Hello everyone,

A few months ago we decided to allow newly registered users to activate their own accounts via an email link. This was done because it became tedious to constantly check for, verify and activate new user accounts; and new registrations started piling up as we became too lazy to deal with them.

Unfortunately the open registrations caught the attention of spammers all over the world. It took but a few months for our once peaceful forum to become Spam Central (mostly in the form of ads hidden in user profiles), spoiling the experience of a nice clean forum and also making me want to kill people.

So... today I deleted 50+ spam user accounts and set up a brand new user invitation system. Effective immediately, it is no longer possible to register on the MACS Forums without an invitation from an already registered member. Registered users are welcome to request invitations from me or another admin user using the PM system or via email (please include your username). After an admin member has given you an invite, you can send it to anyone via the User Control Panel. The invited user can then register using their unique invitation code. Their newly registered account will be activated immediately and automatically.

Thanks to everyone who alerted me whenever spam messages popped up in the past. I hope the new system works well. And I hope this will be the end of spam on the forums. Comments / suggestions are welcome.

Regards,

Dear all,

Our first Saturday competitive sparring session will be held on February the 5th at 10am.

Here's the concept:

We would like to incentivise people to take part in competitive sparring, but we realise everybody will not be able to make every session. We also realise that some weapons have fewer devotees, but those people still want to fight. Therefore, we will institute a "league" setup to run parallel to the individual tournaments. Tournament bouts count for league standings, but competitive fights held outside of a tournament setup also count for league standings. Thus, if three people want to fight sword and buckler, they can as league bouts, rather than as a tournament (3 people in a tournament seems a little low...). Thus we have winners of individual tournaments, and winners of leagues run over a complete year.

We currently have the following weapons: longsword, single sword, sword and buckler, steel rapier, steel rapier and dagger. Armoured combat would be nice, as would staff, but doesn't make much sense at the moment. Thus we have five leagues in which to compete, and we can add an overall league as well. Hannes will work out the exact mechanics of the league, but you will be awarded points according to the ranking gap between you and your opponent- i.e. you get less points if you beat somebody below you on the ladder, more if they are above you. In order to be in the running for the end of the year, you must fight a certain number of fights in each league.

We hope to hold 20 competitive sparring sessions during the year (roughly 1 every two weeks). Owing to the Roberts's move to the new house, sessions will be held on the 5th and 26th of February. There will be a longsword tournament each of these days, and then time for other league sparring.

Competitive bout rules:
1) A competitive bout consists of 10 passes.
2) A pass is concluded when a definitive hit has been delivered. However, if a definitive hit is immediately followed by a counterhit (afterblow) delivered after, the counterhit will mark the end of the pass.
3) Each bout should be judged by 2 or more people, who will also act as safety marshalls. The judges are allowed to consult with the fighters about whether a hit landed, but can overrule the fighters if they had a clear view. At least 2 judges must agree on a hit before it is awarded. If there is no agreement, that pass is refought. Ideally 4 judges should be used. Any judge can yell "Halt" when a hit is seen, but it is recommended the action be allowed to contine for a few seconds after a hit.
4) A formal scoresheet with the results will be submitted to the league co-ordinator after each bout.
5) Rules for the scoring of points can vary from weekend to weekend, but 10 scored passes should eliminate any judging discrepancies.

Rules for this Saturday:
1) All areas are valid, as are all moves.
2) Hits to the area above the shoulders (i.e. the head and tops of the shoulders) count 3 points, as this is a vital area to protect.
3) Hits to the legs below the hips (clear leg hits) count 2 points, as these areas are difficult to attack safely.
4) Hits to the arms and torso count 1 point.
5) Successful throws and disarms are worth 2 points.
6) Points are scored against the hit person (i.e. you get hit on the head, 3 points are scored against you)
7) If a double hit or afterblow is delivered, both points are scored as per the rules above. Thus, if you hit my legs and I then hit your head, you have 3 points scored against you, and I have 2 points scored against me.
8) The winner after 10 passes is the person who has lost least points.

Hope that is clear, hope to see you there

Dear all,

MACS classes will recommence on Monday the 10th. The schedule is as follows:

Longsword
6pm till 8pm at Museum Park. Classes will be run slightly differently this year, with a greater focus on sparring. Anja and Christof will be in charge of Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

Other weapons/ Freifechter classes
Mondays from 5.30 to 8.30pm. Initially at Museum Park, but moving to Chateau Roberts later this year. Advanced students only, talk to James for more info.

Beginners
We would like to take a new approach to beginners this year. Interested beginners are asked to attend a workshop over a weekend before joining the main classes. James will take these workshops. First workshop is scheduled for Saturday the 15th, and a second can be scheduled for later in January.

At last. We finally have a confirmed date and venue for the medieval fayre.
The second Tshwane Medieval Fayre will be held at Toutrekpark on the 6th of November 2010. The fayre will be hosting armoured fighting and displays of medieval weaponry skills. Stunt shows will be performed on the day. A medieval village will have displays of olden day crafts such as blacksmithing and armoury. There will be a medieval type flea market, good food and a beer tent with live music. Highland dancers, fire-dancers, jesters, wizards and all sorts of other medievally type entertainment. Come, and let’s make this a day to remember! R40 gets you in if you’re all grown up, and R25 if you’re under 12. Family groups of 4 or more qualify for discount.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=237362077613

It's that time of year again! The Irish Ale House is having its Solstice Beer Festival on May 29th, and we're going along to provide flavour (and consume beer!). We have a slot at 11am to display our skills, and I'd like the following displays:

1) Anja and Francois- German Longsword
2) David and Bevan- Rapier
3) Bernard and Bennie- Staff
4) Christof and James- Armoured combat

Hope everybody remembers the way, but here's the website for good measure:

http://www.irishpub.co.za/

Should be fun like always!