Valour Historical European Martial Arts Academy

09/07/2026

Finally have some time to post pictures from last Wednesday's record breaking open house. In total we had more than 70 people out. I'm also happy to report that every program line for the beginners program is at (or almost slightly beyond) capacity with maybe 1-3 spots open in beginner rapier class.

This semester I believe Valour will be over 50 students taking class in our 10-week semester and I hope every single student is able to stick through it to the end and find the joy in the pursuit of martial excellence and contributes to our healthy and vibrant community. Whether you Valour HEMA Academy is your first martial art or your 10th we're happy to have you and our only requirement is your commitment to being a healthy part of our rapidly expanding fencing salle.

08/25/2026

The Free Sword Class has 2 rapier spots left.

Current paid sign-ups for Fall Semester beginner classes:
Rapier: 10/15
Longsword: 4/10
Smallsword & Sabre: 5/10

First paid, first registered at this point.

Email: [email protected] to get started.

More info at:

Winnipeg's first and largest Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) school

08/22/2026

Members of Valour HEMA Academy attended the Riverview Ashland Childcare Centre today to put on a demonstration of Historical European Martial Arts as a cap off to their week working on medieval history. The kids had a chance to handle our sword simulators and see what real buhurt armour feels like. The kids then watched a demonstration of longsword, rapier, smallsword, and sidesword.

We spoke about being an honourable fighter and that we are safe and do not want to injure our friends while having fun competing for the most hits.

We were very happy to introduce the children to the world of Western Martial Arts and hope that when the kids are a little bit older and stronger they'll take up arms with us.

Thank you so much to their Assistant Director Sue Pridham for inviting us out. It's a joy to be able to share history, culture, and martial discipline with your wards.

Wish we could share pictures, but of course for the protection and privacy of the children pictures of the event will only be shared with parents.

Left to right: Provost Chad McFarland, Journeyman Adrian Jones, Scholar Rene Perron, Scholar Stephanie Schau, Scholar Reese Freedman, Free Scholar Trevor Ermet, Free Scholar Rosemary Steiner.

07/20/2026

I've been sitting on this antique trophy with a real heavy silver cup with the dream of making it into the Valour Cup with it being won under the most brutal fencing tournament rules possible. Thus the Grim Reaper's tournament as the very last Sunday tournament at the Tournament of Valour - Cook's Creek Medieval Festival.

The most dangerous and lethal pine box tournament possible. Each hit you lose a limb or are killed outright. No points. No second chances. Every mistake is punished and failure to defend yourself is lethal. It's as far as I'm concerned, the closest to martially valid as HEMA can get and the opposite of the sportification of the martial art.

It's pretty much the system I grew up under in HEMA that became unpopular over time in favour of making the game of dueling into Olympic fencing with worse and slower weapons.

So the Valour Cup ties the beginnings of HEMA to the modern day and beyond. :)

With a little elbow grease, some amazing craftsmanship in the custom copper chase and repouse plaque, and antique trophy finds new life in a martial art that is new and at the same time antique. The symmetry warms my heart.

Find out who will be the first to lift the Valour Cup this Sunday, July 26 at the Cooks Creek Medieval Festival!