WHAT IS LIGHTSPEED SABER ACADEMY?
Lightspeed Saber Academy is the official home of Lightspeed Saber League, the world’s fastest light-based fencing. Born from multiple local clubs combining into one, LSA is LA and Orange County’s best source of light-based fencing instruction.
At LSA, you learn the proper use of a realistic plasma sword, expressed in a competitive sport of our own design. While the simulation can only go so far with considerations to fair play and safety, you won’t find a more realistic expression of this hypothetical martial art anywhere else in the world.
We believe in exploration, learning, camaraderie, constructive competition, and self-improvement.
HOW DO CLASSES WORK AT LIGHTSPEED SABER ACADEMY?
Every class is divided into three sections: warmup/stretching, lessons, then sparring. Each class is about 80 minutes long. Lessons, warmups, and activities vary every day.
At the start of every session, all students do a 2-5 minute warmup, followed by stretching.
After the stretch, students do an organized spar, fencing with everyone else in the gym at least once.
After sparring is done, the fencers split up into the beginners/novices and intermediates/advanced for the lesson of the day
Once lessons are finished, the class is over and the students go into open floor, where fencers or all levels mingle for practice or whatever they feel like doing.
In the last 15-20 minutes of sessions, an optional strength and cardio workout is launched, to try to wipe everyone out before going home!
IS THIS JUST TRADITIONAL FENCING BUT WITH A “LIGHTSABER”?
Not at all. While the combat bares the most similarity to traditional fencing based solely on the weight of the weapon, the rules are designed to generate a completely different kind of play, with different strategies, techniques, options, and character.
Our sport emphasizes visual comprehensibility and spectator enjoyment, without sacrificing authenticity and realism. Our signature is the unguarded nature of the weapon, which lacks any sort of hand protection (crossguard, bellguard, or tsuba), making it a challenge even for those with prior weapon experience.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH THE SKILLS I ACQUIRE AT LSA?
Like learning any sport, you are gaining speed, agility, strategy, fitness, endurance, and many other skills. While we believe these are valuable benefits in and of themselves, we are primarily geared toward producing Lightspeed competitors who will move on to test their abilities against other Lightspeed fencers around the world and secure their place in the international competitive ladder.
The sport is growing, though still small, so it’s very possible to make it to the top in a short time! NOW is the time to begin.
Not sure you’re into competing? Don’t worry. You can do that if and when you are ready. And when you are, you will begin in novice divisions, and slowly earn your way up.
WHAT ELSE HAPPENS AT LSA BESIDES TOURNAMENTS?
Tournaments occur monthly at LSA. But we also put effort into varying our classes for maximum engagement for our members. Rotating class themes include super workout nights, game nights, lightsaber dodgeball, physical training nights, traditional steel fencing nights, electronic knife nights, practice tournaments, team fight nights, and disco fight nights!
We also do outings outside the the academy for movies and conventions!
HOW DO I START WITH LIGHTSPEED SABER ACADEMY?
The best way to start is to book a beginner class and see if it’s for you. All equipment will be provided.
At this time you must be 10 or older to participate, or otherwise be deemed mature enough to participate.
If you decide to stay and get trained, then we’d love to have you! Speak to an instructor or academy officer about joining.
WHAT’S OUR FACILITY LIKE?
Lightspeed Saber Academy boasts 5000 sq ft of space with 7 sparring lanes, 3 competition boxes, 2 changing rooms, a bathroom, a lounge area, 5 pullup bars, three lifting platforms, and a squat rack. We also have a water station, streaming cameras, a refrigerator and freezer with snack table, and air conditioning.
Photos taken by @jmecate_photography.
Still got questions? Contact us.
