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

For me the videos were incredibly useful. In my area there are no longer any sort of fencing clubs other than the occasional SCA group. The videos provide an incredibly useful resource that I find far more engaging than studying the various manuscripts on my own.

This an excellent deep dive into a practice of the longsword. Whether you’re new to swordsmanship, an experienced martial artist looking to pick up a new proficiency or just want to pursue a physical historical topic that can be acquired academically and athletically this MasterClass will serve you well. There is truly something for every level of interest in this course. The pacing is challenging and engaging at the same time, and with a flexible timeframe that encourages the practitioner to advance at a reasonable, self-driven pace. The masterclass teaches not only how to use this particular historical weapon, but how to create a path toward excellence that can be applied to any endeavor. These weeks have been time and money well spent!

I’m absolutely surprised by the amount of material that was covered, by how much I improved in 5 days, and by the amount of the information my brain retained. The intensive was very well thought out, professional, and quickly gave you a feeling of belonging. I would definitely recommend it to anyone at any skill level. Why? A full week of nothing but focus on swordplay.

Duello is more than a place that people come to study martial arts—it is a place where folks from all walks of life and all ages come to make themselves healthier in body and mind.

Gregory Mele

Head Instructor and Co-Founder, Chicago Swordplay Guild

Duello has had such a positive impact on my life, from the people I’ve met, to what I’ve learned about movement, to what it has taught me about weapons and fighting for my writing [career]. This school has been one of the highlights of my life.

Laura T.

Fantasy Author

The Instructor Intensive was an amazing experience. It gave me the opportunity to hone my skills and learn a new weapon, all the while teaching me both the ideas behind how we learn martial skills and how I can further my own training. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to not only learn the art, but learn how to make themselves better at the 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?