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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Aiken Saber Academy Located
The Academy is located in Aiken, South Carolina. Specifically it is hosted in the Odell Weeks Activity Center. The address is 1700 Whiskey Rd, Aiken SC 29803. The phone number of the center is (803) 642-7631
What times do the class meet and how much is the class? Is there an age limit?
The classes meet every Friday from 5-730. The cost is 25 dollars per month for each student. Because of the physicality of the sport and the size of the lightsabers used in class, the minimum age is 13 years old. All adults are welcome to participate.
Do I have to have my own lightsaber or other equipment?
Aiken Saber Academy uses special lightsabers designed for sport use. If you do bring your own lightsaber, it will be inspected to determine if its safe to use for sport fighting. The Academy has lightsabers to loan out for classes as well as some protective equipment such as gloves and fencing masks. We do ask that as students progress in rank that they obtain their own lightsabers and protective equipment.
Is it okay to have no experience in martial arts?
Most students at Aiken Saber Academy started with no experience in any martial art. Though a few have black belts in other arts, they still had to start at the beginning learning a new martial art and sport using lightsabers. Being a novice has the advantage in that there are no prior habits that have to be unlearned such as stances and movements not suitable for our sport. Most novices quickly progress through the basic instruction and the first few advancement ranks.
Is there a advancements ystem like in other martial arts
There is a advancement system developed specifically for Aiken Saber Academy. Beginning advancement ranks begin with basic lightsaber grips, stances and movement called Forms. As a student progresses into advanced ranks other weapons are introduced and the Forms become longer and more complex. Eventually unarmed defensive techniques like punches, kicks, strikes, blocks and other techniques are introduced. The unarmed techniques are added to increase the students ability at movement, timing and techniques. All unarmend techniques are reviewed for use by black belts artists from other martial art disciplines. Aiken Saber Academy Ranks: Initiate, Apprentice, Knight, Cavalier, Dragoon, Templar, Paladin and Master. Generally a student must hold a rank for about 6 months begore testing for the next rank.
Can the school train persons with disabilities?
Aiken Saber Academy has a history of working with individuals with disabilities. Some of our students are neurodivergent or have other disabilities. Each student wanting to attend the school is reviewed on a case by case basis to see if they can wield a lightsaber and learn the Forms. All instruction is done patiently and repeated as needed to meet the needs of the student.
My child has problems making friends and is very shy, what is the school environment like?
Aiken Saber Academy is modeled on high school JROTC which Commander taught for many years. Commander has a policy that all students are made to feel welcome. Upon arrival new students learn the school’s core principles of Courage, Awareness, Determination and Integrity (CADI). The priciples are introduced to new students by current students. The policy of the school which is strictly followed is that no student is ever left alone or isolated. In the years of the school’s existence this has made Aiken Saber Academy a family for its students. Adults who attend the school are expected to help mentor younger students. Commander has decades of leadership experience and quizzes students on their life’s plans and often offers guidance. The school is highly regarded by the Aiken community for its inclusiveness and effective instruction.
Outside email and a Facebook group is there other method for parents to receive and share information
The school maintains a Facebook Messenger chat to share information with parents and students. This has proved to be effective in sharing videos of the students, announcing school community events and for parents to contact Commander. The school does support community events, hold school parties and attends competition with other organizations. As soon as a student joins the Academy they or their parents are added to the Academy Messenger chat