The Force Unleashed

In a city known for its scenery and vibrance, a small but passionate community trains for the duel of the century — or maybe just the year. Their weapons? Lightsabers.

Meet the Wausau Guardians, the local branch of the larger Saber Legion, which brands itself as “the world’s largest LED saber combat organization.”

What is ‘LED saber combat,’ exactly? If you’ve ever watched Star Wars or any of its myriad of spinoffs, you’re probably more familiar with the concept than you think. You may even have engaged in the sport yourself — albeit in a less official capacity.

Decked out in protective gear that includes anything from hockey gloves to HEMA masks, participants spar using replica lightsabers that they can have custom built depending on their budgets, combat needs and aesthetic preferences.

These aren’t the flimsy plastic lightsabers you’ll find in your average toy section, either. Designed specially for dueling, these sabers have aluminum hilts and polycarbonate blades. They can also pack a serious punch — hence the protective gear.

“[The gear] is pricey, but you know what’s pricier? The ER,” explained Rick Laframboise, whose son recently joined the club after seeing members demonstrating at the Wausau Night Market.

Lights and sound effects come built in, of course. It wouldn’t be a lightsaber battle without them.

At the core of the Wausau Guardians are cofounders Seth Clendenning, a teacher at Wausau East High School, and Shannon Cole-Cameron, who currently ranks first in the nation in the Saber Legion’s Women’s Division.

Clendenning himself formerly ranked first in the nation overall. Currently, he ranks fourth by a narrow margin.

The two founded the Wausau Guardians about seven years ago, after Clendenning was introduced to the concept by a friend.

Clendenning said the club has been a great way to unite people from different backgrounds and with different interests.

“You don’t even have to love Star Wars to be the nerd who does the thing,” said Clendenning. “Some people are all about Star Wars, some people are here for the swordfighting, some people just want to make friends… There’s LARPing and people who do roleplay. You can do that… but it’s not required by any means.”

One member has no interest in Star Wars at all, he said, and just enjoys the swordplay.

“We get people who come from all over, and it’s just a matter of them finding out about it and being connected,” he said. “You can be a nerd or not be a nerd, but is it for you?”

Clendenning and Cole-Cameron offer coaching to members, and their lessons are free of charge. This way, they hope to make the sport accessible to anybody, regardless of skill level or ability.

“It is less ’combat’ than it is a fun hobby sport that anybody can do,” said Clendenning. “And when I say anybody, I mean anybody, because we have somebody that fights with a cane.”

Members can participate as casually or competitively as they want, accounting for a wide array of participants and fighting styles among the group.

In addition to running the Wausau Guardians, Clendenning and Cole-Cameron also head the Wisconsin charter of the Saber Legion, the Wisconsin Wookies. Because of this, the Wausau Guardians are also the ‘face’ of that charter.

Like many groups, the Wausau Guardians — as well as sister groups around the state — saw a decline in members following the COVID-19 Pandemic. Currently, the number of active fighters per state runs from 12–50.

Clendenning hopes to see those numbers increase as people learn about the sport.

Next week, the Wausau Guardians will host an annual championship match, free of cost and open to the public.

“We’re having fighters come from all over the nation for the entire weekend,” said Clendenning. He listed off a handful of cities from all over the country: Los Angeles and New York City, to name a couple.

“Friday, specifically, we’re doing something called the Saber Showdown,” he continued.

Attendees can expect to ”be entertained by live lightsaber action and some comedy,” he said.

Elaborating, Clendenning continued, “Each of our fighters has a different persona. I am Star Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy. We have a Deadpool… sometimes when you wear a costume, you can be somebody else for a little bit.”

Clendenning also said to expect ”a little bit of drama” in a style similar to that of professional wrestling, as well as “some of the banter and fun” that comes with it.

“Maybe I’ll tell a dad joke or two,” he mused.

This is the Wausau Guardians’ fifth year putting on a tournament, but “we haven’t made a spectacle out of it until this year,” said Clendenning.

In addition to a lit show — pun intended — the Saber Showdown will also feature a booth run by Rebel Sabers, an LED saber company that Clendenning recommends to fresh recruits due to its relative affordability and customization options. At the booth, attendees can pay to build their own custom lightsabers, unique souvenirs they can take home with them afterward.

“We’re gonna record it and have fog and lights and music and try to make it fun for everybody,” said Clendenning. “If people come to that, they might get connected to the sport or hobby… that’s the gateway, so to speak.”

The Wausau Guardians’ Saber Showdown will be held next Friday, Sept. 26, at the Aspirus YMCA in Weston. Admission is free, no strings attached, with the option of paying to build your own lightsaber at the Rebel Sabers booth.

If you’re interested in joining the Wausau Guardians, you can find the official group on Facebook under the name “the Saber Legion – Wisconsin.” When someone requests to join the group, Clendenning and Cole-Cameron receive a ping, allowing one of them to reach out to that person personally, get a feel for the prospective member’s personality and needs and inform them about what they can expect from the sport.

The Wausau Guardians meet every Thursday at Wausau’s Thrive Church.

Newcomers are always welcome, but rather than showing up unannounced, Clendenning advises prospective members to connect on Facebook beforehand by joining the Saber Legion – Wisconsin group.