About Us

The Tallahassee River Raiders are a North Florida Buhurt team proudly based in Tallahassee.
Established in 2025, we are dedicated to growing the sport of armored combat while building a supportive and inclusive community.
Whether you’re an experienced fighter, interested in learning armored combat, or simply looking for a way to get involved, there’s a place for you with us.

We train together, compete together, and support one another both on and off the lyst.
We are also proud to train and fight alongside our sister team, the Tallahassee Valkyries, Florida’s largest women’s Buhurt team.
The Valkyries join us for practices and events while also maintaining their own dedicated practices to give women in the sport a space to train, grow, and compete together.

Meet the Elected Leadership Board

Riley Captain	Riley has always loved medieval history and dreamed to one day own a suit of armor, but needed his reason why. After discovering Buhurt, he founded the Tallahassee River Raiders in 2025, and also found his reason why. As Team Captain, he continues to lead and grow the team.
Andrew Co-Captain and Head Coach	Andrew has been a lifelong fighter, with a background in boxing, football, and rugby. After discovering Buhurt at a Renaissance Faire, he joined the Tallahassee River Raiders and quickly became a coach and Co-Captain.A gold medalist in local polearm and melee tournaments, Andrew now spends his time fighting in the lyst, coaching new fighters, and lending his voice to North Florida Buhurt events.
Steven Treasurer	Originally from Ohio, Steven first started his journey into armored combat in 2019 training with the Knights of Valour for full contact jousting and eventually moved to Tallahassee in 2022, but he craved for something to scratch the itch of being in armor. He then discovered the Tallahassee River Raiders in early 2025 and has jumped in full force.
Crystal Secretary and Tallahassee Valkyries Captain	Crystal started her Buhurt journey as a supporter of her husband and the team, but that support quickly grew into a love and passion for the sport. She now serves as Captain of the Tallahassee Valkyries and Team Secretary, she empowers our women fighters and helps to grow the sport.
Michael Armorer and Assistant Coach	Michael has had an interest in armored combat since he was a small child playing with PVC swords with his brothers. Once he discovered buhurt, he has been all in ever since and now serves as assistant coach and armorer.
Jacob Safety Officer	Jacob is an EMT by day and the team’s #1 safety supporter by night. Passionate about Buhurt and the people who participate in it, he makes sure every fighter understands the risks and has the support and care needed to practice armored combat safely.
Jack FSU’s Tallahassee Titans Buhurt Club Captain and Assistant Coach	Jack is an undergrad chemist at Florida State University (FSU). He discovered buhurt in February 2026 and founded the Tallahassee Titans Buhurt Club at FSU that he hopes can continue to grow.

Fan Experience Leadership Team

The Fan Experience Leadership Team is the group of appointed leaders dedicated to the intentional
engagement that happens before, during, and after events, as well as across our online platforms.
We focus on everything around the fight that helps fans engage, connect, and want to come back.

Fan Experience Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide an immersive medieval-inspired experience for our fans, viewers,
and event wanderers to foster active participation in the sport of Buhurt.
Our Fan Experience team facilitates social media content, communication with
the fans, event coordination, and merchandising.

Meet the Fan Experience Leadership Team

Emily Fan Experience Director	Emily joined the Tallahassee River Raiders in October 2026 as a supportive partner, but she quickly fell in love with Buhurt and the community. She began creating content to grow the team’s social media presence and now serves as Fan Experience Director, supporting social media, fan engagement, and events.
Tristen Fan Experience Coordinator	Tristen is a wife and mother to 3 children. Not only is she a first grade teacher in Leon County, Tristen is passionate about creating a medieval-inspired event experience for our fans, and serves as co-captain of the Tallahassee Valkyries, our women’s buhurt team.
Mj Fan Experience Co-Coordinator	Mj is always one to be down for fun and violence, as she joined the team moments after her Ren Faire experience witnessing the Tallahassee Valkyries in action. Mj enjoys planning and supporting wherever she can when she isn’t in the lyst.
Ryan Videographer	Ryan has held a video camera since he was old enough to be able to hold things. He was introduced to buhurt by a friend and fellow Tallahassee River Raider, and now he chases the River Raiders around with an assortment of cameras using everything from busted 8mm tape to the flashiest flash media.
Anthony Photographer	Anthony was born and raised here in Tallahassee. He enjoys both being in the lyst fighting and photographing others fighting. Anthony loves chess, cooking, and long trips on his motorcycle.
Zed Media Support Specialist	Versed in knowing too much about too many things, Zed operates as media support and web developer. A Tallahassee native, Zed’s here wherever he’s needed.

Partnered with Florida Armored Combat

The Tallahassee River Raiders is an LLC associated and partnered with the non-profit Florida Armored Combat 501(c)(3).

Florida Armored Combat (FAC) is a statewide organization dedicated to growing Buhurt and armored combat throughout Florida
by supporting teams, fighters, and communities through education, training, events, and partnership efforts.
From developing new teams and collegiate programs to supporting local causes, FAC works to create opportunities for everyone, from
fighters and squires to fans and volunteers.

To get involved and connect with Florida Armored Combat, please visit their website at flarmored.org.