What is HEMA?
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) involves the study and practice of historical fighting techniques left behind by dead, European masters. Through translation and recreation, these fighting systems are brought back to life in the present.
What is HEMA?
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) involves the study and practice of historical fighting techniques left behind by dead, European masters. Through translation and recreation, these fighting systems are brought back to life in the present.
What we do
Centerline Sword School teaches Historical European Martial Arts. At Centerline Sword School, we interpret, recreate, and teach the methods found in historical manuals of Italian and German masters of arms.
Armizare
Tradition
Armizare Tradition
An Italian weapons system of the aristocratic elite from the 14th century founded by Fiore dei Liberi. It teaches:
Wrestling, Dagger, Sword in one hand, Sword in two hands, Spear, Armored fencing, Fencing from horseback, and more
Wrestling, Dagger, Sword in one hand, Sword in two hands, Spear, Armored fencing, Fencing from horseback, and more
Freifechter
Tradition
Freifechter Tradition
A German weapons system of the burgher class from the 16th century as cataloged by Joachim Meyer. The weapons it teaches are:
Longsword, Dussack, Rappier, Dagger, Staff, Pike, Halberd
Longsword, Dussack, Rappier, Dagger, Staff, Pike, Halberd
Instructors
Shane has been training since early 2018 and has studied with multiple instructors around the midwest. He actively competes in HEMA tournaments, having won 1st place several times and medaled many more. He is Fechtered in the MFFG in all three books of the sword: Longsword, Dussack, and Rapier.
Shane HillenInstructor 
Cameron Metcalf has been an active competitor in HEMA tournaments since 2017. He studies Joachim Meyer's German tradition of swordsmanship with a focus on longsword, dagger, and ringen. Before founding WMSA Cameron was an instructor at Grand Valley State University HEMA.
Cameron MetcalfInstructor 
Brent Bloem is a Scholar of The Black Falcon School of Arms. He has been fencing since 2006 and has studied both England's Harleian longsword and Fiore Dei Liberi's Armizare. Before founding WMSA, Brent was an instructor at Waubonsie Historic Swordsmanship and Grand Valley State University HEMA.
Brent BloemInstructor 
Ehren Wynder has been involved in historical fencing since late 2017 and is a practitioner primarily of Spanish rapier and German longsword fencing. Active in both HEMA and the SCA, He has amassed a handful of accolades from the SCA and holds a 2nd Dan black belt in Tang Soo Do.
Ehren WynderInstructor 
Wednesday Class
1400 Maynard Ave SW
Sunday Class
1400 Maynard Ave SW
Centerline Sword School 2020 © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Menu footage courtesy of Grand Rapids Drone Co.
What is HEMA?
Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) involves the study and practice of historical fighting techniques left behind by dead, European masters. Through translation and recreation, these fighting systems are brought back to life in the present.
What we do
Centerline Sword School teaches Historical European Martial Arts. At Centerline Sword School, we interpret, recreate, and teach the methods found in historical manuals of Italian and German masters of arms.
Armizare
Tradition
Armizare Tradition
An Italian weapons system of the aristocratic elite from the 14th century founded by Fiore dei Liberi. It teaches:
Wrestling, Dagger, Sword in one hand, Sword in two hands, Spear, Armored fencing, Fencing from horseback, and more
Wrestling, Dagger, Sword in one hand, Sword in two hands, Spear, Armored fencing, Fencing from horseback, and more
Freifechter
Tradition
Freifechter Tradition
A German weapons system of the burgher class from the 16th century as cataloged by Joachim Meyer. The weapons it teaches are:
Longsword, Dussack, Rappier, Dagger, Staff, Pike, Halberd
Longsword, Dussack, Rappier, Dagger, Staff, Pike, Halberd
Instructors
Shane has been training since early 2018 and has studied with multiple instructors around the midwest. He actively competes in HEMA tournaments, having won 1st place several times and medaled many more. He is Fechtered in the MFFG in all three books of the sword: Longsword, Dussack, and Rapier.
Shane HillenInstructor
Cameron Metcalf has been an active competitor in HEMA tournaments since 2017. He studies Joachim Meyer's German tradition of swordsmanship with a focus on longsword, dagger, and ringen. Before founding WMSA Cameron was an instructor at Grand Valley State University HEMA.
Cameron MetcalfInstructor
Brent Bloem is a Scholar of The Black Falcon School of Arms. He has been fencing since 2006 and has studied both England's Harleian longsword and Fiore Dei Liberi's Armizare. Before founding WMSA, Brent was an instructor at Waubonsie Historic Swordsmanship and Grand Valley State University HEMA.
Brent BloemInstructor
Ehren Wynder has been involved in historical fencing since late 2017 and is a practitioner primarily of Spanish rapier and German longsword fencing. Active in both HEMA and the SCA, He has amassed a handful of accolades from the SCA and holds a 2nd Dan black belt in Tang Soo Do.
Ehren WynderInstructor
Centerline Sword School 2020 © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Menu footage courtesy of Grand Rapids Drone Co.