Main fundraiser photo

Help Keep Swordplay Alive

Support Our Campaign and Join Us for a Beginner or Intermediate Class on Zoom!
(Learn more about our story and campaign below)

Class Schedule & Links
(Update August 21st)

Follow the link below to access the registration page for the class you're interested in. You need to register for each session in advance to gain access.

All you need for a swordplay class is a short or long stick, umbrella, or other sword like object. They're for everyone, so please come and join us!

Friday 6pm PDT - Beginner Swordplay for Adults
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82165999858

Saturday 4pm PDT - Beginner Swordplay (Youth & Supporting Parents Only)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83488236423

Classes for People with Martial Arts Experience
https://www.academieduello.com/courses/at-home-learning/#existing

Classes are donation based, give what you can, if you can. Suggested donation is $10 per class.

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Our Story

COVID has shut the door on one of the world's largest centres for swordplay. Academie Duello is one of a few places in the world keeping the martial arts of western Europe alive. Classes at our Vancouver studio and Langley equestrian facility are shut down during the pandemic, but we still need to pay prime location rent, and the salaries that in most cases are the only source of income for our dedicated staff and expert instructors. We have already incurred significant debt and fear that if the crisis goes on for too long we will not survive. Even when a partial reopening comes into effect we anticipate severely limited services and income until things return to normal. That’s why we ask you to consider donating to our fundraiser, and if you’re curious, taking an adult or youth swordplay class. Our new live online offerings are by donation and all funds will go toward our teachers, rent, and administrative expenses. 

What We Do

Academie Duello, based in Vancouver Canada, is a school of Historical European Martial Arts that specializes primarily in the Italian school of swordplay. Programs span multiple disciplines including the arts of the rapier, sidesword, longsword, pole arms, wrestling, axe throwing, archery, and mounted combat.

Throughout our 15 years of operation we have earned a reputation as one of the best facilities of our kind in the world with thousands of people taking our courses. Academie Duello is not just a school but also a community of like-minded and passionate people, preserving and reviving these arts for current and future generations.

Our Community

Academie Duello’s community consists of teachers, students, scholars, and history enthusiasts of all kinds, genders, ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Our adult members, from fourteen to eighty years old, all share a deep passion for our art.  Within the school they pursue mastery, and develop physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Children’s Knight Camp

Youth programs and our award-winning summer camp are central to our school.  Knight Camp, for kids aged 8 to 14 is considered one of the best adventure camps in Canada with thousands of graduates and hundreds of children attending it every year throughout its twelve-year history. 

Students at Knight Camp learn about history, leadership, heraldry, archery, medieval games and perhaps most importantly, knightly virtues such as justice, mercy, charity, nobility, integrity, and courage. Students are encouraged to practice these virtues with the fellow campers and in their communities. As students progress through the ranks they must complete knightly challenges including community service, teaching, speaking, and leadership. 

Originally run by regular Academie Duello instructors, it is now staffed in large part by Knight Camp graduates that teach younger children to make a positive impact in their communities and live according to Knightly Virtues that nowadays seem more relevant than ever. 


How You Can Help

We estimate that we need to raise $75,000 to cover staff expenses, operating costs, and our rent expenses during the closure and Vancouver’s staged reopening. We anticipate not being able to return to full attendance or services until widespread testing and vaccination are available.  Every donation, no matter how small, will help ensure our survival.  Funds raised will support our programs, our community, and our dedicated staff and instructors who rely on the school for their livelihood.

** Please note that the GoFundMe platform has been very delayed in processing donations. Don't be surprised if your donation does not show up for as much as 24 hours. **


Take an Online Class

Experience swordplay from the comfort of your home! We are conducting swordplay lessons nearly everyday for both adults and youth in which you’ll learn the basics of our arts from some of the best swordplay experts in the world. 

Classes are open to anyone, anywhere. 

Classes are donation based, give what you can, if you can. Suggested donation is $10 per class.

The classes are delivered through the online platform, Zoom, which is accessible from your phone, tablet or computer. *Download the free app for easy access. 

Once you have contributed  to our campaign, simply register for a class by following the appropriate link in the schedule at the top of this page. Please register in advance. Each session requires its own registration.

 
Thank You

We have a lot to lose if we aren’t able to keep the school going after the crisis. When you take our online classes or contribute to our campaign, you not only get to try out the arts of the musketeer and knight for yourself, you get to help keep their traditions alive.

Thank you for your support

Arte! Ardore! Onore!



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Donations 

  • Jessie Jolley
    • $50 
    • 3 yrs
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Fundraising team: Academie Duello (2)

Devon Boorman
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
Benjamin Davis
Team member

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