try archery

although it is still something i want to do right now it isn’t a priority and i am removing it from my list, will come back to it another time.

I went to Alnwick Castle with my best friend yesterday and we gave archery a go there. We didn’t do too bad, although I think the smaller bow suited me better as they’re surprisingly heavy when you have to hold them out straight. I would like to take lessons and possibly find something to protect my fingers as it can be quite rough on them when letting go of the string! :)

darn…. i missed the date when they had a trial here in town.

Have done it on various holidays and now have my brothers old bow which I use from time to time to compete against him, only problem is he has done a lot of training and has a specialist bow so its really hard to beat him =p

Those of you in Northern California, take note – the NorCal Renaissance fair at Casa de Fruta (near Hollister) has an archery booth…and knowledgeable men in jerkins who are quite happy to help thee orient thyself!

Obviously if you’re wanting to become an accomplished archer this level of experience won’t do it for you but if you just want to dip your toe in the water this is a wonderfully accessible way to do it. It may almost seem hokey but it was a good introduction. It gave me an appreciation of what an amazing martial art archery actually is. Doing it well requires strength, control, focus, and a great willingness to train your eye and body. I mostly did this as a gesture of appreciation to my inner/archetypal Warrior, so for me developing this appreciation was the thing I most needed from the experience.

The Renaissance Fair is running for at least the next two weekends. Admission is $25 and archery costs $3 for 10 arrows and all the be-jerkin-ed help you can ask as you exhaust your stash…and of course, after you’re done shooting arrows you can enjoy all the other Renaissance goodness as well. Happy hunting!

I would never hunt, so it’s just for fun, but it is very fun once you get used to it. I haven’t done this in a couple of years though :)

It was part of my gym class, and it was fun!

I have tried it several times before, on holiday and on a school activity weekend years ago. I really enjoyed myself both times and would like to do it again.

satisfaction brought it back.

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just today. i tried it. my first impression of it was like, “blah, it’s just like tennis. (because i’m not so good at tennis). all technique and shudder good hand-eye coordination”.

but when i was out there, with the bow and arrow, and with the instructor… i didn’t think of it. i just thought, i’ll get out there and try my best and have fun.

and what did i get? i got a (few) nice bruise(s) on my lower left arm. but i got satisfaction… which reminds me.. at every new sport you’re trying, it’s all about answers and questions.

if you don’t know or are unsure with something, just ask. it’s the best way to get things right (yes, technique) and not get hurt (too badly).

i asked. got answers *and results. i was second best :)

which is good… because archery is something i don’t really suck at. lol!

I taught archery by default (no one else to do it) as a camp counselor while in college, so I kinda taught myself—enough to teach the kids. It was fun at the time, and I’ve wondered what it would be like to pick it up again as an adult!