Dear Friends, Supporters, and Swordplay Fans! We couldn’t be more thankful for all the contributions we have received throughout the campaign, both big and small. Your support has reminded us how important Academie Duello is in our community for our members, students, and supporters from around the world (so many of you!). We started this…
This past week I hosted a free online webinar about how to take a technique learned in class and make it something that is actually an internalized skill. This is a process that is well understood in sport science but very under-practiced within HEMA. The norm in many clubs and study groups is simply to…
Well it's been nearly a month since the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS) took place at the Richmond Oval and I'm finally free to write a bit about what happened and how it went! This was our fifth bi-annual event and each time it comes around it provides new adventures and opportunities for both its…
Three members of the Academie Duello crew and I visited the February 8-10 Capitol Clash in Washington, DC. This is a well run HEMA tournament event that runs alongside a huge modern fencing tournament all hosted by the Virginia Academy of Fencing (VAF). I had the pleasure of being part of the reffing staff, a…
I had the pleasure this past weekend of being a judge, ring director, and instructor at Lord Baltimore's Challenge in Washington, DC, an event put on by David Biggs and a large crew of people from diverse groups such as Maryland KDF, Virginia Academy of Fencing, and the DC-area SCA chapters. David's goals with the…
On the weekend of June 1st, 2018, Academie Duello hosted our third annual Vancouver Martial Challenge. This is a weekend focused on the joy of sparring in a relaxed and collaborative environment. Each day all of the participants endeavour to spar with one another (in a diversity of disciplines) and at the end of each day…
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This past weekend, I had the special honour of seeing one of my senior students, Matheus Olmedo, elevated to the rank of Provost (the fourth level, just before Master). I wrote about what was involved in this gruelling two-day ordeal in last week's post. It was a superb thing to be a part of, along…
Duelling with Cause returns on Friday, June 8th 2018! House Stark stood upon the stage of last year's event victorious. Now they challenge the fighters and supporters of the great opposing houses to return to Academie Duello to fight for honour, fun, and charity! Join Academie Duello and Mission-Possible for one of this year's most…
Happy New Year everyone from all of us at Academie Duello! Thanks for being part of our community and helping us provide a place where people can push out of their comfort zones, do fun and exciting things, find confidence and strength, become fitter and healthier, and meet great new friends and supporters. We have…
It’s only Christmas Day and we’re already missing swordplay! We hope you’re having a wonderful time with your families in whatever holiday traditions you celebrate. It’s been a special year at Academie Duello from our fourth (and largest!) Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium in the Spring to our fourth Carosella Mounted Combat symposium in the Fall!…
Greg Reimer is an Academie Duello Provost (our most senior student level) and the Director of Sword Fight Canada in Valemount, BC as well as my partner in crime for our online video mastery program Duello.TV. He just got home a few days ago from an epic cross Canada trip where he visited many clubs,…
So this past weekend I attended the bi-annual Western Martial Arts Workshop in Racine, Wisconsin. Hosted by the Chicago Swordplay Guild, this is one of North America's oldest European swordplay and martial arts events. The weekend features workshops, social activities, a feast, and copious amounts of free sparring and sharing between attendees. It's also held…
Although the primary focus of Carosella is mounted combat, there are many opportunities to increase your martial skills or equine knowledge while keeping your feet on the ground. And because you aren't using a horse, the cost is only $75 for a full day. Here are some of the great offerings available on Friday and…
This past weekend, we hosted the Vancouver Martial Challenge at Academie Duello and it was a tremendous weekend of inter-disciplinary sparring and camaraderie. The goals of this event are to: Foster Authentic Martial Combat Inspire Personal Challenge and Growth Create Community Through the Joy of Martial Arts There are many tournaments around the world and…
This past weekend, I was teaching in Istanbul, Turkey, a city that was arguably the centre of the western world at one time. It is a city steeped in both European and Asian history. Every site you visit reveals layer upon layer of history that goes back at least 2000 years. This makes Istanbul both…
A little more than a week ago, I was arriving in Italy to the sala of Roberto Gotti for a special gathering of swordsmen called Giocatore. This was a weekend of martial encounters across disciplines, opportunities to share knowledge, and time to immerse oneself in study and camaraderie. First about Gairethinx Gairethinx in the Lombard…
Academie Duello is proud to announce our listing of official study groups and affiliate schools around North America! All of these groups are run by certified study group leaders or ranked instructors. If you’re keen on learning what we have to offer, but don’t live in Vancouver, now is your chance to connect with a…
Public registration for the Academie Duello Instructor Intensive taking place March 6th to 10th is now open! Join us in beautiful Vancouver, Canada for a fun and challenging 50-hour immersion in the arts of the rapier and longsword. If you have ever dreamed of being a teacher of Historical European Martial Arts or simply want…
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