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Next sessions starting
August 2, 3 & 7
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Western Martial Art?
A martial art that is based on the remnant teachings of European medieval and renaissance warriors. We have many writings left over from these times, and the modern sports of boxing, wrestling and fencing are descendants of the original arts.
Is it really a martial art, like Kung Fu or Karate?
Yup. It's an effective form of self-defense; it's based on battlefield techniques, and originated in a centuries old tradition of schools and scholarship tested in life-and-death combat.
What types of weapons do you use?
Our core weapons are the rapier, sidesword, and longsword combined with unarmed and knife. Throughout your time at the Academie you will study these weapons extensively as well as many other weapons including quarterstaff, spear, smallsword, and classical sabre.
Aren't the weapons huge, heavy and awkward?
That's an old fallacy. The largest of the medieval swords, the great two-handed war swords, weigh at most 8 pounds and that is considered a very heavy sword. The average longsword is less than 4 pounds, and the average rapier is about 2.5 pounds. Now all that being said, holding a sword aloft for an extended period of time is strenuous and usually applies muscles a new pracititoner is not accustomed to using. Expect that on your first night you'll want to switch hands a lot. Your ability to wield the weapon without tiring will quickly get better with training.
How many people do this?
Western Martial Arts are undergoing a worldwide renaissance. Most major cities in North America and most Western European countries have a school or study group. Additinally there are historical recreation groups that include functional Western Martial Arts such as the Society for Creative Anachronism and renaissance fairs that account for a significant number of practitioners. All told there are probably 20,000 to 30,000 practitioners, at some level or another, in the world right now. Academie Duello is the largest school of Western Martial Arts in North America with well over 200 actively training members based out of our Vancouver location and in our classes in Toronto.
What is the origin of your martial art?
The art that we practice and teach at Academie Duello originates in Renaissance Italy. The roots of the art begin with Maestro Fiore dei Liberi of Fruili Italy who wrote down his original teachings in 1430 in his book the Flos Duellatorum (the Flower of Battle). His manual detailed wrestling, knife, sword in one hand, sword in two hands, spear, armoured, and mounted combat. At Academie Duello we have used the basis of Fiore's work to create a system of arms that includes the later period teachings of Single-handed cutting from the Bolognese traditions of Achille Marozzo and the rapier skills of the late Italian masters such as Ridolfo Capo Ferro and Salvator Fabris.
Do people get injured? Is it safe?
We have a very good safety record. Though we use steel weapons, they are blunted and made for practice. Respect and control are emphasized strongly in classes and any sparring activities are done with proper protective gear for the weapons being used. The worst injuries that we have had in class have been sprained ankles and bruises typical of most active sports.
What is the age range in your classes?
Our main classes focus on adults and mature youths age 14 and up. Ages of our members range from in their late teens to late fifties. We always endeavor to create a comfortable environment for students of any age and at any level of fitness.
Do you run classes for kids?
Classes are available for youths age 8 - 14, check out our Youth Program page for more information. Private instruction for individuals or small groups is also available for students who do not meet our age requirements.
I've done Kung Fu/Karate/etc and I can kick your butt.
Empty hand combat gets really good press, both in Hollywood and in folk tales. Almost everyone has seen or heard tales of ancient martial artists consistently defeating armed opponents, sometimes even when outnumbered. This is probably why ancient armies never bothered to carry swords, spears, maces, and axes, or wore armour. What was the point?
Training in pugilistic sports can give you a really great understanding of combat the range of the foot and hand, and closer. It can give you great confidence in your abilities but it's important to remember that you spend most of your training time working within that range. This was the big surprise to many martial artists years ago when Brazilian Jujitsu hit the scene. The range went from hand and foot to body-to-body. Martial artists unused to that range discovered that they had become complacent about what combat really was. It involves more than one range, or one set of conditions.
Weapon training adds another range, and proficient duellists know that range intimately. To put it bluntly, you won't kick our butts unless you train like we do, and learn to use our weapons. Which, honestly, is how a lot of us got started. We happily accept challenges in the spirit of friendly competition and mutual scholarship. Come and talk to us, we are open minded and always love friendly discussions and debates.
Do you use foils, sabres, or epees?
No. The closest weapon we use to the modern olympic fencing weapons is the renaissance rapier. These weapons are heavier, have a diamond cross section, and can be used for both cutting and thrusting. What we practice with in class are in every way the real thing but are blunted and unsharpened. Modern Olympic weapons are too short, too light, and too flexible to enforce proper rapier technique when learning.
I've trained in Olympic-style fencing. Is what you teach similar?
In some ways. Olympic fencing, particularly epee fencing, can build great basics for a rapier fencer. However swordfighting style is predominantly dictated by the weapon used, and a rapier is heavier than an epee. Many, if not the majority, of techniques used in Olympic fencing are inappropriate when used with a heavier weapon.
How many women do this?
Lots. Our competitions are not segregated by sex. Men compete against women, and vice-versa. There are many women champions in rapier combat, and it's not uncommon for classes to be half men, half women.