Blackbird Training Group

06/18/2026

Hello Everyone!

Here is some information about the Prosser Highland Games and our Sagebrush Skirmish tournaments:
The games gate opens at 0900 on Saturday the 20th.
I plan on being at the games to set up between 0730 and 0800. I would appreciate any help that I can get, but there is no requirement.
Competitors and members of our club get in free, so wear a Blackbird Shirt if you can and you will get in free. If you don't have a shirt, just let them know at the Gate and they will waive your fee.
They are asking if we can put someone at the Gate to 'Verify' that people saying they are with us are actually with us, so I'll need a volunteer for that. We'll make sure whoever does that job is only there for a short time, giving plenty of time before the Tournament actually starts.
We will hold the Single stick tourney first, then the Steel.

Here's the link to the event: https://www.prosserscottishfest.org/
Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games www.prosserscottishfest.org
I can't wait to see you all there!

Oh, in case there are questions or you need anything, message me here, I'll try to check it often.

06/07/2026

If you want to figure lefties, just come to Blackbird... LoL

https://fool-of-swords.beehiiv.com/p/fight-every-lefty-you-can

05/24/2026

Hey Folks!

A quick update about the Skirmish. I just noticed that the event description was missing info about the youth single stick tournament. Here's what I added to the Event Page:

NOTICE: We will also be hosting a Youth Single stick Tournament during this event. Schedule is a bit up in the air, but we will supply the single sticks. Protective gear for this tournament is a fencing mask, groin protection if appropriate, and Hockey gloves at minimum. You are permitted to wear whatever protective gear you wish, as deemed appropriate by the officials.

05/12/2026

It turns out the likelihood of getting attacked with a sword in the Tri-Cities is low, but not zero...

Come train.

https://www.tri-cityherald.com/news/local/crime/article315712811.html?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a0227791f2f3300018df349&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawRwLc5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR5GLDr1Dmdv_UGpF7UNWnJ0XpA5e6teyzVqW3N4nx42bvhLlgrHeVqb5DQjZg_aem_-safQqtyubn4uTavSbFtOQ

04/19/2026

You did it folks! Your nominations got us on the board.

Apparently, how it works is a number of people have to nominate a business, and then that business gets put on the nomination ballot that was the link that I had originally sent, and by you guys navigating to the area where you can nominate someone not on the list and putting us there, we are now on the list (Sorry for any confusion).
https://kennewick.communityvotes.com/2026/04/sports-recreation-and-fitness/martial-arts

We look forward to every opportunity to serve our community, share the love of our martial art, and train with you whenever we can.

Speaking of community, we have a number of upcoming events that we would like to share with you.

June 20th at the Prosser Highland Games we will be having our annual Sagebrush Skirmish tournament, July 16th we are collaborating with the Richland Public Library to teach an introduction to broadsword fencing class, and our next women's self-defense series level 1 and level 2 will be July 26th and August 1 st.

We are also working on other community events. The mid Columbia Pirate festival has expressed some interest in hosting a class that we would teach on Cutlass fighting, as well as a collaboration with a local store to offer some knife skills education to the public. We love each and every opportunity to teach and share what we do with the public, and will let you know more as these events get closer.

We can never thank you enough for your love and support, but we'll try...

I look forward to training with you!

-Jim

04/17/2026

For our adult guy students: if you're able to help out with the women's self defense seminar tomorrow, please let me know.

If you'd like to talk about specifics, we can chat about it at class tonight, or just message me.

We'll be meeting before the seminar at 0900 to set up. Also, we'll be using the south room for the first part of the class, then moving to our normal room once the other class clears out.

We have between 6 and 8 pre-registered, I think.

Thanks folks!

04/17/2026

Hey folks! I'll have a couple of posts today, but I wanted to get this one out ASAP. There's an opportunity to vote us as the Tri-Cities best martial arts school!

I love our little slice of heaven, and if you do too, give us a nomination! Here's the link to do that!

https://kennewick.communityvotes.com/2026/04/sports-recreation-and-fitness/martial-arts

04/10/2026

If you can think of a Martial Arts Studio you might want to Nominate for Best in the Tri-Cities, here's a place where you can Vote:

https://www.tri-citiesbest.com/

If it's us, we'd appreciate the nomination. If it's someone else... What can we do to earn your vote?

The Tri-City area is a unique place. We live, shop, eat, and play in the beautiful Columbia Basin and wouldn’t have it any other way. In celebration of our great communities, Tri-City Herald is revamping the People’s Choice and presenting Tri-Cities Best.

03/02/2026

It's a little self-serving, but... I will be one of the chaperones for my Daughter's Youth Group mission trip from the Living Room Church to Rwanda later this year and I am doing some fundraising.

The Group has organized an online auction with over 150 items that closes March 15th.

I have personally included several items from Blackbird:
2 Two hour private lessons with me ($60 value each), Private Women’s Self-Defense Seminar for up to 10 people ($200 Value), and a Private Swordsmanship Clinic for up to 10 people ($200 value).

Here's a cool chance to get some good training and donate to a good cause.

Here's the link to that Auction.

https://www.estatedetails.com/auctions/25156?pageSize=96

Check out the items! There are some great ones. If you can’t quite find that exact thing you’re looking for, there is an option to ‘bid’ that will be a direct donation.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

I can't wait to train with you.

jim

02/08/2026

Holy Smokes! Technology is great until it isn't.

I have been struggling with getting good communications between folks reaching out and myself. Well, I have figured out at least one problem. The "Free Week" form on our website hasn't been forwarding the messages from people consistently.

Just so you see how bad it is:
of just under 100 submissions in the last Year, 6 have been forwarded on. Two of those became students. So frustrating.

So, I have been working on getting emails out to people who have reached out. I have crafted a bulk email body that I have been customizing for each individual. This will take a while, but I can't imagine doing it any other way.

Please understand that I am doing my best to reply to everyone.

If you want to train with us, please reach out to [email protected] or message us here.

Thanks, and I look forward to training with you.

-jim