Academieduello

Academie Duello is a Centre for Swordplay teaching authentic Western martial arts rooted in Medieval and Early Modern European combat manuals. Located at 412 West Hastings Street in downtown Vancouver, they've been running for over 20 years and operate a 7,500 sq ft studio purpose-built for martial training.

Academie Duello offers structured courses and drop-in adventures across multiple weapon systems:

Formal Programs (8-class beginner courses): - Rapier - Renaissance duelling weapon with footwork and blade technique - Longsword - Two-handed medieval sword with sword-and-shield variants - Archery - Modern recurve bow fundamentals, history, range safety, and technique - Polearms, wrestling, and mounted combat (at partner facility Cornwall Ridge Equestrian in Langley)

How They Work: - Free trial classes available for swordplay and archery - 8-class beginner programs teach fundamentals in a fun, welcoming format - Ongoing weekly schedule plus intensive workshops - All levels and ages welcome—no prior experience needed

Not ready for an 8-week course? They offer 1-2 hour drop-in adventures:

They specialize in custom team events:

Format Options: - Small teams (5–20): Book instantly online with same-day confirmation - Large groups (20–150+): Custom quotes, flexible scheduling, rotating stations - Full-day Medieval Festival (up to 120 people, 3-4 hours): Activities stations, hands-on museum, performances

Add-Ons Available: - Medieval Battle (foam sword combat) - Rapier Candle Snuffing (precision target work) - Hammerschlagen (nail-driving competition) - Giant Jenga, darts, archery, axe throwing - Knight Performance with live armor demonstrations - On-site catering and alcohol service

Why Teams Book Here: - Expert, safety-first coaches; fully insured - All equipment included - Beautiful downtown venue or mobile services across Greater Vancouver - Flexible formats from high-intensity competition to collaborative exploration - Can accommodate 5 to 150+ people

• •Knight Camp: 5-day swordplay adventure camp focusing on confidence, movement, history, and fun
• •Youth Mastery Classes: Monthly courses in archery and swordplay
• •Youth Adventures: Swordplay and archery parties for birthdays and celebrations

Academie Duello's curriculum is based on primary-source combat manuals from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Their three-word motto reflects their values:

• •Arte - Dedication to martial arts as art form; honing skills and studying primary sources
• •Ardore - Passion for the martial arts they practice and share
• •Onore - Respect for themselves, each other, weapons, and the martial systems themselves

Every class begins with the school salute—a moment of respect and focus.

Cafe Duello serves smoothies, pastries, espresso drinks, and lunch fare. They also sell gift certificates (a perfect way to introduce friends to swordplay or archery), instructional books on Italian Rapier, and DVDs on longsword technique.

"We've been providing awesome experiences for teams of all sizes for more than 20 years."