Canterbury Historical Fencing Club

12/08/2026

When historical fencing finally gets a video production budget.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yXyHuiAsH4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZr5L6QEQgs

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04/08/2026

During the excellent event "A Flock of Fools 1" hosted by the team at Silly Goose Swords another Centurion has been revealed!

Jono Grose has now reached 100 competitive wins at ranked HEMA tournaments.
He has been a stalwart supporter of historical fencing in Aotearoa for over a decade, and is very well respected among the community.
If you're not already aware, he also makes swords & armour under the name of the The Iron Tailor New Zealand. Go check out his wares:
https://www.theirontailor.co.nz/

Congratualtions Uncle Jono, see you on the piste.

19/07/2026

The Iron Tailor website is live.

15/07/2026

For those of you who can read... (or at least pretend to).

*Federico Ghislieri's Rules of Many Knightly Exercises* is well worth a spot on your bookshelf. Whether you're interested in rapier, historical fencing, or period treatises, it's a solid read and a great resource.

It's also written by one of our own, Mike Smallridge, so if you're looking to support the New Zealand HEMA community, this is a great way to do it.

Grab a copy here:
https://nzhemasupplies.co.nz/products/federico-ghislieris-rules-of-many-knightly-exercises

23/06/2026

Save the date

Save the date!

The Steve Hodgson Memorial Tournament returns this September. As New Zealand’s longest running HEMA tournament, Steve Hodgson brings together fencers from around the country for a weekend of competition, camaraderie, and (of course) fencing.

More details, categories, and registration information coming soon.

For now, mark tour calendars - and get training!

10/06/2026

The next fencer to achieve centurion status is:

Nicola Leiseder of Auckland Sword and Shield

https://hemaratings.com/fighters/details/10697/

Nico has been a regular medalist at tournaments around NZ for several years, achieving 158 wins since 2022, and he is currently the highest-ranked sabreur in New Zealand.
With several more events planned in Aotearoa this year, it's possible that Nico will make his 200th!

As an impressively fit fencer, Nico frequently defies gravity and the reaction speeds of his opponents, but is still always a pleasure to face on the piste.

Congratulations Nico!