Women Fighters

By Sloan Brooks

My first experiences with armored combat was when I was 15 years old. It was only soft kit LARPING, but I loved it. I played with my older brother and all of his friends in the back yard and I got really good at it. Problem was, (in my parents eyes), I was a girl and fighting with swords was not lady like. But it started a passion in me and I always hoped one day to fight with a real sword.

Then one day I met Cat Brooks. We got into a conversation about sword fighting and suddenly a whole new world opened up to me. Its not a perfect world for women in the sport of armored combat. Participating with men gives us more then one road block. But women in sword fighting are here, and we are here to stay!

Challenges for women fighters;

1. Getting armor that fits. Most armor being sold out there is really geared for the male body and not the female. Shoulders are too broad, hips are too narrow and chest plates that fit over a woman’s figure tends to draw in too much and pull protection away from the shoulders. Modifying as best you can with custom made C-Belts and leather straps is your best defense. Also learning how to do as much of the harness tweaking yourself is a real plus. But also talk to your local armorer. Often they can help with the work-a-rounds.
2. Another challenge I find are people questioning my motives or even trying to talk me out of fighting. For instance people saying your only here because you are trying to find a boyfriend or because your boyfriend fights. Or, you’re a woman, its too dangerous for you. The “naysayers” are always going to be out there. You have to be confident that this is something you want to pursue and just do it. Back in 2012 when the USA first went to Poland to fight internationally, women were not even allowed on the field, much less fight. We have come a long way since then. We are changing public opinion every time we fight.
3. The biggest challenge is the lack of other women fighters. If you want to set up an all women’s tournament it is difficult to get us together. This is changing slowly as more women fall in love with the sport, but until then it means fighting with men if you want to improve your skill. Men are bigger, stronger, and seem to move faster in armor than women do. But with training I feel that we can develop more stamina and techniques. Personally, I love fighting with the men, it has made me a better fighter.

Positives;

1. The first big reward to being a part of this sport is the community and teammates that come with it. I have never met such an amazing, accepting and inspiring group of people. The loyalty and support for each other is astounding.
2. Finding your limits both physically and mentally is a huge part of this sport, but I can’t tell you how much confidence one achieves from hitting a grown man in the head with an ax. It’s like you have a secret that no one knows, walking down the street. When you put that helmet on and face down your opponents, the world goes silent. It’s just you and them on the battlefield with your team at your back. There’s nothing I’ve experienced quite like it.
3. I find that the most significant reward is helping other women. Inspiring women to be the best versions of themselves, both physically and mentally, on and off the field. Being someone that people can look up to has been the greatest gift I could receive from this sport, or life in general.