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…
Carosella 2017 Registration is now open for Carosella 2017, our three day symposium of mounted combat, archery, and games! This exciting event, now in its fifth year, consists of two days of workshops on ground and on horseback for all levels of riding, swordplay, and archery. New for 2017 Interested in learning mounted combat techniques…
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…
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…
Yes! We may have been snowed out for our regularly scheduled Playday on February 5th, so we've thumbed our noses at the weather and the schedule alike, and will hold it on March 5th instead. No need to register in advance: just show up. Mounted games and mounted sparring right after Mounted Combat Class. Bring…
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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Let the clash of steel be what rings in your new year! Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay and Mission-Possible are hosting one of this year's most unique and exciting evenings of dancing, fun activities, canapés, and swordplay! Why not enjoy a fun New Year's Eve and support charity at the same time? Get your tickets…
It's back — the fourth Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium! February 17th to 19th, 2017 will be a weekend of amazing learning right in the heart of beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. The theme this year is This vs That: An Exploration of Martial Asymmetry. This is a do-not-miss event and I heartily recommend that you attend.…
What an amazing weekend! The skies were blue, the temperature was perfect, the horses were on their best behaviour, and the participants were incredible at Carosella 2016. On Friday the focus was on Horsemanship, Riding, and Mounted Combat Skills -- ie, the core tracks of our Mounted Combat Program. For Horsemanship we had Diane Prosser…
Online registration closes today for Carosella! As our major event for the year, Carosella is your last (and sometimes only) chance to participate in some workshops and events in 2016, including: Intro to Mounted Combat Horseback Archery Classical Riding Clinics (only 1 space left!) Prix Fiore workshop Bandaging & Equine First Aid Clinics Ballet at the Barn Grooms'…
Please join us in welcoming Red Colt's new resident caretakers, Elise Marquis and Graham Dube! Elise and Graham moved in at the end of April, and we are thrilled to have them join our team. Over the past year there has been a fair amount of upheaval at the barn with co-op members pulling in…
Let’s see now; what is "proper" historical swordplay? There are many definitions: Swordplay as it is strictly interpreted from a specific fightbook. The swordplay (tempered with safety concerns) employed by the SCA in their efforts to accurately recreate an overall (family-friendly) "feel" of being in the Medieval or Renaissance period. Swordplay as a martial art-driven, "totally different" fitness program.…
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This past Tuesday night, I got home from the school at about midnight. After class, which ends at 10pm, I spent another hour and a half with Greg committing more rapier and sidesword exercises to video. This is our third week of shooting this particular content. To support this month’s 30 for 30 Swordplay Challenge,…
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The third annual 30 for 30 Swordplay Challenge is just about to start on January 2nd! If you’ve heard of yoga challenges, you know what this is about. It’s like that, but way cooler… there's swords. The challenge: practice swordplay for 30 minutes per day for 30 days in January from the 2nd to the 31st.…
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It’s the first day of the holiday and it’s always a bit confusing when you don’t go about your usual routine. I find myself not at Academie Duello, as I have been nearly every day for the past two weeks, but instead at my in-laws' for the preparation of Christmas Eve dinner. Now we set…
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Every year the Vancouver institution that is the Georgia Straight runs an open poll to determine the "Best of Vancouver" in a variety of different categories, and for many businesses it is the measure of success and recognition in the city. Whereas restaurants and hotels have comprehensively recognised marks of excellence, in a lot of cases…
Hello everyone, I have some exciting news. On October 26th we are launching our first Instructor Training and Study Group Program! This program will give you the basis to start an official Academie Duello study group in your area or take the first step toward being an Academie Duello instructor. By joining the program you…
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