Terra Nova School of Swords
*Announcement* March 12
Get ready to spring into action with our upcoming 8-week Spring semester, commencing on April 15th!
Mark your calendars because membership for the Spring semester will be available for purchase starting April 8th.
Stay tuned for updates on our Classes and Schedule pages as we unveil our latest lineup of 8-week workshops.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to embrace growth and learning this Spring!
we are proud to be the first and only historical fencing school in NL
Welcome to Terra Nova School of Swords, situated in the heart of St. John's on O'Leary Avenue, conveniently adjacent to the Avalon Mall. We extend a warm welcome to individuals aged 8 and above, inviting everyone to embark on an enriching training experience with us.
Our offerings cater to a broad spectrum of age groups, encompassing specialized classes for children, youth, adults, and mixed-age sessions. Additionally, we provide unique opportunities such as birthday parties and private lessons, ensuring a personalized and enjoyable learning journey for each participant.
At Terra Nova School of Swords, we pride ourselves on fostering a safe and inclusive environment. Our students delve into the intricate world of diverse medieval and Renaissance weapon styles, including longsword, rapier, smallsword, sword & buckler, saber, and more. Embrace the art of historical weaponry within a community that values diversity, safety, and the joy of shared exploration.
Everyone is welcome to train, from beginners to expert martial artists, no matter what your age, gender or background may be.
EXPLORE
classes
meet the founder
Phil Swift has studied Martial Arts since the age of 8, and has been studying the art of the sword since 2015.
His first sword mentor Aaron Miedema taught him the art of Giganti's Italian rapier and as a young SCAdian Phil expanded his fencing technique under the guidance of Master Lucien Featherstone (Jason Ealy).
However, Phil quickly learned that his passion lay in Spanish rapier, La Verdadera Destreza and he continued his education by studying with leaders of the Destreza community including Jim Lai, Doug Kozlowski, and Sebastian Romagnan.
In 2018, Phil became certified in the world HEMA alliance as an instructor with specialization in Destreza. While in Michigan, he founded the Lansing Community College HEMA Fencing club and taught young aspiring martial artists Spanish True School rapier.
Since his move to Newfoundland in September 2018, he has reignited the local SCA community and established the Terra Nova School of Swords, joining the MSS family of clubs. Phil is passionate about expanding his teachings to the younger up and coming fencers of Newfoundland.
