Sharing some thoughts...

Thank you very much tsafa you are always very helpful and giving with your knowledge when asked. I am pleased to find that I can train without traveling to far, and that at least initially it won't cost a thing. Thats great for us beginners. I had no idea that there were SCA sanctioned groups in Arkansas. I am really new to this, so the lingo may take sometime getting use to. Thanks again tsafa.

Thanks trueswordsman looks like alot of fun. I do hope to meet you there one day. Very cool!!!

Thanks tsafa I wil open a new thread when I get to that point. I am getting my first sword I think next friday. I will have to get another one for blade on blade or reenactment. The one I ordered doesn't have blunt tip. So, I will probably start getting my armor around that time. But maybe sooner (depends on the funds). I am planning on trying to learn all of the forms and styles that I can (Including fencing) but for now I am into the medieval sword styles. Thanks again for all the help.

Usually in the shield wall you are not expected to get kills only defend the spearmen and survive. So if I can pull the enemy shields down while I try to survive it will make for a better melee weapon than a sword. Of course I also want to surprise a few folks when I penetrate well past the top of their shield.

If you are looking for historical motions and training, then yes - avoid it like the plague. If you are looking for the fury and action of a medieval battle, flock to it like a squirrel to an acorn.

Jake, you are part of my kingdom, The East Kingdom. You have many options available to you. If you can get to Toms River in NJ, you will get to one of the very best fighter practices.

www.housebloodguard.org/



Also look at the following list:

www.eastkingdom.org/branches.html

You will want the Southern Region. It shows about 10 practices in the PA area. There is one right in Philadelphia if you live close.

bhakail.eastkingdom.org/



That should be enough to get you started. Go to a practice or two and see if that is what you like. The people there will tell you what else is available around you. SCA people are involved with a lot of other organizations. Other options you will find within the SCA are rapier, sidesword (WMA), archery, axe throwing, etc... Also medieval needle point, weaving, beading, brewing, cooking, calligraphy, etc....

You should go to some practices, borrow some armor and weapons, and decide for yourself what you want to do.

If you come up to Summerville in NJ on a Thursday night, we can do some Longsword at that practice. Where you live, you got a lot of options if you have time to drive.

Here is a link to Aethelmerc's listing of local groups (incase you did not find it already) :
www.aethelmearc.org/groups.php

They have a Zipcode finder on their webpage too.

There are some more email addresses of Marshals on this page:
www.aethelmearc.org/earl_marshal/

Start sending out emails to everyone. You can't judge a practice by how good its webpage is. My practive is one of the best in the whole country and we don't even have a webpage. When you talk to people also ask about upcomming events and demo's. If you go there you will get a lot of info.

It is a little hard getting the initial info of where to go and talk to because everything is organized at the local level. It took me a while to find the right practice for myself too. My lucky break came when someone told me to seach the Yahoo Groups. In my area the yahoo group lists are the main form of communication for SCA practices. So search yahoo groups and google groups too.

You already seem to have some leads. Go to whichever practice is closer to you and talk to people. They will give you info about other practices too.