2023 in Review

Happy New Year from Academie Duello! With 2024 upon us I thought it would be nice to reflect on this past year at Academie Duello both in Vancouver and abroad, and the many special things that have happened in our school and community. This has truly been a year of camaraderie and community and I…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Happy New Year 2020

Greetings Academie Duello friends and family! I hope that you have all had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to a special 2020. It is pretty amazing to me to be moving into the second decade of the new millennium already. Academie Duello marked its 15th anniversary in 2019 and it has been…

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Mounted Combat Program: November News

There is plenty happening at the barn this month, and all of it safely out of the November weather, thanks to our beautiful indoor arena!  If you haven't been to Cornwall Ridge Farm yet, now is a great time to check it out. Mounted Combat Mastery   Mastery classes happen this month on the 11th…

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The Mounted Combat Program Moves to Langley

Exciting changes are a-hoof in the Mounted Combat Program.  As of August 1st, 2018, the horses and the program will be moving to 21955 16 Ave in Langley.  This beautiful property (formerly Ridge Meadows Farm) near Campbell Valley Park has an indoor arena, heated lounge, two outdoor arenas, and ten acres of pasture for our…

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Event Report: Vancouver Martial Challenge 2018

On the weekend of June 1st, 2018, Academie Duello hosted our third annual Vancouver Martial Challenge. This is a weekend focused on the joy of sparring in a relaxed and collaborative environment. Each day all of the participants endeavour to spar with one another (in a diversity of disciplines) and at the end of each day…

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Mounted Combat Arts Intensive: Pilot Program Registration Open

Mounted Combat Arts Intensive New for 2018, we are planning to offer a full five-day Mounted Combat Arts  Intensive from July 2nd to 6th.  This 50-hour program offers you the chance to immerse yourself in a full week of mounted combat arts both in and out of the saddle.  Throughout the week you will learn the…

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Festive Easter Sword Press News for March 2018

“The duel took place on Easter Eve, and Herr von Kotze was slightly wounded and taken to hospital. The next morning he received the congratulations of the Kaiser and an Easter egg, …”[1] Ah yes, Easter Bunnies with blades Hares and HEMA Rabbits …. well, you get the idea! Sting like a Hummingbird … a…

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Book Review: “Irish Swordsmanship” by Miller

The Masters of Fence? Who came to your mind first? Ridolfo Capo Ferro of Italy? Hieronimo de Caranza of Spain? Joseph Swetnam of England? Richard Sheridan of Ireland? Wait a minute … Who? From Where? A Broad Overview If the latter country, let alone the personality, does not resonate with a vision of civilised small…

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Youthful Sword Press News for February 2018

“A characteristic of adolescent games is that they are preparation for adult games and sport. Organized tournaments, for instance, were for adults, but adolescent males began to train for ritualized or real fighting. The city fathers were against such training, because … it would simply lead to a disruption of civic order if urban youth…

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Revisiting the Harms of Unsolicited Help

Recently, many female identified practitioners in my life have been bravely and gracefully sharing with me their challenges in being students in martial arts. One of the main things that comes up time and time again is how difficult it is to be a student when their, typically male, partners seem eager to constantly offer…

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