When you were a beginner

[Random_guy]

Have to agree with Barry about student archery. Started in october, after looking at loads of different sports. Had tried archery at campsites with scouts and enjoyed it, so thought i'd try it properly. Went to the have a go and the 3 free sessions you could go to before joining, enjoyed the archery, liked the people, so became a member. After about a month realised i was quite good and decided to buy my own bow. Got it at new year and the scores just kept going up! Haven't looked back, and don't think i will.

[bluebow]

Archery was something I always wanted to try, probably as both of my parents were keen target rifle shooters so target sports were in my blood.

Decided to take the plunge when in 2001 foot & mouth disease in Britain prevented me from doing as much hill walking as I wanted. I needed another outdoor hobby. So completed my beginners course at the end of Summer 2001.

Took things steady as far as equipment, bought a wooden take-down bow and used that for the first indoor season, buying my first real bow in Feb 2002 (W&W Exfeel and WinAct Limbs). I've changed limbs twice since then and riser once.

Been really fortunate of having the best advice all along (including from none other than Lez - even before he became head Aardvark).

I don't think I had any concept before starting of spending virtually every weekend in the summer shooting in competitions.

It's become a major part of my life. I've met many fabulous people. I'm competitive, but really do think the social aspect of the sport brings the greatest reward.

Hill walking? Don't seem to find much time for that now!

[simon m]

Started when I was 10 with my dad, after shooting for a few summers in my nan's back garden(massive) for fun.

Shoot till i was 13 then secondary school activities kinda took over (******, rugby, punch ups, girls and in the later years boozing)

Saw robert whats-his-face on history channel(few months ago) wittering about longbows, and the missus pipes up "I'd love to have a proper go at that"...........she starts at chiltern archery tomorrow, i have my advanced beginners refresher with berko bowmen tuesday night!

[Radar_UK]

Always been involved in target sports, so when all the firearms laws started to change Archery seemed a natural progression.

Started about 5 yrs ago but had to give up due to work but now I have restarted I cannot get enough !

[Paper_Arrow]

I had always found archery facinating. as a child we had a large garden even once set up a makeshift range with tin cans for targets and a cheep toy bow (think red suckers on the ends of the arrows). By secondary school i had friends who did it but the nearest clubs were an hurs drive away. The closest i could get was spending many hours at a mini range at the local funfair winning teddybears. I also did a few taster sessions at places like centre parc's etc. Once i went to Uni it was put to the back of my mind (the uni archery club folded, i think and beer was much more important). About a month ago i picked up robert hardy's book about the longbow and it got me thinking. I was on the lookout for a new hobby, having just moved to a new area (part of a whole sort my life out phase). The missus suggested i should try it, but i just laughed it off. A few days later i thought about it some more, and a quick internet search ended me up here! With help from you guys I found that the nearest club is just down the road and start my begginers course in May. I am hooked on it for life already and still havent fired a proper bow!!!!! (P.s. I blame you lot for that, lol )

[Max]

Originally Posted by Normsky

Just read your post - did you resell your Yamaha in March this year on Ebay? Cos if you did I was probably the one that bought it!

Nope!!! Not guilty. I still have my old Alpha EX and the two pairs of limbs that came with it. (38lb 68" and 39lb 70"). It stacks a bit compared to more modern limbs and I had the riser repainted (the mag alloy used on the Yam's used to corrode quite badly and flake the paint if they got chipped).

It is still a good bow, and very modern it its design and grip. The problem was all the Metric fittings - non standard button and stabiliser bushes. I eventually altered these to 5/16". It made a cracking field bow for Hunting Tackle class.

[Normsky]

It is still a good bow, and very modern it its design and grip. The problem was all the Metric fittings - non standard button and stabiliser bushes. I eventually altered these to 5/16". It made a cracking field bow for Hunting Tackle class.

Fair enough. It is a good bow but still too high on the poundage so gonna stick it back on ebay asap. Along with a few other bits and bobs I may be able to raise enough money to invest in a new setup. At present I am thinkin of a hoyt helix but open to suggestions.

I find most of the fun in buying something new is doing the research and a few trials. Shame ya can't do that in a pie shop really.

[Macbow]

Having my own kids and making them garden cane bows brought me into archery, or rekindled some dormant boyhood fascination. Thing is I only ever wanted to shoot a wooden bow - Robin Hood/cowboys and indians stuff - and found clubs and coaches can be a bit dismissive of the trad side. First time with a friend's AFB and I knew it was for me. Before I knew it had acquired a bunch of bows in the quest for the magic stick (the one that helps me shoot a 400+ on our field course). I am now a bowaholic.

[clickerati]

For you, geoff - a poll of your own!!!

[geoffretired]

It's still great fun to shoot at "things that fall over when you hit them"
Make sure their parents aren't looking though.