*psssst* there is a growng number of SCA fighters who are pushing the style towards a more historical form. While it is true that because of some DEEPLY ingrained traditions within the SCA culture. Which occured mostly because when that style was evolving there was not a wide array of resources to learn from, so it was invented by people who took what they knew and applied it to rattan. We may never get it to be purely historicaly accurate, but we do have the ability to offer a more "spontaneous" form of free play than most other WMA/HWMA forms out there; without going over to the foam weapon/LARP, which has about as much to do with actual fighting, as Renn Faires do to history. No flames intended here, but I am getting a little sick of people jumping on the "let's bash the SCA bandwagon", when peoples involvement in the SCA is precisely one of the catalysts for the growing surge in interest in HWMA. Yes the SCA has some glaring errors, but as a jumping off spot to get your feet wet safely it has a damn good track record...........sorry this is a bit of a "hot topic" with me right now. As far as starting a new group, best of luck to you. Take a lesson from history and look at what has worked for the people who came before you. Personally I am looking for a better blend of SCA "free play" and accurate technique, so I study outside the SCA and selectively apply what I have learned within their rule set.