River Falls Freifechter
Historical Fencing in the Kinnickinnic Valley
River Falls Freifechter
Historical Fencing in the Kinnickinnic Valley
About River Falls Freifechter
Our History
The River Falls Freifechter organization began with a small, humble gathering of like-minded history and martial arts enthusiasts in a back yard on a rainy evening in April of 2016. A question many people who love both history and martial arts have asked for hundreds of years - "How did people in the past actually fight?" - led to a connection with the Meyer Freifechter Guild and a passionate study of the works of Joachim Meyer of 1570 Strasbourg. We have trained in many different places in River Falls, where you might have seen us at UWRF, in Glen Park and Wells Park, and now in our new home of Victory Training Center on Main street.
We are an organization also dedicated to being a safe place for LGBTQ+ people and other commonly discriminated-against peoples. Our code of conduct is very specific that discriminatory speech or actions are prohibited, and we take very seriously our commitment to our club being welcome and safe for all kinds of people, except those who threaten that safety. The historical martial arts of Europe unfortunately draw some people interested in that martial culture for racist, chauvanist, and ultra-nationalist reasons, and we do not tolerate those even remotely.
Our Classes
At River Falls Freifechter, we offer weekly classes in the historical fencing arts of Joachim Meyer, utilizing primarily his book written in 1570. Classes are two hours long on Saturdays from 12-2pm, with technique instruction in longsword, rapier, and other weapons followed by coached and supervised free fencing time.
We strongly welcome people to simply come and see what we do, no appointment necessary.
Our Instructors
River Falls Freifechter is led by Nate Goree, the founder of the organization and the creator of fencing in River Falls when it was just a strange idea. He is a martial arts practitioner of over 20 years and an active fencer since 2015. He has trained in Tae Kwon Do, Hwa Rang Do, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, modern MMA, and Haidong Gumdo, as well as having traveled to study with a wide variety of skilled historical fencing practitioners of many disciplines. He has earned a black sash in Hwa Rang Do and the Fechter ranks for Longsword and Dusack in the Meyer Freifechter Guild. His passion is for the longsword, rapier, and wrestling material of the Renaissance.
Madeline Weber is another veteran martial artist with Hwa Rang Do, Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, and historical fencing training, and is another Longsword Fechter ranked teacher. She brings her experience in teaching martial arts to younger people to our organization, and excels in introducing foundational concepts to fresh fencers.
Contact Us
Victory Training Center
125 1/2 N Main St, River Falls, WI 54022
Hours
Today | Closed |
