At its heart Baer Swords is a HEMA school - Historical European Martial Arts. That's the primary focus of the program and it's the tradition that shapes how classes are taught, how sparring is run, and how progression works. HEMA is the thread that connects the school's competitive presence with its recreational classes, and it's the reason Baer Swords carries the reputation it does across the Midwest.
A school with real competitive presence
You don't have to take our word for the school's credibility - HEMA Ratings, the international ranking body for HEMA fighters, lists 74 registered fighters at Baer Swords. That's a lot of active tournament competitors coming out of a single Kansas City school. It's also why SwordStrong KC, the school's annual tournament, is a natural fit for the region - the fighters are already here.
But you don't have to compete to belong here
The important thing about the HEMA program is that the same class fits people who never plan to enter a tournament and people who intend to podium at SwordStrong KC. Baer's own framing - "we push more towards health and fun while sword fighting rather than the win at all costs kind of feel" - means the class is welcoming to newcomers who just want to train, and the school still delivers serious coaching to the students who want the competitive path.
The Historical European Martial Arts program at the heart of the school - with 74 registered HEMA Ratings fighters coming out of a single Kansas City club.