Academie Duello, Vancouver BC
| Contact Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone | (604) 568-9907 | |
| info@academieduello.com | ||
| Website | www.learnswordplay.com | |
| Address | 412 W. Hastings St. Vancouver, BC | |
Contents
About Academie Duello
Academie Duello is a school of European Martial Arts based in Vancouver, BC. Duello teaches an Italian system of martial combat that includes unarmed, knife, rapier, sidesword, longsword, and pole weapons. Founded in 2004 by Devon Boorman and Randy Packer and now directed by Devon Boorman, the Academie has grown to be one of the largest schools of Western Martial arts in North America, with over 100 active members.
Location
Academie Duello is located at 412 West Hastings St. (Google Map), between Richards St. and Homer St., in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Philosophy
Academie Duello is a school that teaches fencing as a martial art, but also honor and Renaissance values as a way of life. The Duello teaching philosophy is summed up in its "Two Tenets":
- Proper arms: "Your first teacher is the weapon in your hands." While some may be inclined to forgo the realism of the weapons used at Academie Duello in favor of lighter or smaller weapons such as the foil or epee, that approach would lead to students learning techniques that are only appropriate for the foil or the epee. To master fencing as it was practiced in the Renaissance, one must train with the tools used at that time.
- Proper respect means many things. First and foremost, it means respect for your fellow scholars. It also means respect for the sword as though it were live steel. Training with blunted weapons, we have the luxury of ignoring touches that we presume wouldn't have harmed us. We aren't taught to the fear the point -- but the premise of defense with a sword is that it is indeed a thing to be feared. Proper respect means remembering that the sword is a lethal thing, and respecting it as such.
Directors & Instructors
Devon Boorman, Maestro d'Armi
Devon Boorman has been playing with swords since he was a small child. His formal education in swordplay began with the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), an organization devoted to the study and recreation of medieval and renaissance arts. Through the SCA, Devon had the fortune of meeting and training with Braun McAsh, Swordmaster from Highlander: The Series and a long-time practitioner of Western Martial Arts. Over the last ten years Devon has studied with North America's premier scholars of European martial arts, including Tomasso Leoni, Bob Charon, and Bill Willson. Devon also has the distinction of being a member of the Order of the White Scarf, the highest distinction awarded by the SCA for Renaissance swordplay.
A highly accomplished martial artist, Devon has won more than 30 European martial arts competitions, and worked on both stage and screen as a stunt person and choreographer. Devon recently trained actors on the television series Smallville and served as a historical combat consultant for the Discovery Channel.
Devon is an outstanding sword fighting coach and has been internationally recognized for his instruction and competitive ability.
Curriculum
Academie Duello focuses on the study of following weapons:
- Rapier (Italian schools, primarily Capo Ferro);
- Longsword (Italian, primarily Fiore) and the prerequisite knife and grappling arts;
- Sidesword (the Dardi school)
Additionally, classes are occasionally taught in quarterstaff, sabre, pike, knife, and smallsword.
Levels
Academie Duello's curriculum is broken down into 5 levels denoted by a colored cord that is worn on the sword or arm of the student:
- Green Cord - Basic understanding of swordplay principals and fundamental techniques.
- Blue Cord - Proficiency with fundamentals of rapier, knowledge of wrestling techniques.
- Red Cord - High level of proficiency with rapier, understanding of sidesword fundamentals and wrestling techniques.
- Silver Cord - Proficiency with sidesword, wrestling, understanding of pole weapons.
- Gold Cord - Master of Rapier and elective weapon, proficiency with all others.
In the Media
Select Television Appearances
Breakfast Television - May 2008
CTV News - January 2008
For more television and media appearances, visit the Academie Duello media page...
