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Our Team

Our Instructors

Pictured from left to right: Gareth, Tim, Mark and Steven

Mark Winkelman – 16 years HEMA practitioner, 13 years instructing HEMA at the Forge and regularly competing in tournament events. Also practices in Japanese Kageryu battojutsu and Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu and Judo, where he has achieved blue belt.

Tim Holter – 15 years HEMA practitioner, 13 years instructing HEMA and modern combatives at the Forge. Has overall 40 years in multiple martial arts disciplines, including Israeli KAPAP. Has achieved black belt in Combatto Libero (Brazillian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxing), brown belt in Shaolin Kung-fu, red belt in Tae kwon do, is a Level 3 certified Krav Maga instructor and study group leader in Martial Blade Concepts/Counter Blade Concepts.

Gareth Jones – Nine years HEMA practitioner with the Forge, six years as assistant instructor. Also trains in catch-wrestling outside of the Forge and is a Collegiate Football Alumni. As a previously-certified NCCP coach, he has brought the brains into the brawn with researched methods of physical training that he has implemented into our fight team’s training.

Steven Dalla Vicenza a.k.a Patches – Nine years HEMA practitioner with the Forge and has been regularly competing in the Prairie Historical Fencing League. He has been assistant instructor for two years now and is also the vice-president on the board.

Jimmy Munkaspeni (Sabreforce) 

Five years martial arts experience in Aiki-jutsu, Aikido and Jujutsu, including seminar training in the U.K. Has achieved brown belt in Jujutsu, Ninjutsu and lesser gradings in several weapons including Hanbo, Jo-staf, Bo-staff and sword. Joined the Forge in 2010, taking gold medals in competitions in Canada and U.S.A. Has attended seminars in Avi Nardia’s KAPAP and Martial Blades Concept in knife defence. Jimmy and Tim upstarted Sabreforce in 2017. Jimmy has also created all the graphics and images for the Forge brand.

 

Our Board

Nathan Wellsman – President
Steven Dalla Vicenza – Vice President
Tavis McKee – Treasurer
Silken Kleer – Communications
Ali Naqvi – Student Representative