Academie Duello Instructors

Griffin Bates

Programs Taught: Warrior Fundamentals and coaching Swordfit
Weapons of Expertise: Longsword, Sidesword
Involved in WMA Since: 2009; Kickboxing, Judo and Kung Fu since 2002
Background: Teacher of Kung Fu (2002-2004), Gymnastics (2004-Present).  Actively involved in gymnastics since the age of 13.
Other Interests: Dance, Gymnastics, Running, Kung Fu, Kickboxing, Judo, Capoeira, Movement Arts such as Parkour, Free Running.

Clinton Fernandes

Programs Taught: Mastery, Swordfit (Technical Elements), Workshops, Private Bookings
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Longsword, Sidesword
Involved in WMA Since: November 2004
Background: One of the first students to join Academie Duello, now a member of the management team.  Gained most insights into fencing from watching his cat hunt.
Other Interests: Body Mechanics (specifically the relationship between technique and tempo), Translating Fencing Manuals, Fencing Principles and Mastery for Personal Development.

Erik Hayden

Programs Taught: Taste of the Renaissance, Mastery (Green Cords)
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Sidesword
Involved in WMA Since: December 2007
Background: Olympic Fencing, Aikido, Some Bartitsu
Other Interests: Participant in the Cascadia North Accolade Tournament (2010, 2011) and Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium.

Andre Kostur

Programs Taught: Taste of the Renaissance
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier
Involved in WMA Since: 2007.
Background: Some Ninjitsu and Aikido.
Other Interests: Software design and development.

Adam Lein

Programs Taught: Mastery, Warrior Fundamentals
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Longsword, Sidesword
Involved in WMA Since: 2005.
Background: Trained in Olympic fencing from 2003 to 2005.
Other Interests: Horsemanship and Mounted Combat, Napoleonic-Era Naval Warfare, History of Engineering, History of Astronomy.

Wilf Lim

Programs Taught: Youth Swordplay
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Sidesword, Quarterstaff
Involved in WMA Since: 2008.
Background: Coquitlam School-District Teacher
Other Interests: Archery, Southern Chinese Martial Arts, Teaching Children

Meghan O’Connell

Programs Taught: Swordfit
Weapons of Expertise: Unarmed Combat, Some Longsword
Involved in WMA Since: 2009.
Background: Personal Trainer and Boxing Coach, Professional Boxer (BC Champion, Canadian Bronze Medallist, 54 kg, 2004)
Other Interests: Muay Thai, Boxing

Greg Reimer

Programs Taught: Introductory Courses and Workshops, Weapons Mastery, Warrior Fitness
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Longsword, Sidesword, Quarterstaff, Grappling
Involved in WMA Since: July 2006
Background: Graphic Design for Print and Web
Other Interests: Bass Guitar in many styles, Sci-Fi, Computer Tinkering and Beer Making

Mané Rayne

Programs Taught: SwordFit Bootcamp
Weapons of Expertise: Unarmed Combat, Knife, Longsword, Sword & Shield, Pole Weapons.
Involved in WMA Since: 2010
Background: Judo (2 Bronze medals at Can. National Exhibition), Brazillian Jui, Jitsu, Boxing, Tai Chi, Chi Gong, Yoga, Pilates,  Integrated Fitness Trainer (1998-Present), Close Quarter Fighting in Military (98′-02′ Fintess/course Staff QL2/QL3′s) , Body Mechanics and sports conditioning (20 years in competitive sports)
Other Interests: Psychology, Integrating body awareness, training off the Land, Bodyweight fitness, Gladitorial arts, Spartan Training, Wilderness adventure and survival, Chi Running and Trail running, Stage Combat, Parkour, Gymnastics/Acrobatics,

Ivan Sim

Programs Taught: Taste of the Renaissance
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier
Involved in WMA Since: November 2008
Background: Full-time software developer.
Other Interests: Medieval and Renaissance History, Art and Music. The reason why he chose to get involved in WMA is because it is the place where art, passion, honour, history, science, identity and discipline meet.

Kimberleigh Smithbower-Roseblade

Programs Taught: Youth Swordplay
Weapons of Expertise: Longsword, Sidesword, Greatsword, Quarterstaff
Involved in WMA Since: 2000
Background: Dance- and circus-academy coach, CBI and PSW for children and adults with disabilities.  Has worked with children for more than half of her life.  Trained in Jeet Kune Do.
Other Interests: A modern-day bard in her band The Figures, she sings as well as plays the Irish tin flute and the harmonica.

Jimmy Tu

Programs Taught: Warrior Fundamentals
Weapons of Expertise: Longsword, Sidesword, Quarterstaff, Unarmed Combat
Involved in WMA Since: 2009
Background: Martial-arts practitioner since childhood.  Expert of Wushu Kung Fu, extensively trained as well in Taekwondo, American Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jujitsu and Muay Thai.
Other Interests: Video Games, Cars, Motorcycles

Greg Yoshida

Programs Taught: Taste of the Renaissance
Weapons of Expertise: Rapier, Longsword, Sidesword, Unarmed Comba
Involved in WMA Since: January 2009
Background: Aikido and Wrestling in high school.  Raised in a sword collector’s household.
Other Interests: Armouring (Leather and Chain Mail), Archery