Medieval Combat with Foam Weapons (Free & Beginner-Friendly)

Ever wanted to sword fight like a fantasy hero?
Come try fast-paced, full-contact medieval foam combat. It is free, beginner-friendly, and welcoming. No experience or gear required.

This is a weekly practice for Belegarth, a medieval fantasy combat sport using safe, padded foam weapons. We fight, laugh, train, and hang out, and newcomers are always welcome.

What happens when you show up?
We’ll get you geared up with a foam sword and shield

Learn the basics in about 5–10 minutes
Jump into team battles with experienced fighters
Take breaks, watch, ask questions, or jump in at your own pace

You can participate as much, or as little, as you want.

Is it safe?
Yes. All weapons are padded foam, rules are strictly enforced, and safety comes first. Most people are surprised by how safe and approachable it feels.

Hits can sting, but pain is brief and part of the adrenaline, similar to paintball, but way less intense.

Who is this for?
Perfect for:

People looking for a fun, active thing to do on a Sunday
Fantasy fans, gamers, cosplayers, and nerds of all kinds
Folks who miss playground sword fights
Anyone curious and willing to try something new

You do not need to be athletic, experienced, or in costume.

What to bring?

Comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty
Closed-toe shoes
Water

That’s it. We provide the weapons, shields, and instruction.

Inclusive & welcoming community
We are an inclusive, queer-friendly community and welcome people of all backgrounds, identities, and experience levels. Respect and fun come first.

Age requirements

Fighters must be at least 13 years old to participate
We recommend ages 16+ for most newcomers due to the physical nature of the sport

Spectators of all ages are welcome.

About attendance
You might notice a small number of RSVPs here as all of our regular fighters don’t use Meetup. We typically have 15–25 people at practice every week, and there’s always someone available to help new folks get started.

Want to join the community?
For weather updates, last-minute changes, and community chat:

Join our Discord: (https://discord.gg/RuRkwzVHDn)
Follow us on Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/groups/durdemarion)
Learn more on our website: (https://www.durdemarion.com/)

Meetup is just the on-ramp and our community lives in those spaces.