Help! Newbie dilemma...

[Witchie Poo Cat]

Hi

I wonder if any of you kind peeps can help me with something. I started an archery course last night and it was great! At the end I asked the organisers about joining the club and asked if we (hubby and me) would be able to borrow club equipment when we join for the first few months until we know more about what equipment suits us (after reading loads of advice to beginners on this forum). Well I was a bit stunned to find out that the club can only lend equipment for the duration of the beginners course, after that time you must provide your own - something to do with GNAS insurance not covering you otherwise. Interestingly, before going along to the course I had emailed another archery club which is closer to us and on returning I had an email from them saying also that the club does not and cannot lend equipment, you must provide your own.

Is this normal? After reading loads of posts on this forum I assumed that all clubs had equipment you could borrow in the early days so that you dont waste money on your first bow only to outgrow it within a few months.

Any opinions on this greatly received.

Interestingly though, we have also visited a field archery club who advised us that they CAN lend us equipment and, in fact, actively encouraged us to do so (like a lot of members on here) and not rush into buying something right away.

Is this difference in policy due to the different bodies GNAS and NFAS policies being different, or is each individual club responsible for its own conditions?

Im just panicking slightly as I dont feel able to buy a bow yet, or in 5 weeks time. Im only on a measly 16lb bow right now and would like to thing I can go up a few pounds yet before buying! I cant hire one from Stylist as their starting draw weight is 24lbs so it would suit my hubby but not me.

Am now totally confused. I think target archery is a good place for me to start with as I can concentrate on technique and can shoot indoors. However, if I cant borrow equipment I will have to join the field archery right away, which although is somethign I am interested in, feel that maybe its a bit ambitious for a beginner.

Help! I have no clue, can anyone give me any guidance and point me in some sort of direction!!

Thanks

Witchie Poo Cat

[CPlater1]

About GNAS insurance, im sure they were just saying that as a load of b*******. The club may need the bows for more beginners to come in. The club I belong too is quite happy to lend bows when needed. You could ask people round the club to help.

Chris

[Murray]

"GNAS insurance" excuse doesn't make sense to me. I can think of no reason why this might be a problem.

Some of last September's beginners in our club are still using the club kit! We do not force members to buy kit until they're ready as we believe that club fees are high enough without that extra burden.

If the kit is kept externally to the club, then perhaps they just can't be a**ed bring it back and forward every week.

[markmingay]

Pity you are so far away from sunny Milton Keynes, We at S.A.L.T. are always happy to lend beginners equipment for a nominal fee (£1 a session) and have a quantity of Bows of various sizes and draw weights. As far as I am aware once you have paid your Club & GNAS fees you are covered by the GNAS insurance

[Mufti]

Indeed the GNAS boat doesn't float for me either.
There is nothing to stop an archer borrowing a bow from someone to test it or try it out - they would still be covered by GNAS insurance as long as the shooting is properly controlled.

[ben tarrow]

often it comes down to the amount of equipment available and the number of people wanting to use it. If the club runs "rolling" beginners courses then as one person finishes their beginners course, there may be another person lined up who needs the equipment. The answer therein is buy more equipment. Check out www.AwardsForAll.co.uk for lottery funding for clubs. £5000 buys a goodly amount of equipment.
I know of clubs who have stocks of intermediate bows (gold medalists and samik mizars) that they rent out. It is a bit of a logistics nightmare keeping track of who has what, who owes what and making sure it all is in good working order, but it can be done.

At the end of the day, if you have to buy your own, a couple of roland bows or similar entry level bows with arrows and stuff wont set you back much over a couple of hundred quid.

Since all the other members of this club have had to buy their own equipment, there is a good supply of entry level equipment available second hand. Also, checkout the second hand market at your local pro shop.

[GeoffT]

Hi,

I notice you are in Bolton, I am secretary of Chorley Bowman and I understand we started a beginners course last night.

Was it our course you were on? If so, I may be able to clear some things up.

• You do have to join the club after the course for GNAS insurance purposes. Indeed it is I who will accept your cheque.
  
• We don't have any spare kit to lend to post-beginners. We had a lot of equpiment stolen about 18 months ago and we are still building up our stocks.
  
• You will be surprised that after 6 weeks you will be sufficiently settled to buy a reasonable starter kit.
  
• It is possible that some of our intermediate archers may have some of their original gear for sale. Our coaches will advise on suitability.
  
  If it wasn't Chorley Bowmen who you started with then please ignore these ramblings. If it was, why not pop down on Tuesday or Thursdayfor a chat with the members. We would be glad to see you.
  
  If it was Chorley, I don't understand why "three fingers below" ...I'm sure there must be a reason. I can assure you that at the end of the course you will be doing itproperly.

Hope this helps...Geoff

[Radar_UK]

My club regulary loans out equipment to newbies who have yet to purchase their own kit and have never mentioned insurance issues !

[wingate_52]

My club does lend out kit, and it is of value to beginners.

[MikeD]

We do lend out club equipment to new members after they complete a beginners course, but only on the club night when there is a duty coach. If the beginners also want to shoot at the weekend, they need to buy their own equipment.

There is usually a range of beginners bows for sale from members who have progressed, or as someone else suggested a Rolan outfit is around £120 and can be sold on easily to a future beginner.

The Stylist bows are an excellent way to progress though bow weights without additional expense (whether rented or bought). Usually by the end of our beginners course gents are able to draw 30lb without too much difficulty and ladies 26 or 28lb).