LudoSport Essex lightsaber academy to open in Colchester

LudoSports Essex will be teaching the art of duelling with replica lightsabers, - minus the plasma blades - when it opens in October.

LudoSports is the art of duelling with weapons inspired by Star Wars. 

Academy owner Pippa Green said: "I'm so excited! It's ironic when initially the idea of teaching was the furthest thing from my mind, but I love the sport and I've discovered I love teaching it, so I can't wait to introduce it to others.

"It's such a great and fun way to get fit and meet people. It's super inclusive, and the community doesn't just reach across the other schools and academies, but internationally as well."

Focus - Pippa Green in a duel (Image: LudoSport) Students at the academy will study seven forms of combat for a year, with weekly two-hour sessions. 

There will be events throughout the year such as tournaments, duelling days and chances to try out different forms and weapons from professionals. 

Pippa first heard about LudoSport at BristolCon in 2016 after being invited to learn light saber combat. 

She went to a LudoSports discovery session in Gloucester held by the then UK champion Seb Ferris.

Group - representatives from LudoSport Britannia (Image: LudoSport) Pippa, whose love of Star Wars began in 1982 after watching A New Hope on TV, said: "He suggested the best and quickest way to bring LudoSport to Colchester was to become an instructor and open my own academy.

"I'm afraid I laughed in his face at the idea of me teaching, but I couldn't stop thinking about it.

"Fast forward to April and I took the instructor course as my one chance to do the sport and see if it was for me, not really expecting to pass.

"But I did, and I'm not one to see skills go to waste, so my own academy was the next step. I guess he got the last laugh."

Details about the exact location of the academy and which days it will be open will be updated on their Facebook Page, LudoSport Essex - Light Saber Combat School.