Examinations this Friday
Rank Examinations are coming up this Friday at 7pm. As of writing we have 4 people ready to test for the rank of Blue Cord (our second level). If you've never been to a rank examination it is a great opportunity to see the Academie in action, and if you're a member, support your fellow students.
Examinations happen in two parts: 1. Demonstration - Where students demonstrate technique with new skills they have learned since achieving their last level. These are expected to be demonstrated with level-appropriate proficiency in drill and slow-sparring. 2. Combative Examination - Here students show off their proficiency with the skills of their last rank under the stresses of combat.
I highly recommend coming out and seeing the test in action. If you're a part of the school you should definitely come out and support your fellow students with your voices or your blades.
Translation Project
Guy Windsor, head instructor of the School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, is working on a new translation project of Philippo Vadi's 15th century text on the Longsword. This is an excellent undertaking of a beautiful manuscript. He is working to raise funds through an Indiegogo campaign. If you're interested you should check it out and send a few dollars his way for the perk of having an early copy! You can check out his campaign here.
Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques. Read more from Devon Boorman.