Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay

«Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya.
You killed my father.
Prepare to die.»
Only the best line from the best movie ever made!
And right here in downtown Vancouver, you too can partake in swordplay with actual swords! How much fun is that?!
My wife got me the Taste of the Renaissance package for my birthday and it was so much fun. Heck of a workout too!
Rapier, side sword and long sword; it’s like being a child again and fighting with sticks.
They focus on Western martial arts and offer quite a few classes, plus you can buy swords and gear there too.

I took a basic introduction course here after seeing their booth at the Circle Craft fair. It was a good introduction course with an instructor who was patient. It is a good arm workout and a lot harder than one may assume. The full time courses are very reasonably priced and the instruction was very clear and easy to follow.

Highly recommend this place. Doing the Warrior fundamentals and the instructors are great and the venue is awesome. If you are interested in trying something a bit out of the norm they are a great way to go!!!

Really cool place. I came in as a tourist wandering around the neighborhood and the staff made me feel right at home. They explained the uses of the different arms and armor and display and I got to ask lots of silly questions while handling daggers and gauntlets. To the side, in the practice area, people were fighting with swords, and I thought that was just great. The museum area in the back is also cute and informative. (Also, I was impressed by how not-​smelly the venue was even though there seemed to be plenty of people working out.) Good job, Duello.

This review is only for salsa dancing on Saturdays (I have not participated in any sword play whatsoever).
The venue is ok, but the turnout is what makes this place fun. The venue is not so large and the floor is split into two areas separated by a step which can make for an inconvenience but I did not see too many people trip. The venue gets hot but at least there are two doors open out front which let in some cool air come in and there are a couple fans located throughout the space which helps a bit.
As for the crowds, it usually starts out male heavy but after the lessons are over, more women show up to balance out the crowds. Experience ranges from beginner to advanced but with good representation from all levels so you should have quite a few people to dance with at your level.
It’s a fun, social place with friendly crowds so it’s definitely worth checking out if you are looking to get a salsa fix in Vancouver.

More than JUST a good play for Swordplay; Duello rents out it’s space on Friday and Saturday nights for various elegant dance events including bi-​weekly Salsa. Amazing hardwood floors, beautiful décor and Roger Chen puts on amazing music.
This venue will capture your heart and make you feel like you’ve «escaped the city».

Academie Duello is THEE place to go for Western Martial Arts enthusiasts in the Lower Mainland. There are SO many options depending on your interests:
— rapier (think Three Musketeers)
— quarterstaff
— longsword
— sidesword & buckler (swashbuckler anyone?)
— archery
— mounted combat (they have a barn in Richmond)
— grappling /​unarmed combat
— umbrella self defense
— bartitsu (cane fighting like Sherlock Holmes)
— Knight Camp for kids
— sword fit (if you want a reeeally good workout)
There are intro classes, private lessons, group lessons, special classes, monthly events, and with a lifetime membership you have access to the Salle whenever it’s free and on Friday evenings for Fight Night!
I’ve only been a member for less than a year but I am so enthralled with everything I’ve learned and the passion of this community. The people I’ve met at Duello are truly and family and a tight-​knit community. Such a great, accepting, geeky, nerdy, fun space. Your interests may vary –sci-​fi, history, gaming, LARPing, comix, WMA, medieval era anything, and fantasy, to name a few – but you’ll fit in here just fine. Trust me.