Excited about Historical European Martial Arts?
We’ll make you an expert!

Watch Now: The Pursuit of Mastery

Who We Are

Devon Boorman

Devon Boorman Devon is a world renowned international instructor and competitor of Historical European Martial Arts. He has been practicing and teaching martial arts for more than 30 years. He is the author of one book and two DVDs on Italian Rapier and Longsword; and he is the Director and Master Instructor of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay in Vancouver, BC, the largest centre for the practice of European Martial Arts in the world.

Greg Reimer

Greg Reimer has been studying Italian martial arts since 2006, and has taught over 5,500 hours to students in unarmed, dagger, rapier (and secondaries), sidesword & buckler, longsword, pole weapons and mounted combat. He has travelled across Western Canada and into Washington State to meet, teach and enjoy sparring with other sword fighters.

TEDxEastVan: Swordplay and the Lost Art of Knighthood

Academie Duello

Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay is the largest centre for the practice of European Martial Arts in the world.

Over the past 15 years more than 10,000 students have taken courses at Academie Duello and many of those students have gone on to form satellite schools and study groups in cities all over the world.
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Academie Duello has one of the most complete and expertly constructed swordplay curriculums in the world providing a proven program that takes students from beginners to masters.

Testimonials

When I heard about HEMA, I really wanted to get into it but didn’t know where to start. There are no schools/clubs anywhere near me, and I don’t speak Italian or German, so unless there’s a manuscript in English or Spanish I couldn’t go to the original sources. And there are tons of resources online, but you can tell they’re written by (and for) people who already know what they’re talking about. But then I found Duello, and I’ve been loving it! I’m currently going through one of their “sidesword” courses (which btw includes sword & buckler) and it has been awesome! I still have a lot to learn, but now I have a great way to learning it well. I’m hooked!

Under the enthusiastic stewardship of Devon Boorman, Duello has managed to set the standard–worldwide–for how a historical martial arts school should be run. It has managed to make historical martial arts accessible today without a shred of compromise in their devotion to the words of the ancient masters.

Tom Leoni

At 54 I thought I might have trouble completing and was pleasantly surprised to find my edge. The experienced instructor was able to help me keep going and complete this incredible course. This is by far the best experience I have had with many years of Rapier and plan to continue training so I may inspire more women to partake in their dream to fight with a sword.

It’s a rare privilege to study under an instructor with not only an extensive knowledge of the subject matter but also how to effectively teach it. I am grateful to have had the opportunity for such a valuable and inspirational experience.

This course covers a LOT of material, and makes you realise there’s so much farther to go on the path toward mastery; but the beauty is that you can see the structure of the system, and the instructional tools are things you can take away in order to teach yourself and others.

As a lifelong martial artist with 50 years of dedicated training, I recommend Devon Boorman and Academie Duello, and I do so strongly. Students are privileged to have access to such a great school. If you have the fire to learn, don’t wait to begin.

Grand Master Mark Mikita

Mikita School of Martial Art

For the Beginner

We offer progressive, structured, step-by-step instruction in the graceful rapier, powerful longsword, knife, grappling, poleweapons, and more.

Longsword: cutting down from the right

Rapier: learn the mechanics of a lunge

Sidesword: marking parries against cuts

Learn more about the weapons and disciplines of HEMA

Get started on your journey with our FREE Longsword or Rapier quick-start courses

Longsword Quick Start

Greg Reimer

11 Topics 18 Minutes of Video

Rapier Quick Start

Greg Reimer

Get startedStart on the path to mastery with our Longsword and Rapier Fundamentals courses. Purchase a monthly Subscription or lifetime-access Course Pack

For the Expert

We'll help you become a practitioner who can put theory into practice and practice into theory.

From Beginner to Master. Wherever you are in your journey, we'll help you develop an enviable level of expertise and ability through rigorous programs that help you develop your dominance while giving you a rich and explicit understanding of the art.

Our Focus is Martial Art. Combative dominance comes through complete martial understanding. We'll teach you how to move and fight effectively, create training plans, build physical ability, and tactically own your opponents.

Advanced Longsword: countering high guards (9:01)

Advanced Sidesword: feint provocations (8:21)

Advanced Rapier: using forte guards (13:14)

You'll learn not just how to master one discipline but how to master a complete martial art that includes two-handed and single handed swords, polearms, grappling, dagger, knife, and armoured combat.

Course Progression from Apprentice to Master

Weapons: Rapier or Longsword. Principles: foundational vocabulary and techniques. This material will pave the way for long-term study and set you on the path to Mastery.

Weapons: Rapier and Unarmed -OR- Longsword and Unarmed. Principles: Familiar with body mechanics, distance, and control. Achievement: the Apprentice level comes with the completion of the test at the end of one of our two primary beginner programs.

Weapons: Rapier, Rapier and Dagger, Sidesword, and Unarmed -OR- Longsword and Half-swording, Sidesword, and Unarmed. Principles: Angle, line, cutting mechanics, timing and proportion. Achievement: students progress from Apprentice to Scholar in 9-24 months of training.

Longsword Level 3
Quadrant Defenses vs Fendente
Quadrant Defenses vs Mezzano, Sottano and Thrust
Primary Guards
Secondary Guards
Gioco Stretto & Grapples
Rapier Level 3
Striking Tempos
Unorthodox Postures
Buckler and Cloak
Two Swords and Baton
Disarms and Dagger Strikes
Sidesword Level 2
Assalti
Provocations
Low Line Guards, Progression
High Line Guards
Polearms Level 1
Poleaxe Fundamentals
Quarterstaff Fundamentals
Unarmed Level 3
Wrestling in the Grips
Dagger Level 1
Dagger Masters 1-3
Dagger Masters 4-6
Dagger Masters 7-9

Weapons: Rapier and Secondaries, Sidesword and Secondaries, Longsword, Polearms, Dagger, and Unarmed. Principles: Timing, tempo, power generation, strategy, and tactics. Achievement: average, students progress from Scholar to Free Scholar in 1.5-3 years of training.

Martial Prowess Trial
Historical Research Trial
Community Contribution Trial

Weapons: Rapier, Rapier Secondaries, Sidesword, Longsword, Polearms, Dagger, and Unarmed. Principles: Centres and tempo. Provosts are expected to be highly proficient in the system of arms, able to diversely apply its principles, and be able to challenge its implementation to build and grow the art. Achievement: under the guidance of the Supervising Master, a Provost completes a series of trials in the areas of research, teaching, and martial prowess to achieve their Master level.

Continue Your Journey of Excellence

Masterful in the application of the system of arms. Able to proficiently apply their skills across all disciplines armed and unarmed. Able to pass the art on to others at a high level and to innovate and grow its practice at Academie Duello and for the Italian Martial Arts community as a whole.

Values and the Mastery Program

Watch Now: Our Arts & Values

Watch Now: What is Mastery?