This Sunday from 1 - 4pm the arena at Red Colt will be alive once more with the thunder of hooves, the twang of bowstrings and the clash of swords for our August Playday. Mounted Games Anyone with Riding Level 1 or the equivalent can participate in these non-combative games of speed and skill, such…
Fight Directors Canada sets the standards for stage combat in this country, just like the Society of American Fight Directors does in the U.S.A. and the British Academy of Dramatic Combat does in the U.K. What are those standards, and what do the levels mean? I hope to answer all your questions on FDC Certification…
Learning physical skills is a tricky thing. It’s important as a student that you’re practicing in the most effective and efficient manner for getting results in your desired performance environment (e.g. a duel, a tournament, a melee, etc.). Two Types of Practice There are two primary practice schema that can be applied when acquiring new…
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The ever-popular Horseback Archery returns to Red Colt this Sunday, July 26th. We have two workshops with Robert Borsos of Borsos Torzs Horse Archery this weekend. These workshops are loads of fun, and won't return until Carosella. Don't miss out -- sign up today! Beginner Horseback Archery Whether you are an expert rider or archer,…
This week, we'll take a look at at a video that compares Pentjak Silat with Krav Maga (in French). Their goal, as stated by Frank Ropers at the start of the session, is to show both schools that their styles mesh together very well. From a Bartitsu perspective, I love using this type of thing…
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…
What is Fancypants doing lying in the field? And who are those mysterious characters in black? To find out you'll have to wait till the next episode of the Vancouver B Movie Factory airs on Shaw TV. There will be swords, arrows, horses, and Fiore himself in 'The Flower of Battle'. In the meantime ...…
Are you left-handed in a world of right-handed sword fighters? Or perhaps like Maisie Williams, who plays Arya Stark on Game of Thrones, you are right-handed but cast to play a left-handed character. Should your stage combat training include ambidexterity? Why Are You Smiling? I just read this interview with Maisie Williams (Arya Stark) about…
The official web page for the Academie Duello Instructor Training Program is now live! This page includes more details about the program, the intensive that starts on October 26th, instructor levels, our methodology, and some sample lesson materials. You can check it out here. Remember that registration opens for a limited time and for a…
This was going to be the "fashion issue"… but then I found the item of the month. Most martial arts salles or groups have a written or implied code of conduct by which instructors and students agree to be a better person… physically, morally, and ethically. Some groups have a youth program, in which young people may…
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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Riding Level 3: Safety, Confidence, and Control of Pace This is the final checklist item on your Riding Level 3 test. In some ways 'safety, confidence and control' seem like nebulous criteria, and it is true that the final mark in the this category is based on an overall impression generated from your whole ride. …
I am “Eduardo-from-Spain”. Most of you know who I am, but I guess some others do not. Well, I lived for two amazing years in Vancouver. I thought it would be fun, but I could not believe that a place such as Academie Duello was possible. So I’m writing here about how lucky I was…