In college, I took a self defense class in Universal Combat Martial Arts (pretty sure that's the right website, but its been a long time), and passed. Later, i took a course in SCA fencing with some friends. That was before the SCA changed the fencing rules, though, so if I joined now, I'd likely have to relearn a few things.

“They planned their campaigns just as you might make a splendid piece of harness. It looks very well; and answers very well; until it gets broken; and then you are done for. Now I made my campaigns of ropes. If anything went wrong, I tied a knot; and went on.”
-- Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington