OWNER/OPERATOR 

On or off the piste, Maestro Christian 'Xian' Niles has had a lifelong love for martial arts. Starting with Shotokan Karate at a very young age, he progressed to MMA, Kickboxing, Judo, No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. A former international Epee fencer, Xian’s fencing career and experience span over 20 years. He has represented his home country of Barbados as a two-time Pan-American Championship athlete and a Pan-American Cup competitor. Xian’s historical fencing journey started in 2013 when he first encountered the discipline through performing stage combat. He has achieved multiple-time medal recognition while fencing competitively in Olympic Fencing in Nova Scotia. He has also achieved multiple-time medal recognition in Historical fencing competitions across Canada. 

Teaching Experience:

• Master-At-Arms(Maestro) Level III US ACLI.

• Oak Rank Coach Storica Defensa. 

• Cateran in the Cateran Society.

• Level 1 Longsword and Rapier Instructor Academie Duello.

• Founder and Former leader of SPADA.

• Facilitator, Dalhousie Historical European Martial Arts Society.

 INSTRUCTOR 

Coach Mitchell is a seasoned historical fencer with more than 10 years of experience. He focuses on longsword, both competing and coaching, and also teaches Broadsword and Rapier. Mitchell has competed across Canada and won medals in Historical fencing events. 

Since he started fencing, he has trained under Master-at-Arms Xian Niles and earned his Fist coaching rank through Storica Defensa. Coach Mitchell believes anyone can fence if they’re willing to work hard. With over 7 years as a secondary school teacher and 5 years as an athletics coach, he knows how to adapt his lessons to fit all students, no matter their fitness or skill level. 

Teaching Experience:

• Fist Rank Coach Storica Defensa.