Team building doesn’t have to mean pricey retreats. The best results come from shared challenges and memorable fun—without breaking the bank. At Academie Duello in downtown Vancouver, we deliver unique, affordable activities that blend skill-building with epic adventure. Why Invest in Team Building (Even on a Tight Budget) Boost communication across teams Strengthen trust &…
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Let’s face it, modern and routine life can get overwhelming. Whether it’s back-to-back meetings, tight deadlines, or the usual chaos of juggling work and life, we all need a way to let off steam. While some people unwind with a walk in the park or a yoga class, others are discovering a much more thrilling…
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This past week we launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to help support Academie Duello through this difficult time. Since Friday we have raised over $20,000 of our $75,000 goal! Our centre is one of only a few institutions of its kind in the world that are seeking to revive the martial arts of Europe…
The Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium is taking place March 6th to 8th, 2020 and this year's theme is our most exciting yet: East Meets West! We're bringing together the martial arts traditions of countries from across the globe in the spirit of collaboration and learning. This year we have 10 intensives in 5 paired tracks…
Last week I was an instructor and director (referee) at the South East Renaissance Fencing Open (SERFO) in Atlanta, Georgia. This excellent event was put on by Keith Cotter-Reilly of the Atlanta Freifechters and David Coblentz of Decatur School of Arms and their respective crews. This is definitely one of the smoother and more professionally…
This past weekend was the 20th Anniversary of the Western Martial Arts Workshop hosted by the Chicago Swordplay Guild at the lovely Dekoven Center on the shores of Lake Michigan. I have had the opportunity to be teaching at this event for the past 10 years and it is always one of my favorite events…
At the beginning of July I had the pleasure of once again being a Ring Director, Judge, and Instructor at Lord Baltimore's Challenge in Washington, DC. This event aims to be a meeting of Historical European Martial Arts practitioners from HEMA clubs and from historical re-enactment backgrounds (primarily the Society for Creative Anachronism). The focus…
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A week ago I had the distinct pleasure to be part of Winnipeg's first international tournament and workshop event, enjoyably titled: It's Only A Flesh Wound! This event was hosted by Valour Historical European Martial Arts Academy headed by Chad McFarland with support from Winnipeg's two other HEMA groups, Winnipeg Broadsword (Jay Maas) and Winnipeg…
Well it's been nearly a month since the Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS) took place at the Richmond Oval and I'm finally free to write a bit about what happened and how it went! This was our fifth bi-annual event and each time it comes around it provides new adventures and opportunities for both its…
Three members of the Academie Duello crew and I visited the February 8-10 Capitol Clash in Washington, DC. This is a well run HEMA tournament event that runs alongside a huge modern fencing tournament all hosted by the Virginia Academy of Fencing (VAF). I had the pleasure of being part of the reffing staff, a…
Registration for the fifth Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium (VISS) is now open! The event, which takes place from April 5th to 7th, is a conference focused around intensive three-day programs with an aim to help people along the path of mastery in the many disciplines of Historical European Martial Arts. This year the theme is This…
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I had the pleasure this past weekend of being a judge, ring director, and instructor at Lord Baltimore's Challenge in Washington, DC, an event put on by David Biggs and a large crew of people from diverse groups such as Maryland KDF, Virginia Academy of Fencing, and the DC-area SCA chapters. David's goals with the…
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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This past weekend, I had the special honour of seeing one of my senior students, Matheus Olmedo, elevated to the rank of Provost (the fourth level, just before Master). I wrote about what was involved in this gruelling two-day ordeal in last week's post. It was a superb thing to be a part of, along…
Duelling with Cause returns on Friday, June 8th 2018! House Stark stood upon the stage of last year's event victorious. Now they challenge the fighters and supporters of the great opposing houses to return to Academie Duello to fight for honour, fun, and charity! Join Academie Duello and Mission-Possible for one of this year's most…
Happy New Year everyone from all of us at Academie Duello! Thanks for being part of our community and helping us provide a place where people can push out of their comfort zones, do fun and exciting things, find confidence and strength, become fitter and healthier, and meet great new friends and supporters. We have…
It’s only Christmas Day and we’re already missing swordplay! We hope you’re having a wonderful time with your families in whatever holiday traditions you celebrate. It’s been a special year at Academie Duello from our fourth (and largest!) Vancouver International Swordplay Symposium in the Spring to our fourth Carosella Mounted Combat symposium in the Fall!…
Greg Reimer is an Academie Duello Provost (our most senior student level) and the Director of Sword Fight Canada in Valemount, BC as well as my partner in crime for our online video mastery program Duello.TV. He just got home a few days ago from an epic cross Canada trip where he visited many clubs,…