Edmonton Hafn - The Helsgaard

09/23/2024

Hey everyone! Come check out our shiny new instagram page!

https://www.instagram.com/edmonton_hafn?utm_source=qr&igsh=YXAxMGh3aXFqdjJ2

07/09/2023

The spear is history's favorite weapon.

I find, in modern life, it is a harder weapon for many people to learn.

Most people can swing a sword or an axe, because we do sport or work activities that involve swinging something in a similar fashion. But, very few people hunt or fish with a spear in hand.

In many cultures (if not most -- if not all) something spear-like was developed and used both in daily life and in combat. The spear requires very little extra material to create the head (stone, flint, obsidian, bronze, iron, steel), and so its easier/less resource intensive to produce.

They are a bit easier to use in formation fighting than most other weapons, too. That's what I've found, anyway.

-vidarr

06/04/2023

Hi pals,

It's been a while since I've posted -- sorry about that.

I am also pretty terrible about updating the events page, but we have actually been practicing every week.

In other news, happy pride month. Many (if not, most) of the Helsgaard are 2SLGBTQ+.

If, for some reason, you (a person reading this) do not find this to be acceptable, I'd like to remind you that ALL are welcome in the Hird.

And if you don't like it, you can literally fight me.

-vidarr

05/13/2023

04/12/2023

A short documentary about Buhurt, another sport that overlaps with what we do here in the Helsgaard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=By_ZuhfzKZY

Features interviews from Richard Manns of The Calgary Silver Gryphons and Chris Keen of the Strathcona Warhorse -- both team captains I respect highly.

Speaking of captains I respect highly, if you're in Edmonton and want to try Buhurt, George Soika and Kelton Ramos run The Edmonton Crimson Blades.

There's my plug. Enjoy the video.

-vidarr

The word “Buhurt” is a modern slang word of the Old French béhourd, which means “to wallop.” It also names the rapidly growing sport of high-impact, full-arm...

04/03/2023

A casual post-shieldwall drill discussion at our first practice in the early spring.

Lots of new faces -- lots of wooden staves. We'll make something of you yet.

-vidarr

10/30/2022

2 on 2 with the wrecking crew.
Just having a bit of fun.
-vidarr

10/25/2022

We have been hard at work; we will keep training until the snow is too deep. Then, maybe we'll winter somewhere with enough space to keep fighting.

Stay tuned.

-vidarr

10/24/2022

A day in the woods.

-vidarr