It’s not a tournament…

It’s more than just a sparring day…

then what is it?

Rising tides is a love letter to HEMA.

The first in a series of events dedicated to a full day of celebrating the arts and the community. With things like:

January 17th 9AM - 6PM

4100 Metric dr. ste 800

winter park, fl 32792

Special guest instructors

We have a packed and I mean PACKED roster of instructors coming in from all across the state of Florida.

I’m talking about combined decades of martial arts knowledge, One-on-ones, feedback, and sparring with subject matter experts of their systems.

All 6 classes are included inside the purchase of a single ticket and open to all guests!

More Info!
A man in a blue vest and black shirt holding a sword, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Eric Lowe

⚔︎ Crossroads Swords

Class: (Two swords) Few May Be Found

  • Eric has been doing HEMA for over ten years. He is the author of The Use of Medieval Weaponry and the founder of Swordwind Historical Swordsmanship in Charlotte, NC. He teaches multiple weapons across German and Italian traditions, including the longsword, sword and buckler, sword and dagger, sword and cape, two swords, sword and shield, dagger, spear, spear and shield, bill, glaive, halberd, and poleaxe.

A man dressed in historical fencing attire, holding a sword and wearing a white jacket, standing outdoors near trees.

jorge puentes pucheux

⚔︎ Living Steel/Miami historical fencing academy

Class: (SMallsword) of the weak and the strong

  • Born in Cuba, 1998, Jorge began his fencing journey at age 11 in Yucatán, Mexico. He started in foil before transitioning to épée, competing in various national selectives and Olympiads. As an épée fencer, he trained at CARD (Centro de Alto Rendimiento Deportivo), a specialized athletic development school.

    At 16, Jorge developed a strong interest in historical fencing and began studying smallsword traditions independently, starting with P.J.F. Girard and eventually focusing on the systems of Angelo and de la Touche. One year later, he became an assistant instructor and later moved to the United States, where he opened a smallsword program for students of all ages at D’Scala Art Academy.

    Today, Jorge is an épée coach and smallsword instructor at Davis Fencing Academy, continuing to teach, study, and promote the historical roots of fencing.

A man wearing a black athletic shirt with an emblem on the chest and black gloves, holding a wooden stick in a gym or training studio with wooden walls, surrounded by other people in workout gear.

Alec Martinez

⚔︎ Crossroads Swords

Class: (Fight Psychology) combat and cornering: keeping a cool head when someone wants you dead

  • Alec has instructed martial arts since 2009, having served as a coach in Muay Thai, MMA, Krav Maga, and a variety of systems in HEMA throughout his combat sports career.  He has attained a Top 5 International Ranking in The Saber Legion's Standard and Exotic Sabers categories, with medals in Standard, Exotics, and Tag Team categories. As well as numerous medals in weapons like saber, rapier, rapier and dagger, and sword and buckler. Alec has authored two books, La Academia del Sable de Luz, a manual on the topic of the combat sport based around LED Saber as well as well as The Book & the Blade, a system agnostic manual on contextualizing the fundamental principles across multiple systems.

A man with a beard and short hair wearing a blue T-shirt, holding a stick on his shoulder, standing in front of a wall-mounted rack with bows.

Keith Hamm

⚔︎ Bold city longsword

Class: (Rapier & Dagger) the reason god gave us two hands

  • Keith started fencing a long time ago and has done all the bad fencing things so you don't have to. Part of Bold City Longsword since its inception, Keith has been bothering hema people for ten years.

A man wearing a black racing jacket and gloves, standing outdoors against a blurred green background, with a serious expression and his hand on his chest.

Victor Rodriguez

⚔︎ Living Meyer

Class: (Longsword) Meyer Two handed

  • Victor began his journey into historical fencing under the guidance of Mike Cartier and the dedicated group at the park, where he quickly developed a deep love for this ancient art. Over the years, that passion has only grown allowing them to combine their expertise as a licensed physical therapist with their deep understanding of the texts. Their unique blend of physical therapy and fencing provides a strong foundation in both body mechanics and historical techniques, for beginners and vets alike. A unique take that lets them bring a modern perspective to centuries-old practices.

A medieval-style heraldic shield with a green dragon and blue decorative elements, featuring the words 'Leviathan' and 'Historical Fencing' at the top.

charles boda

⚔︎ Leviathan historical fencing

Class: (One handed sword) Dynamic Measure

  • Charles Boda is an instructor at Leviathan Historical Fencing, teaches advanced theory and application through his solo instruction, and has been refining measure through historical sources and practical application in thousands of fights. He wants to fight you right now.

A swapmeet

Do you have a pair of gloves you don’t use anymore? Maybe a jacket that’s always been a bit too big?

A messer that you just HAD to have a year ago but now it spends more time collecting dust than it does denting masks…

Bring it!

trade it!

sell it!

Rising Tides will be hosting an experimental gear swap meet. A place to sell and trade gear!

Get Tickets!

Vendors

featuring Local vendors and craftspoeple selling patches, art, custom brand name gear, and more!

applications opening soon.

THE VENUE

PRETTY SICK, RIGHT?

Martial arts training room with students practicing sparring with pads and gloves, surrounded by equipment and supplies.
Inside a martial arts training facility with people practicing martial arts, wearing protective gear, on blue and red interlocking foam mats.
People practicing fencing in an indoor gym with padded floors, foam swords, and martial arts equipment.
Empty interior space with windows, tables, and chairs, sunlight on the floor, white walls.
Empty waiting area with black chairs, small round tables, and a display of trophies and sports equipment by the window in a brightly lit room.

Feelin’ Salty?

Get Tickets!