The Deathpacito event will primarily revolve around fencing workshops. We will have a designated area in the house to store all equipment, and experienced instructors will lead and facilitate all workshops, providing assistance throughout to resolve any queries. Workshops will be conducted in English, with translators available for those who may have difficulty understanding.
The workshops will mainly focus on the Westernstyle discipline, which will be detailed further. Participants are encouraged to bring HEMA equipment (mandatory mask) for optional free sparring sessions after Saturday's workshops, alongside instructors and other participants.
If you have a specific workshop preference (such as spears, line combat, individual combat, etc.), please inform us during registration so we can communicate this to the instructors.
Coming from Trondheim, Didrik is a fencer from the reenactment group Bispeliden. He has been practicing fencing for over 13 years in various sword sports, focusing mainly on Norwegian Westernstyle.
Didrik has been passionate about swords all his life, so much so that it's his profession. He is the "Sword Guy" at the Trondheim Army Museum, so it's no wonder that when it comes to swords or history, he never stays silent.
Didrik is also a HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) instructor at Trondheim HEMA, where he teaches German longsword, saber, sword and buckler, dagger, and recently, rapier! Where there is fencing, Didrik is involved, practicing Western, Eastern, Huscarl, and Buhurt with the motto "More sword fighting is Fun swordfighting!"
As some of you know, Didrik was Ricky's coach when he lived in Trondheim, but he has also been a good friend of Mediterrània Vikinga, helping in its foundation. This will be Didrik's fourth year as the main coach at Deathpacito, looking forward to meeting and fighting with people, and also bringing his ideas to his upcoming workshops
Kristoffer belongs to the Borrefylkingen group from Vestfold. He started reenacting in 2008 and has been actively fighting since 2009. He primarily focuses on Norwegian Westernstyle but he has also extensive experience in Eastern style, Huscarl, and HEMA.
He is one of the most active and experienced fighters in the eastern part of Norway. In addition to his involvement in the Norwegian fighting scene, he has also participated in combats and training weekends in Iceland, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Poland. He has taken part in battles and events such as Wollin, Neustadt-glewe, Moesgaard, Trelleborg, and the Battle of Clontarf.
Kristoffer is the second in command in Norway's largest Western/Huscarl group, Jerf TK, and is the first (and only) Norwegian prospect to become a Jomsviking.
Simon derives from Vestfold, from the local group of Borrefylkingen. He started reenactment in 2005 and started fighting in 2009. His main focus is western style, but also has some experience in eastern style and huscarl.
Simon is renowned as one of the best spears in Norway. As well as a lot of experience fighting in Denmark, Sweden, and Germany.
This year he will be our third instructor and will prepare a 2-hour workshop exclusively for all those who like to keep it nice and long!
The regulations we will be using for most of the weekend will be those of Westernstyle, specifically the ones used in Norway.
In the image, you can see the valid scoring zones. All weapons can thrust or cut on any part of the scoring surface. Spears can only thrust and do not cut.
If at any point we have the opponent's back, we should deliver a strike to their buttocks using the flat of the sword to avoid causing harm.
Thrusting is prohibited due to the presence of the spinal column and neck, and its unnecessary nature.
Valid targets reference
Unless otherwise specified, each fighter will have one life point. If there is doubt about whether we have been touched by the opponent, it is recommended to proceed as if we have been touched. If touching a teammate and they have not "died" voluntarily due to lack of sportsmanship, it is advisable not to balance out and inform them that they have been touched and should leave the battlefield. Discussions about these matters will be far less accepted.
Any participant who strikes the neck or head of a teammate will lose a life point and will be considered "dead." In group combats, they must leave the battlefield for that round. The struck participant must declare "headshot" if they believe they have been hit in the neck or head. The other fighter must comply and deduct a life point.
A headshot is defined as any contact, no matter how slight, of the weapon against the surface of the neck or face.
It is reminded that depending on how the opponent's weapon deflects, we might accidentally hit ourselves with a headshot. If this anomaly is detected, the combat should be paused, and a few minutes should be dedicated to correcting this habit.
All cutting blades must have a minimum of 2mm rounded edge.
All blade points (incl. swords, knives, axes and daneaxes) must have rounded points to a circle with a diameter of 16 mm.
Long spear
250 cm
One hand spear
180 cm
Dane axe
180 cm
(based on the further point, being the head or the handler)
Swords
90 cm
One hand axe
90 cm
Due to the nature of this sport, it's necessary to equip ourselves properly to minimize potential injuries.
For the fights, it will be mandatory to wear as much protection as the intensity of the fight requires. For example, fighting without gloves will not be allowed if the strikes are expected to be intense enough to cause hand injuries.
If you find it difficult to obtain any particular protective gear, feel free to ask us, and we will try to find a solution for you. The association has some stock available to lend equipment, prioritizing members.
Below are some specialized websites where you can purchase these protections. You can also find more affordable options at any sports store.
Red Dragon
Knee and shin guards
Gloves
Chest protector
Elbow pads
Bracers
Gum shield
Protective cup
When forming a line, if a participant is touched, they must leave the battlefield without turning their back to opponents.
Remember, if you find yourself behind your opponent at any time, you should lightly strike their buttocks with the flat of your sword to avoid causing harm.
If your weapon falls to the ground during combat, you must either continue fighting without it or leave the line. It is strictly prohibited to bend down to pick it up.
If two fighters's weapons get stuck (for example, two axes), it's preferable to let the weapons fall to the ground rather than engage in a struggle that could lead to an accident.
As this is a competitive and risky sport, there are circumstances where safety measures are necessary. Therefore, participation in workshops will be strictly prohibited if in an unfit physical state due to severe drowsiness or consumption of intoxicating substances. We adhere to the rule of "If you can't drive, you can't fight" and "0 alcohol during workshops".
To ensure the control and integrity of everyone during risky activities, the organization (Mediterrània Vikinga) and instructors Didrik and Kristoffer will have the authority to stop workshops or the participation of any individual who exhibits inappropriate behavior for combat.
During combat, we must be mindful of the space around us. If a teammate retreats due to the force and pressure we exert, we must ensure they do not collide with any natural obstacles, walls, or other teammates behind them. Therefore, we should stop pressing, move away from them, and encourage them to return to the center of the field to resume the combat, away from potential collision hazards.
In light of this, it is preferable to yield or stop the fight than to execute any move that could potentially injure a teammate temporarily or permanently.
In case of an accident, we will have qualified personnel with certifications in first aid and emergency response present throughout the weekend. Additionally, we will have a first aid kit equipped with everything necessary to provide medical care, always located on the battlefield. Finally, we will also have a vehicle acting as an ambulance, ready to depart at any time in case of emergency.
Before starting fencing activities, a briefing will be conducted regarding procedures in case of medical emergencies. In general terms, anyone without medical qualifications should notify the first aid personnel and create space for them to act appropriately. Other participants will leave the area and continue with the workshops.
Regarding combat philosophy and in case of an accident, the participant who caused the injury to another must wait until the injured person has recovered or until they give permission to resume combat (with approval from the organization and/or instructors in serious cases). If hospitalization is necessary, the participant responsible for the injury must assist in gathering the injured person's equipment and accompany them to the hospital.