En Garde FoamWorks

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Foam weapon fun.

https://www.facebook.com/247895578656748/posts/2485197881593162/

Family night out is in full swing! We are booked tonight so be sure to get your spot for December 14th! #familynightout #fun #swords #nerf #date night #familyfriendly

Hey En Garde Foamworks, Why make foam weapons and Why train with foam weapons at all?

This is a great question. I have been instructing martial arts and weapon systems to children for 27 years and a student for 42 years. Speaking for myself, I want to start teaching children formally at 7 years of age. There are some real world difficulties that arise and need solving to perform this objective.

Liability insurance for myself or establishment does not have a problem with foam, but wood, synthetics and metal are not viable choices. I couldn't agree more, Children want to engage something the second an “instrument” is placed in their hand, so it had better be safe.
Foam weapons are not made to feel like a weapon. This has been one of the biggest struggles for me as an instructor. At En Garde Foamworks, our weapons resemble the weight, specs, dimensions and balance of the weapon we are simulating. We even take into consideration the Height and measurements of the user for custom items. We are constantly trying to be better. We get excellent feedback from our clients and we listen. Everything I have ever bought or made out of cheap materials, felt like a baseball bat or a Wiffle ball bat. Weights are all wrong, ratios are all wrong and they don't last more than a few hours of real life use.
Future of the sport and our livelihood. Let's be honest, if your make a living as an instructor and or gym owner or both, if you don't have clients, that is it. I want to get children started early so that not only do they get the maximum life benefits but they are hooked for life. I was hooked as a child and training has served me all my life. I see a lot of clubs with members that are 18 to 22 and then 45 to 55 with nothing in the middle or beginning.
Gear is expensive. I only want to use my tournament gear during the tournament. No, practicing in your kit does not make you a better fighter. If you can't do it in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt…..you can't do it. I could replace a broken $700 sword or a $35 to $65 foam weapon. In our club we have Steel, wood, synthetic and foam. Approximately 30% or our foam weapons get replaced/repaired once every year. They are used by all age groups for several hours a day 7 days a week.