With 2014 now upon us many people are looking at their New Year's resolutions. Almost every person I know has something on that list pertaining to trying something new as well as improving their health and fitness. One of the great things about Academie Duello is that with the new year brings a new set of introductory courses that can focus on getting fit while trying something brand new and exciting.
Perhaps you've been thinking of coming into Academie Duello for awhile now, or maybe you're already a student who is looking to try out new classes to expand their knowledge and skills as a Western Martial Artist. Maybe, you've just stumbled upon this blog by chance and you're intrigued and inspired to learn something new while living the dream you've had since childhood of wielding a longsword like Conan the Barbarian or She-ra Princess of Power, learning how to eloquently use a rapier like the Three Musketeers or fighting crime and kicking butt in style like Sherlock Holmes.
We have three different introductory courses to tickle your fancy and inspire you to reach your 2014 fitness goals and new year's resolutions.
Taste of the Renaissance
This beginner’s swordfighting program brings students through an introduction to the art of the rapier, sidesword, and longsword. At the end of the eight beginner classes you will be able to graduate to the first rank of the school and enter the Mastery Program.
Students of Taste of the Renaissance can expect:
- An introduction to the fighting system of Armizare and the duelling systems of the Italian Renaissance.
- Intensive training on the fundamentals of rapier combat with the goal of developing excellent technique.
- Instruction in the fundamentals of the sidesword and longsword.
- A First Rank Examination at the end of the 8 classes. Success will enable you to graduate into the first rank (Green Cord) of the school and continue into the Mastery Program.
Courses start on the first full week of each month and can be taken on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm or Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, for one month, or Saturdays only at 11:30am for two months.
Warrior Fundamentals
Your entry into our longsword and sword and shield programs as well as our fitness classes starts with Warrior Fundamentals. In this 8-class beginner swordfighting program, students will learn the fundamental skills of the traditional European warrior including wrestling, longsword, sword and shield, spear, and poleaxe.
Students can expect:
- An invigorating workout combining combat drills with contemporary aerobics and callisthenics.
- Instruction in the basics of Armizare, a medieval Italian combat system designed to train knights for battle.
- A focus on heavy, slashing swords like the longsword and sidesword.
- An encouraging and supportive environment for learning new skills and meeting fitness goals.
Warrior Fundamentals courses start the first full week of each month and run on Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm, for one month, or Saturdays at 10am only for two months.
Fight Like Sherlock Holmes
Bartitsu is a practical martial art with many interlocking skills. Our new four-week Fight Like Sherlock Holmes course gives students an in-depth introduction into the fundamentals of Bartitsu. The curriculum focuses on one subject each week, integrating them together as the course progresses:
- Week 1: Introduction to Jujitsu
- Week 2: Introduction to Pugilism
- Week 3: Introduction to Savate
- Week 4: Introduction to Walking Stick
Starting at the beginning of every month, Fight Like Sherlock Holmes classes run every Monday night from 8:00pm to 10:00pm, Wednesday night from 8:00pm to 10:00pm and, Saturday from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.
Introductory Workshops
If you can't commit a month to swordplay training we offer many 4-hour introductory workshops in swordplay, bartitsu, archery, mounted combat and more. Check out our workshop calendar for more information.
Come and visit us in person at our downtown location, contact our front desk at 604-568-9907 or by email at info@academieduello.com to sign-up for any (or all) of these three fun, exciting courses starting as early as January 6th, 2014.
Happy New Year!
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.