Jody Stewart and his son started sword fighting at home when he was just five years old.

            The pair practiced for years.

            They had looked into taking sword fighting classes together.

            But two years ago, his son died tragically in a kayaking accident when he was 23 years old.

            After a year of grieving, Stewart found an ad for Maritime Sword School.

            “I'd be bugging him anyways to do it, so I may as well try it, and so here I am.”

            One year later, Stewart is now a member of Maritime Sword School Charlottetown and is looking forward to seeing new members.

            The school started its first intro course of the year on Feb. 2.

            Rafael Aguirre, the lead coach of the school, is teaching historical fencing twice a week for six weeks at St. James Presbyterian Church in Charlottetown.

            The intro course uses historical manuscripts dating back to the 19th century to guide techniques using sabres, said Aguirre.

            “What we do is try to draw from all those different sources, both old and modern, to come up with a proper interpretation of how to fight within the context of historical fencing.”

            He added the classes are going well, with six new members having joined since the course began.

            “It is satisfying to be able to teach something that's very unique to a brand new crew of people,” Aguirre said.

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            Classes start with proper posture and footwork before working up to basic fencing techniques using wooden practice sabres.

            Aguirre said participants can spar safely with each other at the end of the course using the techniques they learned.

            “They are very technical but also simple enough that a small group can learn relatively fast.”

            After participants finish the course, coaches help them buy their own gear.

            It is normal for students to be nervous during their first few classes, Aguirre said.

            “We kind of design our classes in a way that's going to let them move at their own pace, so if they feel intimidated, we don't throw too much at them from the beginning.”

            The intro course costs $100. Afterward, students can register as a member of the school for $60 a month.

            Students can learn how to use different weapons and equipment after completing the intro course.

            In addition to swords, intro students also have access to protective equipment like padded jackets, gloves and masks.

            Experienced students must use full protection when sparring with larger weapons like longswords, said Aguirre.

            “We have Braveheart channelers here.”

            The sword school provides good exercise for its members due to the footwork and heavy equipment involved.

            Aguirre also experiments by having teams of students battle each other, or spar with differing weapons.

            “We try to have fun as long as safety allows it.”

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             Jody Stewart has a lot of fun at the school.

            “It's great because I found other people that enjoy the sport just as much, and (it’s) very easygoing.”

            He encourages others interested in joining Maritime Sword School to not be anxious, as instructors start with the basics and work with other students’ paces.

            “It's not like you're getting thrown into the fire and everyone's rough and just wanting to fight. It's a little more (that) we're here to have fun.”

            Aguirre has plans to grow the school further.

            An additional intro course will be hosted in April.

            The school will also return to the Atlantic Entertainment Expo, a convention where they will demonstrate sword techniques, in March.

            “That momentum from the (Atlantic) Expo has helped us out the last couple of years,” he said.

            One of Aguirre’s goals is to host a tournament in Charlottetown designed for historical fencers.

            Maritime Sword School participated in past tournaments in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It also has schools in Moncton and St. John’s.

            “We kind of want to make Charlottetown part of (those) wider historical fencing communities.”

Jody Stewart joined Maritime Sword School Charlottetown last year and has enjoyed building relationships with its members. He says the school is focused on having fun and encourages others to become a member. Blaine Auld photo.