Should I return to the sport?

[inkystu]

Hi all.
I've been out of archery for 15 years now and i am wondering whether to return to it.
I kind of miss the sport as I was fortunate enough to be a half decent shot. My whole life style has changed now with 2 young boys, a wonderful wife and my own company and I am debating if it would be too selfish to return to archery.
The main concerns are cost of equipment and time. I have been looking at the archers mart on here and also on ebay and realised how things have changed. Yes I can probably kit myself out 2nd hand for about £250 but I am getting confused with all the different risers and limb fittings.
I would like a setup that I could shoot decent scores with but would probably not do tournaments as the commitment to a whole day would be virtually impossible. My setup would probably be 68" right hand 42 - 45lbs @ 28" drawing a 27" arrow shooting something like a 620 or 670 ACE or equivillent AC (due to funding). I used to shoot a hoyt GM and an OK match but I'm struggling to decipher whats what with risers now. There's a couple of pairs of border limbs that I like the look of on ebay but would generally like some feedback from some current archers on their feelings? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

[sparky steve]

why don't you have a trip out to your local archery shop and have a try of the bows? and many of them do a full setup as a kit.

will give you a chance to find out how the bow feels in the hand, and sort out your bow weight and arrow size. after so long it might have changed.

welcome bck and happy shooting

[Old Bloke]

Half decent shot?.....err..I think you were a lot better than that having worn the G.B. shirt!!!

Concerning modern day equipment, well I have made you privvy to my blog, have a read of that and you will see that it is a minefield and it is a pity you have only just joined the forum as many of my posts have been a sideways look at how it used to be (when it was oh so easy) and how it is today (a pain in the ar**).

It's not only the bows with the ILF that give me cause for concern (still) but also these ultra thin carbon shafts and the issues I'm finding with them..but I'm trying to wear my countries colours again but this time in Target Archery, so I'm taking more care and time over the study..what I have for field archrey is pretty well much spot on. The days of one fits all are long gone.

Concerning you coming back to the sport, why not bring in the wife and kids as archery is a family sport and you know that I started when I was 5 when my family did it.

At least you are on here and that is a start.

Welcome back Stuart.

Dave.

[simon m]

I started back after a break from 12 years old too 28. Brought my wife with me.

If the kids are old enough get them in too.

the technical side of thing is very complex now. getting a recurve set up perfect seems to be a black art to me, I have just about got my compound set the way I want after a whole winter season & settling in.

[inkystu]

Thanks Dave.
Both my boys have had a go at archery and my eldest (Luke) has a terrific style but he can turn his hand to any sport. He came 2nd out of 60 in his first gymnastics competition last year at the age of 7!!! My youngest (Nathan) is only 4 but loved having a go and 2 months later still runs round and pretends to shoot a bow then shouts 'archery'! I think he'll be the one to take up the sport. Kind of reminded me of another thread by little miss purple. "You can tell an archer by...."
I have read your blogs about your setup and agree about the minefield. I am seriously jealous of your riser and limb combination as I have the utmost respect for both Chris and Keith.
I think I just want to try and shoot to the best of my ability within the training time I would have. I never I felt I reached my peak before as I let a whole load of other cr*p get in the way. Maturity(!) may have sorted my head out now and I guess I'm just intrested at what I could achieve.
I'm sure you will crack the target scene as I know your level of commitment and dedication to succeed. Wish I could help.

[inkystu]

Thanks Simon m. My wife has a serious neck injury so she wont be joining me if I start back. I think the technical setup side wont be too much of an issue for me as I wont be doing tournaments. As long as I can still get my bare shaft on the target at 90m I'll be happy!

[Thunk]

Welcome to the forum Stuart - and (hopefully) welcome back to archery!

If you're the Stuart I think you are, then of course you should come back! You should never have left! (I shouldn't be saying that - I came back three years ago after being AWOL for thirty-two years!) Look on the cost of re-kitting youself as an investment in your future sanity, and kitting out the family as an investment in their futures. (Hint: you can get a kid started in archery for much less than the cost of a Playstation!)

[addo]

Originally Posted by inkystu

As long as I can still get my bare shaft on the target at 90m I'll be happy!

1)Are you/is he joking? 2)With a recurve? 3)That sounds like a hard thing to do.Is it?

Sorry,cant give any relevant advise.It sounds like you may have forgotten more than i'll ever know.

[inkystu]

Yes it was a recurve. When I was at my best all those years ago(!) that was my quick test for tuning. Chuck a bare shaft down at whatever distance I was shooting. 50m was at 11 o'clock blue on an 80cm face. 70m was 11 o'clock black/blue on 122cm and 90 m was 11 o'clock white or just on the boss. That was with 1814 x7s and also got the same with beman 18s. Never quite got it with ACE's but was close.

[clickerati]

I love my 1814 X7s, too!

Meanwhile, I think you really want to come back to archery, otherwise you wouldn't have lurked and now joined in the fun of the forum. Granted, that's not the same as shooting down the club, but why not? Even if it's just for fun and relaxation!