Workshops Calendar

Falconry - 8 hrs

Sunday, August 8 - 10:00am to 6:00pm

Falconry, the art of training and handling birds of prey for hunting, was an important part of knightly life. Academie Duello is proud to offer instruction in this art to complement the historical combat already practiced in our downtown venue.

In this class, you will learn:

- how to work with raptors like the Peregrine falcon, Gyr/Saker falcon and Harris hawk

- the basics of health, approach, picking up and casting

- how to make jesses, alymeri and other equipment

- some of the historical background and traditions behind the art of training these magnificent birds of prey

This is a full-day hands on workshop. For more information, please visit our Falconry section under Programs.

Class size limit 12 people, $140 (15% off for members) taught by our Falconer, Joanne Bentley. Register early to reserve your space.

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Intro to Swordplay - 4 hrs

Saturday, August 14 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm

This four hour program will bring you through the Academie Duello fundamentals of attack, defense, posture and movement with our three core weapons: the rapier, sidesword, and longsword.

This workshop is ideal for beginners of all age levels and physical abilities. At the end of the course you will have the opportunity to assess for the first rank of the Academie which will allow you to join into our ongoing Mastery program and continue your studies of the art.

$60

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Armouring Day - Breastplate

Sunday, August 22 - 10:00am to 6:00pm

Since we fight with swords, why not fight with swords in armour? Here's your chance to acquire some of the armour you need for full speed fighting with a longsword and the skills you need to make your own armour.

This is an intensive one day workshop in which students will get to learn the hands on skill of making historic 'cuir bolli' or boiled leather armour. This time around the students will make a '"cuirass" (breast plate). All the gruff hard work will be interspersed with scintillating discussions on the hows and whys of armour. So hopefully the student will not only come away with an understanding of how to make armour, but an understanding of armour's limitations and history.

The student will do and learn several of the basic, preparation tasks of armouring in leather. You will learn how to fit a pattern; cut out raw leather and mark it correctly, so that all the holes and and straps are in the correct places and how to harden and fit the leather, while it's polymerizing. The second part of the workshop is construction. Here the student will learn how to rivet with two kinds of rivets, how to drill holes (hopefully only into our tables this time), how to attach straps and how to articulate a piece. While this may seem like a lot to do, it is stretched out over 8 hours. Since there will be only one project going on this time, production and hardening should be quite a bit faster.

It is highly recommended that students come prepared. You will need to be dressed in something you don't mind getting a little dirty and will need to bring whatever padding or undergarments you intend to wear under their armour. Also please no open toed shoes. You will not need work gloves.



Cost TBD

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Knife Combat - 4hrs

Saturday, August 28 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Knife Combat is a practical, realistic course covering the basics of defense and attack.

This workshop will be instructed by Braun McAsh, drawing from his own personal military training and experience, as well as techniques taught to the OSS and British Commandos by Fairbourne. It will cover methods used by innovators such as Salwiki and LaPointe, and also use techniques from Armis and Penkat Silat.

Dress in regular street clothing and bring your own practice knife if you have one; otherwise,
weapons will be provided.

$60 (15% off for members)

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Mounted Combat Workshop & Games Day

Sunday, August 29 - 9:00am to 6:00pm

This is the final part of Academie Duello's Summer Mounted Combat program which also includes a class on Horsemanship, and a 4 class riding instruction series (starting on July 4th).

Both prior courses or equivalent experience is required to participate in the full day of the Mounted Combat Workshop. The Swordplay portions of the final workshop are open to anyone regardless of riding experience. If you are unable to attend the Horsemanship or Riding Courses we are offering, please contact us to make alternate instructional arrangements if you still wish to participate in this workshop.

The morning of our Mounted Combat Workshop will feature workshops in the fundamentals of sword fighting with the sidesword and longsword from the ground and from the saddle with swordmaster Devon Boorman, dressage clinic (Prix Caprilli or Quadrille) with EC level I coach Carla Corbett, and an introduction to jousting, and instruction in mounted games with Paddy Head of the Left Coast Lancers.

In the afternoon we will put the morning training to use in a games competition featuring ring-spearing, sword and block, and mounted javelin, among others.

Participants who wish to use borrowed horses must have successfully assessed for the first rank in both Horsemanship and Riding in our prior classes or have an equivalent certification through an external riding program. Grooms and handlers may assess for Horsemanship only.

Instructors: Paddy Head, Carla Corbett, Devon Boorman

Cost: $199
($299 for Horsemanship + Mounted Combat Workshop)

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Slaps and Slashes Stage Combat - 6 hrs

Sunday, August 29 - 11:00am to 5:00pm

Think back to some of your favorite films and plays. Often, the most exciting climaxes involve physical confrontation of some sort, be it a slap in a drama, a swordfight in Shakespeare, or an epic battle in a war movie. With the proper training, actors can create a heart-stopping climax for the audience while keeping each other safe.

Stunt performers and actors alike will benefit from this workshop. Even if your focus is TV and film, if you want to be an action hero, you'll need to do some of your own stunts. Stage managers and directors who want a better understanding of the craft are also welcome.

Safety is our primary concern during the workshop, but it's only the first step, as we want our heroes to look skilled, for the victims to look like they're really hurt, for the villain to be convincingly overcome, and for the murder to be horrible.

In this intensive one-day workshop, we'll cover:

- 3 Hours of Unarmed Stage Combat: slaps, punches, hair pulls, chokes, and more

- 3 Hours of Sabre for the Stage: attacks, parries, footwork, wounds and death

This is a full-day hands on workshop taught by professional fight choreographer, David McCormick.

$80, Class size limit 12 people
Register early to reserve your space.

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Body Mechanics - 8 hrs

Sunday, September 12 - 10:00am to 6:00pm

Whether you are brand new to the art of the rapier desiring to set down the best foundation, or an experienced practitioner wanting to cultivate better speed, agility, strength and endurance, this workshop will cater to your needs.

This workshop focuses on building a stable base, efficient movement, strong alignment of joints and muscle groups, and an understanding of the hows and why's of rapier technique.

Come prepared for a good workout both mentally and physically. Ideal for practitioners of the rapier of any school.

The workshop will conclude with an opportunity to test your mechanics and performance in a sharp weapons exercise (against various targets -- all inanimate). A lot of fun and a real eye-opener to the power of the rapier as a thrusting and cutting weapon.

Equipment Requirements: Rapier, gloves, and comfortable workout gear. Feel free to bring your own sharps for cutting. (all sharps brought by students will be assessed for use by the instructors first)

$100.00 (15% off for members)

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Umbrella Self Defense – 4 hours

Saturday, September 25 - 3:00pm to 7:00pm

Learn to fend off ruffians and rapscallions with Vancouver's most common weather-based accoutrement.

In this 4-hour workshop, participants will learn the art of self-defense with an umbrella or cane. Based on the Bartitsu system developed in turn of the century Victorian England, stick fighting is a practical, easily applied system of self-defense for any gentleman or lady.

This workshop is suitable for participants of any fitness level.
$60 (15% off for members)

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Falconry - 8 hours

Sunday, September 26 - 10:00am to 6:00pm

Falconry, the art of training and handling birds of prey for hunting, was an important part of knightly life. Academie Duello is proud to offer instruction in this art to complement the historical combat already practiced in our downtown venue.

In this class, you will learn:

- how to work with raptors like the Peregrine falcon, Gyr/Saker falcon and Harris hawk

- the basics of health, approach, picking up and casting

- how to make jesses, alymeri and other equipment

- some of the historical background and traditions behind the art of training these magnificent birds of prey

This is a full-day hands on workshop. For more information, please visit our Falconry section under Programs.

Class size limit 10 people, $140/$120 members, taught by our Falconer, Joanne Bentley. Register early to reserve your space.

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