Sep 5-7 2025

Schedule

Pending…

Workshops

Melissa Barker - The Chair Game and Other Silly Exploits

Tournaments are hard! They can put us in a hyper-competitive mindset that is sometimes antithetical to the work we do to build community and spend time with each other. Fortunately, the way to get out of that hyper-competitive mindset is easy - play games! Melissa will lead Swordsquatch through 2-3 large group games with the goals of working together and having fun with people we don’t always get to see.

Melissa worked for two years in the field of behavioral health, where she got really good at regulating herself and teaching self-regulation strategies to others. In the fall, she will begin a graduate program in clinical mental health counseling, with a interest in vagal nerve regulation and the impact of combat sports on mental health. Last year, she presented her workshop “Keeping Your Mental Game Sharp In a Tournament” with co-presenter Kathryn McLean.

Neal Stephenson - This Word 'Heavy': I do not think it means what you think it means. Physics and biomechanics of the backsword

A basket-hilted backsword is basically as long and heavy as a typical longsword, but it has to be wielded with a single hand. This leads to the perception of the backsword as being unwieldy and difficult to learn. If you learn how to organize your body in the correct way, however, you can make it work. This workshop will start with a lecture explaining the physics and biomechanics of different types of swords and then develop into a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn some basic skills that will enable them to wield these weapons effectively.

Raquelle Moreau - Medieval Wounds and Emergency Medicine: A Medical Analysis of Sharp Force Wounds and Penetrating Trauma

My proposed lecture will look at the types of traumas that can occur during a sword fight. I will analyze traumas that can occur with and without armor/ protective gear. Analyze the care needed to treatment someone with these wounds in both a modern and premodern context.

I’ve been practicing HEMA on and off for the past 4 years. I have fought in two SwordSquatch tournaments in the past. I’m also a professional EMT for King County and Volunteer for Ruston Fire and Rescue for Pierce County.

Moses Jones - How to Develop Curriculum in HEMA

Developing a HEMA curriculum from a college professor’s perspective that is designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Tise presentation explores how to create a clear, goal-oriented framework focused on building competency and adaptability. Using my method as a foundation, I outline how curriculum should progressively develop technical skills, tactical awareness, and historical knowledge. The lecture also addresses strategies for meeting diverse student goals, whether they seek competition, historical study, fitness, or simply enjoyment. This is designed to help clubs and schools create effective, flexible programs that foster both growth and engagement.

Seize The Vor Head Coach Moses Jones, has been studying the art of the blade for over 17 years. His journey began in classical fencing, but after he had an opportunity to train Longsword in Verona, Italy he was hooked on HEMA. When he moved back to his home in Oregon, he spent a combined 10 years studying KDF at Indes WMA under Brent Lambell and with the fight club Drei Wunder run by Stewart Sackett. This former college mathematics instructor makes good use of his curriculum development skills to offer programs in Ringen, Rondel, Messer, Longsword and Spear in the tradition of Johannas Liechtenauer. Moses lives with his very supportive wife Rossella, in Salem Oregon, along with his two sons and their two furry friend

Derek Steel-Baron - Introduction to the Skirmish

SKIRMISHING: a fun, fast & furious game of swashbuckling swordplay. Played with cutlasses, Skirmishing places its players (Skirmishers or Cutlassiers) in the most unforgivable position imaginable (think - naval boarding action!), one where the Skirmisher finds themselves in a position of constant peril & is pushed to the limit of their knowledge, skill & artistry. If you're an experienced fencer or martial artist, Skirmishing is a great way to test your skills. If you're new to the sword, Skirmishing is a fun & exciting way to learn the martial art of fencing. We will work through the basics of the field of play (called "The Deck"), determining distance, and familiarizing ourselves with the flow of play. We will peek into the more esoteric areas of broken time and counter-time actions; and, if time allows, we will try our hand at a game of "Brighton Bridge" to see which team will come out on top!

Beginning his journey at the University of Tennessee Fencing Club in 1999 with coach Dale Drinnon, with 15 years of competitive sports fencing as a national competitor and coach; Derek has turned his interest towards a more historical system of swordplay. Derek is one (if not the first) of many “correspondent” students of the 1595. Club, and while living in the Pacific Northwest, far away from his brothers and sisters in Europe and beyond, has come to feel the entire 1595. Club as family and strives to extend that feeling to those who train with him in the USA.

Dashiell Harrison - Armed Self-Defense in Tudor England

We spend a lot of time of time in HEMA on the “how” of sword-fighting, but very little on the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” and “why.” Join me as we learn what records of murder investigations have to tell us about period sword-combat, go over possible legal strategies for securing an acquittal in a 16th century court, and discuss the time a fight broke out because of a dung hill.

Dashiell has been practicing since HEMA since 2013, and teaching at IFG since 2018. His focus is on Lichtenauer longsword, sword-and-buckler, and messer as well as George Silver’s short sword. He has medaled in over 20 tournaments including a gold at Swordsquatch 2022.

Peter Haas - Bauernwehr: The Peasant's Defense.

The Peasant's Defense, Bauernwehr, invites students to experience a unique fencing system of Ringen (wrestling), Messer (machete), and Stock (Stick) outside the context of the “noble” historical duel; favoring defensive approaches to an engagement, aiming to minimizes the damage taken to one’s own body.

This workshop offers an introductory survey to the Bauernwehr program at Gotham Swords. Beginning with core body mechanics and the concept of Fühlen (feeling), participants will learn and practice the core principles of fencing with the Farmer’s Knife and a brief introduction to intermediate techniques. The final third of the class focuses on applying the skills: students are given the opportunity to take turns working one-on-one with instructors to further refine the principles and techniques.

Peter Haas is the Program Coordinator and a Senior Instructor at Gotham Swords where he co-manages the Bauernwehr Program. A passionate and dedicated mentor since 2018, Peter engages in a holistic approach to training historical martial arts; promoting perpetual learning, refinement, and growth.
Outside the HEMA-sphere Peter is an award-winning filmmaker, enthusiastic Pinochle player, and a member of New York’s Byakkokan Dojo (白虎館) where he studies Toyama Ryū Batto Jutsu (戸山流).

Erik Von Essen - Dagger Games for Everyone

This is a system agnostic, high work-rate class focused on the most challenging part of most dagger plays: catching the damn thing before it stabs you. We’ll look at drills to improve your accuracy, deal with and punish feints, incorporate striking and takedowns, and dealing with annoying bullshit people do when you try to stop them from stabbing you. Come ready to sweat, fall, and get poked with foam daggers.

Erik will also be organizing this year's mini-tournament on Sunday, the rules of which will be announced about 20 seconds before you start.

Erik has been doing martial arts on and off for 20 years. He started training HEMA and Latosa Escrima seriously 10 years ago. He's been a teacher professionally for 13 years and now works in corporate training for a private intelligence company.

Lorenzo Mendoza - SEGA! The Bolognese Call to Arms!

A fight has broken out, whether a duel on the street or a battle for the city: in this class you will learn how to turn your everyday dagger into a useful companion weapon. Use everything at your disposal to gain the advantage, reinforce your guards, act in a single tempo, and even turn defense to offense!"

Alex Hanning - Learning from Crappy Coaches and Terrible Teachers

Practical games and ideas to help you improve your fencing under sub-optimal conditions.