey Island and create a community where people could learn, practice, and enjoy the martial traditions of the past.
What began as a small gathering of sword enthusiasts has grown into a community of practitioners interested in historical European martial arts, from longsword and sword & buckler to rapier, dagger, sidesword, and other historical weapons.
Our goal is not simply to learn how to swing a sword. We study historical fighting systems through surviving manuscripts and treatises, then apply those techniques through drills, partner exercises, sparring, and controlled combat.
WSA welcomes people with a wide range of interests and experience levels. Whether you are interested in martial arts, history, historical weapons, competition, stage combat, physical fitness, or simply want to learn something new, there is a place for you here.
Today, the Whidbey Swordplay Association serves practitioners across Whidbey Island through its chapter system, providing opportunities to train, learn, compete, demonstrate, and build community.
Leadership
Ryan Vogt
Dan Minkel
Deborah Fisher
Instructors
Ryan Vogt
Ryan is a founding member of the Whidbey Swordplay Association and teaches a variety of historical weapon systems, with a particular focus on longsword, sword & buckler, and rapier & dagger.
Deborah Fisher
Deborah specializes in the refined traditions of rapier and smallsword, helping practitioners develop precision, timing, distance, and technique.
Dan Minkel
Dan teaches historical polearm systems, with an emphasis on spear and quarterstaff techniques, movement, distance, and practical application.
Xander
Xander teaches longsword and sword & buckler, helping students develop strong fundamentals, defensive awareness, and practical application of historical techniques.
Brook
Brook specializes in longsword, with an emphasis on developing sound fundamentals, timing, distance, and adaptable fighting skills.
Connor
Connor teaches longsword and messer, combining historical techniques with practical drilling and sparring.
Quinn
Quinn teaches across several fencing traditions, including longsword, rapier, and smallsword.
Chris
Chris specializes in rapier, smallsword, and saber, bringing together techniques from several distinct European fencing traditions.
Owen
Owen helps introduce younger practitioners to swordplay in a safe, structured, and engaging environment.
What is HEMA?
HEMA stands for Historical European Martial Arts. It is the study and practice of European martial traditions preserved in historical manuscripts, fencing books, and other surviving sources.
These sources describe systems of combat developed hundreds of years ago. Modern practitioners study those sources and reconstruct their techniques through experimentation, instruction, drilling, and sparring.
Historical Sources
We study surviving fencing manuscripts and treatises to understand how historical martial systems were practiced.
Martial Arts
HEMA is a martial art. Practitioners learn footwork, attacks, defenses, timing, distance, tactics, and body mechanics.
Many Weapons
HEMA encompasses a wide variety of weapons, including longsword, arming sword, sword & buckler, rapier, dagger, sidesword, spear, saber, and more.
Live Practice
Techniques are tested through controlled partner drills and sparring, allowing practitioners to develop timing, distance, awareness, and adaptability.
Modern Safety
Although the techniques are historical, training uses modern protective equipment and purpose-built training weapons to allow practitioners to practice safely.
More Than Swords
HEMA is about more than fighting. It combines history, physical training, technical study, problem solving, and a strong sense of community.
Learn. Train. Preserve.
The Whidbey Swordplay Association exists to preserve historical martial traditions while making them accessible to the modern community. Whether you are picking up a sword for the first time or have years of experience, we invite you to train with us.
