Today we’d like to introduce you to Andy Plymate.
Andy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In late 2018, I traveled to Scotland for the International Medieval Fighting Championships. A chance to go to Scotland and watch armored knights fight! Hell yeah!
Upon returning to Portland, I found a local club and fell in love with the unarmored version of Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA). Just before COVID, I traveled to Vancouver, BC, for an intensive 50 hour training with Academie Duello there. I immediately wanted to bring this modern pedagogical approach to historical swordplay back to Portland. Finally, in 2023, I set out on my own and opened Bridge City Blades looking to honor this wonderfully vibrant city.
We started at the Irving Park basketball courts. A covered space with flat ground, yes please. There were only 5 of us at the time. One of my driving values is creating a space for all people. The stereotypical martial arts space full of bluster and competition among students has no place at BCB. I wanted to create a welcoming space that meets the student at their level, with the goal of being just a little better than you were yesterday. Our community uses mutual support to push each other rather than trying to “best” each other in a survival-of-the-fittest style.
Today, I’m honored to have grown to about 80 students with a wide variety of women, men, trans, and queer folk alike. We are the only HEMA organization in the Portland area to have our own dedicated training space, graduating from the cold winter days in the park. We have a variety of classes including Longsword, Military Saber, Sword and Buckler, Rapier, and Sidesword. Years ago, I chose the tagline, “Forge Friendships, Study Swordplay” and I’m thrilled it truly embodies training at BCB.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nothing in life is like a fairy tale of “happily ever after”. BCB has been blessed overall, but struggles as part of life and martial arts is a good way to test your grit.
BCB started training at Irving Park jostling with jugglers, basketball players, and dancers for reprieve from the weather under shelter there. In the dead cold of winter, and the blazing heat of summer, we practiced dreaming of enough money to have a space of our own.
In 2024, we could afford to rent some space at Tabor Space on Belmont Ave. They were great! The ceiling was a tad low and we may have left a few scratches here and there. haha
Finally in 2025, I took the plunge and signed a lease for our own private space on SE Grand. No more lugging 15 swords, fencing masks, gloves, and gorgets back and forth from my house multiple times a week! Dedicated space for gear means we can purchase more gear. Control of our space means control of the times we can offer classes! It’s been a game-changer.
In the last year, we’ve been building out the space, making it feel more lived-in. All the while training new instructors and expanding the schedule of offerings. It’s been a great year!
We’ve been impressed with Bridge City Blades, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bridge City Blades dedicates itself to Historical European Martial Arts, colloquially Sword Fighting, or as we like to say swordplay.
This is not modern Olympic fencing but rather looking at how people would use weapons in a historical sense. We learn from books like Fiore dei Liberi’s 1409 text on wrestling, dagger, sword, spear, and horseback dueling. Or Antonio Manciolino’s 1531 text on sidesword. We use historical-style weapons modified for additional safety. There is a modern sport side of HEMA as well. People love a good chance to demonstrate their skills and HEMA is no different.
BCB is known for high-quality instruction and progressive pedagogy in our curriculums. I’m very proud of our community and attention to bettering ourselves. Our main goal is to be better than we were yesterday, to feel comfortable within our bodies. How to be strong, nimble, and tactical at the same time. One of my students, in his 50s, was doing some solo work at home. His wife watching from the kitchen commented how he was standing straighter, more sure of foot, and generally moved better. This is what I’m proud of: Connecting with history, sport, strength, and movement on a deeper level.
Any big plans?
I’m excited to develop more defined instructor paths within BCB. We have grown so fast, and to hold quality, in our lessons instructors need a guiding path as well.
Alongside that is a cord progression implemented into our classes. Something to help guide students in their solo work. “Want to be better and not sure what to work on outside of class? Here, do these things!” I’ve found it’s easy to get a hit or two on someone with a metal stick; it’s another thing to ingrain those skills deeply and demonstrate a specific skill when called upon.
Pricing:
- Fundamentals Course $160
- 5 Classes a month $80
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bridgecitybladeshema.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgecitybladeshema/
