This Autumn, dare to try something new, push the limits of your practice, and explore new passions! Our Fall season is packed full of workshops that will challenge your mind and body while having fun. Here's a look at of few of our upcoming workshops in October:

Umbrella Self-Defence

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

In this 4-hour workshop led by David McCormick, 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 and also allows students to continue on in our ongoing Bartitsu classes. The next Umbrella Self-Defence workshop is being held this Sunday, October 20th from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, and is almost full! If you can't make it, don't fret -- we will be holding this workshop regularly throughout the Fall/Winter season.

This workshops costs $60 + tax, with a 15% discount for members.

Click here to see our Workshops Calendar for this and other upcoming workshops.

Fiore vs. Modern knife

On Saturday, October 26th, from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, join Director Devon Boorman for this exciting workshop! Tested on the battlefields and streets of late middle age Europe, the system of Armizare of Fiore dei Liberi is a robust system of wrestling, knife, sword, spear, and mounted combat. This workshop will focus on the application of this deadly system against modern knives and modern wrestling techniques using modern knives and improvised weapons.

Students will learn:

How to control the 3 centres of the fight to defend yourself and defeat your opponent.
Employing the four stages of defeating the opponent: Striking in a place of pain, breaking structure, taking space, and applying holds, breaks, and throws.
Knife vs knife, baton vs knife, and other forms of improvised defensive tools.

This workshop is ideal for martial practitioners from Western and Eastern martial arts backgrounds interested in deepening their understanding of wrestling and counter-knife techniques.

This workshops costs $60 + tax, with a 15% discount for members.

Click here to see this on our Workshops Calendar.

Bow-Making Workshop with Ravenbeak Natureworks

Create your very own bow during this three day workshop running Tuesday, Octber 29th to Thursday, October 31st, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Join bowyer Jamie MacDonald and learn the art of building a traditional wooden bow. Jamie is versed in many different styles (longbow, flatbow, recurve, etc.) and will help you craft an exceptional and functional bow.

All materials - including a seasoned pacific yew stave - and tools are included.

During this three day course you will learn how to:

Select a yew wood stave
Process the stave
Tiller the bow
Make a Flemish twist bowstring
Finish the bow

The full three-day course costs $395.00 + GST and includes everything you need to create your own beautiful, functional bow.

To see pictures of a past Bow-making workshop at Academie Duello, check out our Flickr album here.

Learn more about Ravenbeak Natureworks on their website.

Click here to see this on our Workshops Calendar.

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.