Among the Flagstaff Mountain trees of Northern Arizona University, the Northwind Sabers duel. Every Wednesday and Saturday evening, a group of students gathers to fight and play games with lightsabers in the central quad. The Star Wars themed group yield glowing swords that make quite a show during the school year. People typically hear about it by word of mouth or seeing the club members fighting each other with their lightsabers. Despite not being “official,” the Sabers are still fairly well-known on campus and bring joy to members and onlookers. Since it’s not an official club, anyone can join Northwind Sabers; students invite friends, NAU alumni stick around a while. It is an amazing club where students are free to have fun and be nerds, taking a break from all the stress of college life.
One of the many different games that the club plays is “Capture the Flag,” with the added fun of lightsabers. This club is full of fun combat and these modified versions of games are a fun way to practice lightsaber fighting. The leadership and Knights, named in reference to Jedi Knights, make sure everyone fights safely so no one will get hurt. Each new member must go through training and gets to vote on which games they play, while the Knights organize the games, ensuring that everyone has fun. The meetings last for two hours, taking an intermission in between which results in two to three games. On a typical day, practice begins with a free-for-all warm up and ends with a round of “Hunger Games,” in which there needs to be one person left. Whoever is in charge of the game decides random events like half of the field closing. To keep things new and exciting, members suggest and add new games as well so there is no shortage of options.
Other than the standard, typical lightsaber, there are different specialty sabers, members can use. Some of these include cross-guard, pike and dual wielding. Don’t have the money to purchase a lightsaber? Not to worry! Northwind lets members borrow lightsabers and gloves if they don’t have their own. As lightsabers can be expensive, these loaners are a great help for people who want to join the club but aren’t sure if they want to buy a lightsaber. This way, more people can join in on the fun.
The Northwind Sabers offers an escape from the often stressful life of a college student. Members find solace in this seemingly silly club — a welcome distraction from the worries of homework and other responsibilities; an opportunity to embrace nerdiness and let loose. Some members will even dress up to complete the look of the lightsaber fighting. Members who have been around long enough can become Knights if they wish and will have a knighting ceremony if they choose so. Many of the members form friendships, and the lightsaber fights and games are great ways to connect each week. Northwind is a memorable experience for NAU students and members of the club.
The lightsaber club has been around campus for years now. While new members come and go, the heart remains. The club is a great way to take a mental health break, form friendships and stay active and healthy. Many members look forward to the Wednesday and Saturday practice days and will sometimes plan their own off-practices meet ups on non-practice days. Like many clubs, Northwind Sabers also has other events and gatherings. There are T-shirts and merch for the club and even a Northwind Yearbook—one was made in 2022. These help raise money for loaner sabers, but are also great to represent the memories made.
From the members who participate in the lightsaber fighting to the students who watch from the side, Northwind has formed a little community at NAU and has established itself as a memorable part of Northern Arizona University.
