About Us
OCHS was founded in 2022 by five friends who were passionate about the study and practice of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). Since then, OCHS has grown into a thriving community of students who are dedicated to exploring and reviving ancient martial arts.
Our club is a friendly and open space where students are free to learn at their own pace and become a part of the growing international HEMA community. We teach from both the Italian and German schools of swordsmanship, providing a well-rounded and tournament-friendly skill set for our students. Our goal is to give our fighters the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in competitions and to provide a deep understanding of the art of sword fighting. Lessons are as much a history lecture as a martial art class.
We invite you to join us and discover the world of HEMA. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced martial artist, we have something to offer at OCHS. Come and visit us, and become a part of our growing community of historical fencers.
Instructors
Alex McFarlin, pictured here with his girlfriend Klaire, is a founding member and current President of OCHS. He was born and raised in California, and began his study of HEMA at the Devenriche European Martial Art School (DEMAS) in San Jose. He has been practicing longsword for 8 years and teaching for 3.