Hello all, After an eventful weekend with Mom (archery at Academie Duello, t-rexes at Science World, and a bumpy boat ride on Howe Sound) I'm back for more bootcamp news! Perhaps it was my weekend break, my pre- 11pm bedtime, or my newly confirmed desire for self-awareness and bodily presence that gave me…
The Mastery Program, this week, at Academie Duello
This is an intense week in Mastery class with some of the most detail oriented yet prolific topics at hand at the various levels. For Green Cords we are working on gaining control of the opponent's weapon as they move toward us. This is one of my favourite months and weeks for its beautiful efficiency.…
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World Sword and Acting Press
We have lots of WMA/HEMA press this week – but all the reported activity is apparently overseas!We are consistently amazed at the amount of publically popular and civic-supported WMA/HEMA/Re-Creation activity taking place throughout Slavic Europe – very little of which gets any coverage by our Western communities. Wes A little place to call your own…
A Stable Situation: needs and habits of the horse
Aside from food, which was covered in last week's post, a horse needs shelter and security. These topics were both covered in previous posts (see links). For the Horsemanship 1 test we ask about 10. Stabling: needs and habits of the horse Along with reference to food, secure fencing, and shelter, we want to see…
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Guest Archery post
Our Archery program formally launched in February of this year and has been cruising steadily along with high popularity (for those wondering we're aiming - Hah! - to add a second class in September). Today's post is brought to you courtesy of the Head of the Archery Program, Patricia Gonsalves. She recently returned from…
My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 3
Good day, all! TGIF- and not only because it’s the end of the week; today was power day in bootcamp. I like power day because it means I can go all out and release any pent up energy and emotion accumulated throughout the week. Yes, on power day, I Iet my body do the…
Practice swordfighting from your living room with Duello.TV!
We are proud to announce the launch of Duello.TV, an exciting portal into the Western Martial Arts we practice here at Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay. You can now access lessons on the rapier, sword and shield, and longsword at home, work or on the go. We’ve been working long and hard on this…
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My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 2
Hello Everyone, So, yesterday was my second day of May bootcamp. (I forgot to mention last time, but it happens three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.) My apologies for the lateness of this post; I’m still getting the hang of this whole blogging process -this is my first blog ever! And what…
[Photo] Working the front desk at Academie Duello
Check out Academie Duello's Ultimate Knight!
This past Friday was an exciting day at Academie Duello. Sterling, who late last year received Academie Duello's Ultimate Knight package from the Grant a Wish Foundation, received the final and crowning component of the package: a full suit of custom sized plate armour. The Ultimate Knight package includes weapons, armour, practice equipment, private lessons,…
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My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience - Day 1
Hello fellow sword and fitness enthusiasts! This morning was the first morning of May Swordfit Bootcamp. Bleary eyed and yawning when I rolled into Academie Duello at 7am, I was nevertheless prepared to get my butt whipped into shaped. Today's theme was precision, and like all bootcamp days , we started with a 10 min…
What's on the Menu?
There's a lot of news and fun stuff this week, so lets get the lesson over with right away, shall we? Basic Feeding First of all, go and re-read this post from January, which covers basic feeding. There is an entire science to equine nutrition, but for Horsemanship level 1 test we ask specifically about:…
Sword and Shield Dirty Plays Workshop Recap
This past Saturday I taught a workshop on the grittier, all-in, side of Sword and Buckler combat. We explored shield strikes, wrestling entries, arm binds, disarms, throws, and counter-wrestles. The workshop had 12 participants and went superbly. I've included a few photos taken by Greg Reimer during the workshop showing a few techniques in action. …
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