Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) involves studying and practicing historical European fighting techniques and mastering the art in order to know this form of martial arts but also to equip yourself with a historical form of self-defence.
Bobby van Essen’s love for HEMA sparked when he received his first sword when he was 16 years old. “That sparked my love for swords and sword collecting. After that I started sports fencing in 1988 and I have fenced ever since,” Van Essen said.
In 2014, Van Essen was chosen to represent South Africa’s fencing team at the Common Wealth Games in Scotland. In 2022, he started a HEMA course that is an easy transition from sports fencing to historical fencing and he has been coaching, teaching, as well as practicing HEMA.
Van Essen describes HEMA as a relatively young martial arts sports that is diverse as it encompasses various weapons such as swords, bucklers, rapier, sabre and the well-known longsword.
The HEMA coach is quite confident that Bloemfontein residents would be enthusiastic about HEMA since Bloemfontein has the oldest sports fencing club in South Africa.
Van Essen’s HEMA club operates from the school hall of Rosenhof School in Fichardt Park, Bloemfontein.
“To kickstart this HEMA club, I have decided to launch a Military Sabre Course, starting the 5th of June, running for 12 weeks, every Wednesday from 18h00 to 20h00. There will be an info session on the 15th of May 2024, also at Rosenhof,” concluded Van Essen.
For more information on these courses, contact Bobby van Essen at 083-288-6902.
Abigail Visagie
