Academie Duello

My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience – Day 5

posterousauthor — Thu, 17 May 2012 00:07:55 +0000

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 extra vigor this morning; either way, I experience a heightened level of enjoyment in day 5 of bootcamp.

Being Wednesday, the theme was again circles. We started with footwork, moving in advances, retreats, passes and tutta voltas (full turns). Then we added swords; see my fellow bootcampers rocking the exercise below.

I’d like to clarify the name of our second 20 min section; it is perhaps more accurate to call it the “theme section” as opposed to the circuit section.

So, our circle “theme section” today included more rolls, quarterstaff flourishes, rope spinning and pell cutting. With two pells that I could spin between, it was as if I were fighting two opponents from opposing sides. In the true bootcamp fashion, Mané yelled out instructions: “Make sure you’re cutting with the top third of the blade! Watch your footwork! That’s good!” In addition to this verbal motivation, we had some epic movie music to work out to.

Arte, ardore, onore,
Sophia

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The Mastery Program, this week, at Academie Duello

posterousauthor — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:12:10 +0000

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. Let your opponent do all the moving while you help them run onto your sword. Check out this week’s videos on Duello.TV to do some pre-class warm-up or distance ed.

For Blue Cords we are continuing our exploration of the sidesword guards looking at the Stretta and Alta guards. These point online positions employ much of the structure and approach we know from the longer rapier but also integrate powerful slicing and cleaving cuts. We posted a video that goes through all of the guards and their names on Duello.TV, check it out:

Red Cords are working on Dente al Cinghiara and Porta di Ferro. Both of these guards are excellent defenders and great positions from which to provoke an opponent. Take a look at the videos for last week’s making and defeating Posta Finestra for some good review.

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World Sword and Acting Press

posterousauthor — Tue, 15 May 2012 23:29:12 +0000

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

RAPID CITY JOURNAL (S Dakota) 03 May 12 Man showcases his love for history, antique swords (Shell Jeffery-Tomjack)

DeWayne Walker is ‘living the dream’; having a ‘sword room’ with 12-foot ceilings and faux-brick walls just for the purpose of displaying his extensive personal armoury of swords from the United Kingdom, the USA, France, Italy and Japan.

On the glass display case rest World War I candlesticks made from the hilts of swords. DeWayne said during the war the Germans would cut the sword off and turn the hilts into candlesticks as mementos to present to the parents of soldiers who were killed in action.

DeWayne used to polish the swords once a year, but a specialist told him it was better for the swords to let the natural patina occur. “That was good news,” he joked. “It sure saved me a lot of time.” (Wes note: And possibly save some value as well. Some etchings, bluing and inlays can be irrevocably lost due to improper polishing or ‘cleaning’)

What do you mean ‘There’s nothing to do in here’? Go outside (far outside) and find your friends. And take your little sister with you!

KURSK WEB (Russia) 05 May 12 Под Курском пройдёт фестиваль «Курская Засека – 2012»

A multitude of Russian fight clubs and recreation groups joined together for this year’s ‘Kursk Zaseka’ event – a medieval (Golden Horde era) and cultural meeting that has one-on-one and five-on-five competitions. Again as with so many similar Russian initiatives – this event has concrete civic and financial support from city and regional government offices.

ТУРИЗМ И ОТДЫХ (Minsk, Belarus) 06 May 12 Гродно окунулся в эпохи рыцарей и казаков

The same thing as above, but this time in that Belarus centre of Slavic Martial Arts – Grodno!

МЕДИАРЯЗАНЬ (Ryazan, Russia) 23 April 12 Рязанцы сразились на мечах

РОДНОЙ ГОРОД (Ryazan, Russia) 23 April 12 “Рязанские витязи” померялись силой”

And in Ryazan, the aptly named “Ryazan Knight” historical fencing, fifth-annual championship involved fighters from eight clubs competing in ‘sword-and-shield’ and ‘any weapon’ categories. Of note, this regional fighting championship has both men and women’s divisions

ГАЗЕТА (Kiev, Ukraine) 23 April 12 В Хотинской крепости тысячи людей воспроизвели эпоху Средневековья.

In the Ukraine, they were just as busy hosting their annual Khotyn Fortress demonstration and melee – with contingents from three nations and over a thousand paying spectators.

And while I’m not sure what exact martial discipline was being featured in the sword and pole arm demonstrations, but from the look of the photos, it was a truly impressive display of interest and enthusiasm if nothing else. (Our personal favourite being photo #18 – fight your way up hill – to the edge of a cliff – and keep pushing! There may – or may not – be a staff-wielding ‘umpire’ somewhere in the pile.)

And if our interpretation is correct, there’s some women looking forward to being able to get into the massed melees as well!

Don’t try this at your home salle, I’m a professional

DAILY HERALD (Chicago, Illinois) 05 May 12 Stunts in ‘The Avengers’ demand a blend of fighting styles

For those that specialise in choreographing and training for stage-fights; the movie ‘The Avenger’s presented some interesting challenges.

Each hero(ine) had to be trained in and drilled in ‘martial arts’ (any combination of archery, Wushu, Kung Fu, medieval wrestling, knife and staff fighting) unique to their characters background, physical attributes and ‘culture’, and their fight scenes choreographed appropriately.

Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) quipped he spent more time preparing than in front of the camera.

And Scarlet Johansson added: “It’s choreographed steps that are all put together in order for you to pack a punch and in order to make it safe and not as painful as it could be.”

The most important point about learning dramatic and entertaining stage combat comes from Eusebio though: “He said he makes sure to remind the actors he works with that even though the stunt training instils confidence, the fighting skills they learn on set don’t really translate to the street”.

“In screen fighting you want to look like you’re hurting them without hurting them. In self-defense on the street, you’re there to maim or hurt someone”.

PRESS-ENTERPRISE (Riverside, California) 09 May 12 Swordplay integral to Shakespeare Festival (Penny E. Schwartz)

The Redlands Shakespeare Festival has recovered from their suffering a theft of swords (Hmmm …. There’s a movie title in there somewhere, We’re sure), and is again practicing to put on dramatic (but safe) swordfights during their stage productions.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry helped to secure the monies needed to replace some of the $3K-worth lost kit and allow three planned productions to get (realistically) underway.

“If the swords were not there, it would be immediately obvious. They are more important than costumes.”

“Stage combat is like a dance, which starts slow and builds its pace.” Although any actor can learn it, the process is tedious and time-consuming, he said. A 30-second sword battle can take hours to stage and rehearse properly.

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A Stable Situation: needs and habits of the horse

posterousauthor — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:12:54 +0000

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 candidates mention the need for regular exercise, health and hoof care, and care for the horse’s mental state. Horses are creatures of habit, and are much more content with a regular routine. They are also herd animals, so need companionship, and are usually happier in their work when they have formed a good relationship with their riders and handlers.

At this level we are not looking for a thorough knowledge of stabling practices, farriery, vet care or conditioning — all that comes at higher levels in the program!

This week in Riding & Horsemanship

The curriculum for class #2 is:

Horsemanship
Level 1: parts of the saddle & bridle; review grooming & tacking up
Level 2: care & cleaning of tack; assembling & storing
Level 3: full grooming kit; snaffle bits
Level 4: complete grooming; martingales, nosebands, breastplates & curb bits
Level 5: stable vs grass kept horse; feed programs for conditioning; feed quality

Riding
Level 1: two-point postion; rising & sitting trot;changes of rein
Level 2: review trot diagonals; canter transitions; stirrupless work
Level 3: serpentines, trot poles, x-rails & low jumps in 2-point
Level 4: deepening seat; sitting trot w/o stirrups; gymnastics & grid-work
Level 5: turn on forehand; simple change through canter-trot-canter; course of small fences

It’s not too late to sign up for the remaining three classes in the series:

Saturdays 4:00pm – 7:30pm
May 19, June 9 & 16
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op
cost: $60, or $200 for 4 classes
Horsemanship only: $30 or $100 for 4

Open Barn & Work Party

For a change of pace we’re holding our monthly Open Barn and Work Party on the holiday Monday instead of Sunday. This is a chance to come down and work independently on your riding, horsemanship, or mounted combat skills. For those of you who would like to lend a hand building fences, attacking blackberries, painting jump rails, or otherwise sprucing up the place, your help is most welcome!

Monday 21 May
Work Party: 1pm – 5pm
Open Barn: 2pm – 4pm
Red Colt Equestrian Farm Co-op
12320 No 2 Road, Richmond

See you at the stables!

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Guest Archery post

posterousauthor — Sun, 13 May 2012 19:27:54 +0000

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 Hawaii where she had a chance to do some shooting at some rather unconventional targets. See one of them below; there is another photo but it freaked me out so I told her I wouldn't post it (though I'm sure that she'd love to show it off if you asked her).
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On a recent trip to Hawaii, somewhere I'd never thought I'd go, I had the chance to visit the island of Lanai.

Lanai is what used to be the Dole pineapple empire. I can only imagine what a beautiful island it must of been before row after row of pineapple took over.
As it slowly rebuilds after Dole pulled up roots and left for the Philippines, Lanai has embraced the 'adventure tourist' with various outdoor sports being offered on this beautiful island.

Lanai Pines Sporting Clays is one of many 'adventures' one can do there. Don't be fooled by its name, Lanai Pines doesn't only offer clay shooting but also my favourite pastime: archery.

I was so happy to learn that I could bring my bow and arrows to Maui with me and planned to try out Lanai Pines' outdoor 3D shoot.
As any of you who may know me, 3D is my favourite kinda shootin' out there. Needless to say, I was excited! Turns out I had total reason to be, Lanai Pines offers one of the best 3D courses I've ever been on. It was a fun, beautiful walk through Ironwood Pines, with a little shooting in between. Kind of like golf but instead of a good walk ruined, it was a good walk enhanced.

I had the chance to shoot all manner of both marked and unmarked targets, mountain goat to alligator to boar. As you can see from the picture below, the boar and I reconciled after I poked it full of holes.

Aside from having a blast, being on Lanai reminded me that as archers it is important for us to support each other all over the world in our incredible chosen sport. With the interest in archery on the rise it is even more important to meet new clubs and represent our own clubs, City and Nation. So next time you are heading out on vacation do some internet searching for local archery clubs. I find it best to write and email or even call and let them know you are coming.

Perhaps we will start a new trend; Archery Tourism.

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My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience – Day 3

posterousauthor — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:58:14 +0000

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 thinking.

20 mins cutting:
The clip below shows me swinging the claymore for the first time. For those of you who don’t know what a claymore is, it is, well, a big Scottish sword. At nearly five pounds, the claymore weighs almost twice that of the longswords we use more often in bootcamp. Needless to say, I had to go pretty slow with this one.

20 mins circuits:
You’re probably thinking, “Well, that’s nice, but where’s the ‘going all out’ that Sophia was talking about?” That’s where the power circuits came into play. As much as I like swords, I also like boxing and self defense. In addition to cutting around the pell with the black polypropylene longsword, it was kicking and punching the pell that really got me going. (You can see Katie doing some pretty sweet kicks in the next clip.)

I will miss you on Monday, as my mom is coming into town- we’re gonna have an early morning adventure touring Howe Sound on a high speed inflatable boat. I’ll be back again on Wednesday for more swords & sweat!

Arte, Ardore, Onore,
Sophia

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Practice swordfighting from your living room with Duello.TV!

posterousauthor — Fri, 11 May 2012 02:25:48 +0000

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 project for the past 8 months (8 years if you include all the work required to create our curriculum) and now we’re ready to open up to the public.

Every week we are posting new videos to the site based on what we’re currently teaching in class. So you can now advance your skills with lessons that build in complexity as you build in skill.

Sign-up to be a member and we’ll send you a weekly training email that links to that week’s featured videos, solo exercises, and training advice. You’ll also get access to the first two chapters of our Introduction to Italian Rapier DVD. Membership is free!

Sign-up to be a subscriber ($9.95/mo) and you’ll get unlimited access to the entire archive of lessons with more than 200 now online as well as the training blog archives. And you’ll be helping this great project continue to expand. Soon we’ll be adding content from our other programs including the full Introduction to Italian Rapier DVD, archery, mounted combat, stage combat, bartitsu, and our longsword and sidesword focus programs.

Help us grow this awesome repository by signing up here!

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My Swordfit Bootcamp Experience – Day 2

posterousauthor — Fri, 11 May 2012 01:54:35 +0000

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 a good experience it is.

We started with a warm-up of kicks, running and -ahem- burpees. I “ahem” the burpees because these are doled out to everyone as penalty for being late: 2 for each minute after 7am. You don’t see me in the picture because I sneakily made my way to the bathroom at this time… but don’t worry, righteous readers! I didn’t get away with it. No, I was not that fortunate. As soon as I got back, Mane had me doing 20 of them on my own while the others got to do the fun stuff with swords. I hope I learned my lesson.

In the clip below, you can see our warm up in addition to sword drills. Yesterday’s theme being circles, there were lots of turns added between cuts- the one that Mane is demonstrating near the middle of the video is the “windmill”. Cadence of one, two, one two three. With cutting, it went:

One- step and fendente cut
Two- step and fendente cut other side
One, two, three- turn 360 degrees while making a sottano cut
Then repeat on the other side.

Our “circuit” section in the second video was a playful game of “roll the die”. Each of us took turns rolling, and each number corresponded with a certain exercise in the theme of circles- from spinning rope above our heads (you can see me in the front on this one), to doing flourishes with a staff, to circular cuts with our longsword, to… drumroll, please… rolling on the ground!

This has been fun, my friends. I hope you enjoyed.

Arte, Ardore, Onore,

Sophia

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[Photo] Working the front desk at Academie Duello

posterousauthor — Fri, 11 May 2012 00:52:32 +0000

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Check out Academie Duello’s Ultimate Knight!

posterousauthor — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:53:38 +0000

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, and more. You can check out the full package on our website here.

Sterling has already been filling up many of his private lesson hours with our head archery instructor Patricia working his apprenticeship in our archery program.

Sterling put together tried the armour on for the first time on Friday and then transported it home in the most knightly fashion possible.

We look forward to seeing much of Sterling over the next year and into the future.

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