Obrewhauw 2025

Obrewhau returns with a fun twist to your normal tournaments! This year the event will be a sword-in-one-hand tournament while fencing with a mug (of water) as an additional scoring condition. Head cuts and ending ‘water points’ will be the only scoring options per round (see below for an explanation). This is meant to provoke some different approaches and styles to fencing and most importantly try and harbor a healthy level of fun amongst the competitors. Due to the nature of this event, we are not allowing sabers or rapiers. Instead, sword-in-one-hand for this event means dussacks, messers, arming swords, broadswords etc.

While we know that breaks some hearts, we’re hoping this encourages some weapons that don’t see as much use and for the event itself we hope this fosters the aesthetic of fencing we’re going for (for a silly mug swinging event that it is).

Tournament rules

Fencers will begin in pools, with each fencer competing round-robin-style against everyone in their pools. Matches will be best-of-four passes with points awarded for head cuts and the fencer with the most water left in their cup after all 4 passes. The elimination round will likewise comprise of matches with the best-of-four passes as well as points awarded to the fencer with the most water left in their cup after all 4 passes.

Matches and scoring

Every match in pools is four passes with the head as the only scoring target (worth 1 point). Fencer will reset after each successful pass. In the event of a double-hit – if both fencers strike one another mid-tempo – neither fencer will score, but this still counts as a pass.

Additionally, points will be awarded to the fencer with the most water left in their mug after 4 passes. This does mean that the mug, while a valid target will not score until the end of the round with 2 pts awarded to the fencer with the most water in their cup during pools. These ‘water points’ will be worth 3 pts during elimination rounds.

Punching, kicking, knee or elbow strikes will not be allowed and will result in a verbal warning in the first incident. Sword strikes delivered with excessive force – such force that a fencer could be injured through their gear – will be given a verbal warning in the first incident. Further incidents will result in penalties at the judge’s discretion up to expulsion from the tournament. In short- don’t be an ass.

Fencers are encouraged to remain holding on to their mug, however in the event that a mug is destroyed, or knocked out of a fencers hands the match is not over. The fencer no longer equipped with a mug however will not receive any “water points”.

While rounds are scored to determine the winner of a single match, all points are cumulative across matches to determine who will qualify for elims.

These rules are not meant to portray "realistic" sword combat, but rather to promote good fencing, playful rules, crisp movements, and lighthearted fun.

Judging

Matches will, for the most part, be self-judged, meaning fencers must rely on one another’s integrity to determine who got the point, or if a round needs to be refought. A center judge will preside over each ring to give commands and to resolve disputes between fencers. In the event of a dispute, the center judge gets the final call.

Fencers will report their wins to the scoring table after each match.

Grappling

Grappling will not be allowed for this tournament. Floors will be a little wet, water will be sloshing around even more on your stuff if we do allow it, and frankly this ruleset isn’t about grappling. Judges will call a halt in the event of two fencers engaged in a grapple.

Schedule

12:30 - Gear Check Starts

1:00 - Rules Explanation followed by Tournament start

3:30 - Awards and teardown

4:00 - Drinks and food at Vandermill

Gear requirements

All gear must be in working order and will be inspected for any defects/damage prior to the tournament. We reserve the right to disallow anyone from competing because of unsafe gear.

• Mask (Minimum 350N fencing mask with back of the head protection)

• Gorget (Steel, leather, plastic or some other such rigid material that covers the neck and collar bone)

• Gambeson (padded jacket like a SPES or historic fencing gambeson 350N is recommended)

• Rigid protection for elbows and knees.

• Men must wear an athletic cup.

• Heavy fencing gloves such as Sparring Gloves, SPES heavies or some other such gloves are encouraged. Rapier gloves however at a bare minimum are required. We understand that while the weapons being used will have a healthy amount of hand protection, your hand holding the mug will not. We have tried to get mugs that will accommodate any fencing glove to allow for the maximum amount of protection especially to the more vulnerable off hand.

• Shin and forearm guards are recommended.

Weapon Requirements

Steel one handed weapons that aren’t rapiers or sabers. Dussack, broadswords, arming swords, messers, etc. are all kosher. In short, we’re looking for robust blades and guards/hilts. Have a question on a weapon- just ask!

Recommended sword brands include:

VB

Regenyei

Chlebowski

Ensifer

Sigi Forge

Kvetun Armory

Arms & Armor

Castille Armory

Pavel Moc

Black Fencer

Contact us if you do not see your sword's manufacturer listed here.

Competitors must wear athletic shoes in good condition. Shoes with holes or soles falling apart will not be allowed.

Be sure to bring your picture ID to prove you are at least 18 years old. Saftey waivers will be onsite to sign on the day of the event.

Host or Publisher Centerline Sword School