I'm going to be taking the Fundamentals of Swordsmanship course at the Higgins Armory Museum, but I worry that I will not have anyone to practice with in between the sessions, and after they end. I live in CT., near the city of Waterbury, and would be glad to travel some for the opportunity of regular practice. I don't hang on to motor skills very well if I don't keep in practice, so its important to me to keep up the momentum I'm hoping to generate with this course.

If you're out there, let me know if you're interested by personal e-mail, or if you have some advice on how to do solo practice, or how to find practice partners, please post it here -- it may be helpful to others who read on this Board, too.

I have been told that practice at a "pel" is not a good idea, partly because it trains you to strike too hard, so that it isn't safe in other kinds of fencing with real opponents. What are others' opinions or experiences?

Did you end up making it to WMAW?

I live in Oxford, CT, btw. I'll be pretty busy for the next month while I finish up my Ringeck book, but perhaps after that we might hook up.

Best regards,
Christian

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