Swashbuckling students tackle sword lessons at American German Club

The Palm Beach Sword School, which is based at the American German Club in Lake Worth, has provided an opportunity for children and adults to learn about Historical European Martial Arts and enjoy training classes from experienced instructors.

The Palm Beach Sword School recently had a beginner-level swordfighting class as new students were introduced to European Martial Arts. The class featured training in the Scottish broadsword, which is the sword used in “Rob Roy” and “Outlander.” Attracting nearly 30 participants, the class also provided an opportunity for beginners to see a demonstration from current students and use other weaponry.

The Palm Beach Sword

School provides instruction to students on how to handle swords and weaponry from European history.

The students work with training manuals that were used to teach soldiers of the Scottish regiments in the 18th and 19th centuries. The initial training period features students learning weaponry, including broadsword and targe, dirk and polearms. The students then advance in training to learn the buckler, sickle, messer, bayonet, longsword, spear, rapier, flail, Viking shield, cutlass and sabre.

Ben Kerr is the senior lead instructor at the Palm Beach Sword School. He started as a European Martial Arts instructor in Scotland in 2007 and started the Palm Beach Sword School in 2018. They had eight students initially and the school has grown with up to 70 students.

“When we started out, we didn’t know what to expect and it’s great to see it growing,” Kerr said. “We have a lot of students who started at the beginning and they are still with us.”

The students have included children from age 13 to adults over 60. The Palm Beach Sword School has seven active instructors.

“It’s great to see when families are in the classes together,” Kerr said. “We have parents and children, married couples, boyfriends and girlfriends and groups of friends. It’s a lot of fun for all of them.”

The Palm Beach Sword School will have a beginner class April 2 at the American German Club, 5111 Lantana Road. The school holds beginner classes on Saturdays from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and advanced classes from 4 to 6 p.m.

Visit palmbeachhema.com.