Pretty people and prettier poniards provide present-day press provender. It’s apparent that there have been from times historical, sword players that not only insisted on having functional swords – but they also demanded a blade that won’t clash with their fashionable hosiery! My precious-s-s-s! YORKSHIRE EVENING POST (UK) 13 January 13 Weird warfare…
Category: Community
Don Juan, Tournaments, Sword Fighters, and Awesome Authours
It has been such a busy start to the year I've barely had time to write about cool stuff going on, let alone actually participate in it. I wanted to share some info on a few cool things that are coming up or in fact going on right now. Don Juan As you may have…
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Cutting Edge Stage Combat
The Paddy Crean Conference in Banff is a week of some of the greatest fight instructors and stunt people teaching an incredible group of enthusiasts. So every two years we get the newest innovations in stage combat and stunt work in one venue. And the food is fantastic. I want to share some of what…
Espada Sword Press
Slim Spaniards wielding slimmer swords make up this week’s slim pickings. A resolution by ‘judicial duel’ would have been … quicker … and probably more entertaining … to say nothing of satisfying (for the winner). PÚBLICO (Madrid, Spain) 04 January 13 Condenado el marqués de Falces por vender la Tizona, la espada del Cid …
Is VISS for beginners
Short answer: absolutely. A few of our newer students who feel a little anxious about registering for the 2013 Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium(VISS). There are several reasons for this feeling and I'll address some of them here. "It's kind of expensive" This applies to beginners and "veterans" alike. And, actually it's not. At a cost…
Friday's Rank Examination Results
This past Friday, Academie Duello hosted a small but vigorous rank examination for two of our members in the Mastery Program. About 25 fellow students came on the first Friday of the new year to help Gareth test for the rank of Blue Cord (our second rank of five) and Michael to test for the rank…
Adventures in flooring: Day 4
Day 4 was devoted to putting everything back on the floor. It looks beautiful, take a look: And again, but with stuff on it! And our lovely north-facing side And our mirrors with shields. Thanks on Day 4 go to John Manestar (In spirit, he was ill) Devon Boorman Matheus Olmedo Walker Lunsford Greg…
Adventures in flooring: Day 3
Day 3 was applying additional coats of the finishing compound. We aimed for as many as we could. Here's what the floor looked like after the first application. There are plenty of dry spots: this was a thirsty floor! Applying the final application. Quite a different look from the last photo! Watching "paint" dry. After…
Adventures in flooring: Day 2
Day two of the flooring was almost entirely sanding. We discovered on Day 1 some uneven sections of the floor where the finish wasn't removed. We needed this stuff gone so it was back to the drum sanders. First, here's the floor at the start of Day 2: To remove the finish without making things…
Adventures in flooring: Day 1
Over the holidays an intrepid group of volunteers took on the task of re-finishing our well-loved training floor. The floor was installed in late 2009 when we moved in (by another intrepid group of volunteers) so has lasted a good 3 years of almost daily use. With some sections being a little gouged and other…
Happy 2013!
Good Morning and Happy New Year! (sorry, was that too loud?) Since it is far too soon after last night's indulgences to be practising cutting in a safe and responsible manner, I'll eschew wrist, shoulder and elbow cuts for another week. Instead, sit back in a comfy chair with the hangover remedy of your…
Getting Out of the Salle Sword Press
We so-o-o envy our European peers! If their salles are closed for the holidays, they still have a multiple of choices as to where to go to maintain and expand their interests in things HEMA/WMA. You kids go (sword)play in the backyard! DAILY RECORD (Ellensburg, Washington) 28 December 12 Medieval swordplay group to offer…
Article in the Vancouver's Westender Newspaper
If you pickup this week's Westender Newspaper you'll see a great article by Gen Handley about Academie Duello. Gen checked out a class a few weeks ago and it looks like he had a great time. It's a good article and tells a little about the origins of Duello. You can also check it out…
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What we're doing at Duello right now
Wondering what we're up to over the holiday? This: Yup that's right we're wrapping Academie Duello in celophane. This is part of a project to refinish the hardwood on our main training floor. Thank you to everyone who has helped contribute to this project financially at our Christmas fundraiser and by lending a hand. We'll…
I'm still dreaming of a white Christmas
Well, I can dream, can't I? card and image (c) K Landels 2012 Happy Yuletide, and may all your dreams come true!
Marginally Yuletide Sword Press
In chivalric theory, the 12 days surrounding Christmas are times of peace and good-will to all …. the 1460 Battle of Wakefield notwithstanding. But who among us would begrudge another the chance to engage in a friendly passage-at-arms with cold steel with friends under the stars and in the snow* this Christmas eve? And besides,…
Awesome Workshops at the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium
VISS 2013 is approaching, and we’re excited to announce a first look at our workshop lineup! We are proud to offer two styles of workshops at VISS. The first style offers a more in-depth look into various topics, with work that will build across three days of classes. Topics for this style of workshop include:…
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Trifecta Sword Press
Three ‘historical’ swords from three different countries. Respect for, interest in and, at times, adoration of the sword as a cultural or historical symbol is not restricted to any one country or group. One of the real pleasures that We’ve enjoyed over the past couple of years is the chance to discuss (by phone, Scype…