u/Competitive_World673

Tried longsword fencing / HEMA for the first time recently and honestly expected it to feel more like “just a sport”.

What surprised me most was how much history, culture and community seemed connected to it. It almost felt like stepping into a completely different world for a few hours.

For people who stayed in HEMA long term:
what keeps pulling you back personally?

The competition?
Historical aspect?
Technical depth?
Community?
Something else?

Curious because my first impression was very different from what I expected.