Discussion
In the wake of a friend of a friend talking about it and I suppose the Olympic afterglow, this weekend saw me at a "come and have a go at archery" day Here. Really rather enjoyed it and am now seriously considering doing a course with a view to taking it up as a hobby, so wondered if anyone here dabbled?
Likewise, having been inspired by the Olympics (still missing it) I'm trying to get signed up to my local club's beginners course but that won't be until November.
I used to belong to a club as a nipper back in the late 80s. I did enjoy it but became disillusioned with the absence of coaching and gave it up in favour of rifle shooting.
It's a sport that really appeals to me, one that does reward you depending on how much you put in to it; I'm definitely looking forward to giving it another go.
Local clubs do seem to have been taken by surprise as to how many people are now wanting to try it post-Olympics. With GNAS requiring completion of a beginners course before joining a club, and clubs offering only a few such courses with limited places each year there's going to be a lot of disappointed people.
I used to belong to a club as a nipper back in the late 80s. I did enjoy it but became disillusioned with the absence of coaching and gave it up in favour of rifle shooting.
It's a sport that really appeals to me, one that does reward you depending on how much you put in to it; I'm definitely looking forward to giving it another go.
Local clubs do seem to have been taken by surprise as to how many people are now wanting to try it post-Olympics. With GNAS requiring completion of a beginners course before joining a club, and clubs offering only a few such courses with limited places each year there's going to be a lot of disappointed people.
Only just seen this thread.
I used to shoot to competition standards many many years ago.
Watching the Olympic target shooting reminded me how good it was, so I looked at getting involved again.
Because I had been a GNAS member previously, one of my local clubs agreed to assess me, and then decide whether a full refresher or beginner course was necessary. Those courses are also not available until May 2013!
The assessment went very well, and I have been invited to join the club... £90 per year outright. No costs per shoot. To me, that is a bargain, as the club shoot three times a week... Two evenings and Sunday afternoons. When the nights draw in, the evening shoots switch to an indoor venue.
Many years ago, I found the sport hugely enjoyable, and very rewarding. Based on my limited experience since restarting, I feel that none of that has changed.
If there is a downside to archery, it is the cost of kit. As has been stated, you can get pretty good kit for reasonable money when starting out, but once you decide to go to 'the next level' you can start looking at some eye watering costs!
I used to shoot to competition standards many many years ago.
Watching the Olympic target shooting reminded me how good it was, so I looked at getting involved again.
Because I had been a GNAS member previously, one of my local clubs agreed to assess me, and then decide whether a full refresher or beginner course was necessary. Those courses are also not available until May 2013!
The assessment went very well, and I have been invited to join the club... £90 per year outright. No costs per shoot. To me, that is a bargain, as the club shoot three times a week... Two evenings and Sunday afternoons. When the nights draw in, the evening shoots switch to an indoor venue.
Many years ago, I found the sport hugely enjoyable, and very rewarding. Based on my limited experience since restarting, I feel that none of that has changed.
If there is a downside to archery, it is the cost of kit. As has been stated, you can get pretty good kit for reasonable money when starting out, but once you decide to go to 'the next level' you can start looking at some eye watering costs!
I am shooting recurve at 50 yards generally.
Have found a really decent club, and am using club equipment at the moment.
Using a 68" bow with 30lb limbs at 28" draw... my draw length has been measured at 27.5" so should have 30lb at the fingers (roughly)
Am consistantly hitting 5s and upwards, with all six arrows of each end hitting the target.
Plan to visit a supplier in the next couple of weeks and get myself sorted with kit... credit card company have been warned!
Shooting outdoors two evenings a week until the end of September, then move indoors. Also shoot on Sunday afternoons. the club have a full-time rental agreement on the land they use, and actually have access to the ground 24/7 - so providing at least three members are present (including one of a certain level of standing) then you are able to shoot any time of the day! Providing there is daylight, obviously!
Would highly recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about having a go, and done nothing about it.
Have found a really decent club, and am using club equipment at the moment.
Using a 68" bow with 30lb limbs at 28" draw... my draw length has been measured at 27.5" so should have 30lb at the fingers (roughly)
Am consistantly hitting 5s and upwards, with all six arrows of each end hitting the target.
Plan to visit a supplier in the next couple of weeks and get myself sorted with kit... credit card company have been warned!
Shooting outdoors two evenings a week until the end of September, then move indoors. Also shoot on Sunday afternoons. the club have a full-time rental agreement on the land they use, and actually have access to the ground 24/7 - so providing at least three members are present (including one of a certain level of standing) then you are able to shoot any time of the day! Providing there is daylight, obviously!
Would highly recommend it to anyone who has ever thought about having a go, and done nothing about it.
Our lad (10 in a few weeks) has his last coaching session at our local club today, he's really enjoying it and we'll be back in a week to start the weekly training.
I did it competatively many many years ago and so did my dad, the coach got me to fire a few ends off and she was right when she said 'it's like riding a bike' I'd still got the basics and I've not ruled out giving it another go, it should involve a lot less trips to A&E than my current chosen sport.
I did it competatively many many years ago and so did my dad, the coach got me to fire a few ends off and she was right when she said 'it's like riding a bike' I'd still got the basics and I've not ruled out giving it another go, it should involve a lot less trips to A&E than my current chosen sport.
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