Happy New Year everyone! With 2022 beginning on similar footing to how we began in 2021, it’s hard not to feel sad and frustrated that we are again separated from each other and unable to share the passion of swordplay as a community. Yet as I look back over the past year, I can’t help…
Public Health Closure December 23rd to January 18th
Dear Academie Duello Members and Customers, Due to the public health orders in effect from December 23rd to January 18th, we are required to cancel all adult group classes and bookings during this time. We will, however, be able to continue our Youth program, Knight Academie, for its winter term beginning January 8, as well…
Read More... from Public Health Closure December 23rd to January 18th
DIY Indoor Training Longsword
The longsword is a powerful piece of historical weaponry. Its mystique has captured our attention for hundreds of years and is consistently prevalent in both ancient texts and today’s pop culture. A typical training longsword is steel, between 40 and 50 inches in total length, and can take up some serious space when you…
Thank You For Keeping Swordplay Alive!
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…
Online Classes, Outdoor Classes, and More...
Thank you everyone for your continued support of our school and GoFundMe campaign. Everyone’s contributions have continued to make a difference in our ability to weather this challenging time. We are working our hardest to bring programs back to life and get Academie Duello back to a place of full health. We still need to…
Read More... from Online Classes, Outdoor Classes, and More...
Welcome to Academie Cavallo!
2020 marks ten years since Devon, Adam, and I started the Mounted Combat (Cavaliere) program at Academie Duello. And now, as of this summer, the program has a life of its own as Academie Cavallo! What's Changing Aside from the awesome new logo (thanks to my talented daughter Kate Landels), payment and registration for classes…
Reopening Plans Are Underway!
This past week has been exciting for Academie Duello. We have nearly reached the halfway mark in our GoFundMe campaign, we’re coming to the close of our So You Think You Can Sword? online forms competition, we just hosted our first in-person classes since we closed down, we are expanding online offerings, and we’re hard…
Get Back in the Saddle with the Mounted Combat Program
We're delighted to announce the return of scheduled Riding, Horsemanship, and Mounted Combat classes at Cornwall Ridge Equestrian, starting June 7th! COVID-19 Precautions We have always had small class sizes and plenty of open space at our stables. Riding class size will remain at the maximum of four, and we are restricting Mounted Combat classes…
Read More... from Get Back in the Saddle with the Mounted Combat Program
A Third of the Way to Our Funding Goal!
We have made it over a third of the way toward our GoFundMe campaign goal! At the time that I’m writing this we have raised nearly $27,000! Thank you everyone for your support and generosity! We have a lot on the go as we seek to support our school and keep things growing. By Donation…
Help Us Hit Our Crowdfunding Goal!
This past week we launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to help support Academie Duello through this difficult time. Since Friday we have raised over $20,000 of our $75,000 goal! Our centre is one of only a few institutions of its kind in the world that are seeking to revive the martial arts of Europe…
We've Got a Lot of New Stuff Going On!
Hello to all our Academie Duello students, members and friends! It’s amazing how time flies even when you’re isolated at home. Through this time we have been hard at work delivering online classes and staying connected with our members while also exploring new ways to teach and create community online. Before we share about all…
Celebrating VISS 2020
Long ago in a pre-pandemic world we held the 6th Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS). If you can, remember back to the beginning of March, oh so many weeks ago, when we could stand close enough to one another to cross swords, or tap feet and elbows in greeting. All the way back on the…
We're Still Going Strong!
Greetings Academie Duello members, friends, and followers! It’s been a while since we posted to the blog. I’m sure you can understand that we’ve been a bit occupied as have all of you. It’s about time that we reach out to all of you and let you know that we’re still alive and swinging! On…