Additionally, our approach to training has changed in fundamental ways since this web page was created. The text once on this page is no longer valid. Until such time as we can create new material for the site, we direct interested people to Hurstwic's new book, Men of Terror A Comprehensive Analysis of Viking Combat, available from your favorite book seller.

Until new text is created for this webpage, we leave the images that once illustrated the text to give a small flavor of the training work we have done in the past.

Sparring with two weapons

Sparring sword vs two-handed axe

Developing cutting skills using focus pads

Power cutting drills

Practicing a throw described in the literary sources

Fighting from a ground position.

A pommel bash, used in the Viking age to humiliate

A devestating thrust past the shield during sparring

Winter melee sparring

Winter melee sparring on opposite sides of a creek

Running in to grapple drill

A missed block and a thrust to the face during sparring
Hurstwic uses training axes from Wechter Arms.

Two-weapon cutting drills with focus pads

Cutting drills to focus pads during a birthday training event

Sparring with a cloak to distract and ensnare, as described in the literary sources

Sparring with mismatched weapons

Robin Cooper
teaching shield use at an introductory workshop

William R. Short and Reynir A.
at a video shoot demonstrating Viking fighting moves from the sagas

Mike Cicale
at sea, furling the sail on a Viking ship

Matthew Nachtrieb
at the end of a grueling sparring session

Matthew Marino
with a two-handed axe

Barbara Wechter
teaching cutting at an introductory workshop

Kristine Krakowski
at archery training

Matt Card
at Galdrasýning á Ströndum in Iceland

John Davis
intent on a focus pad drill