Suddenly the holiday season is upon us!
Easter being later this year means that the Easter school holidays are for the 2 weeks before. Suddenly there is lots of interest in Archery. Back into the swing of offering the unique experience of Archery GB Coaching during a have-a-go session. We love it here @Rockingham Forest Park – it’s great to see the lush foliage return. The wildlife is becoming more apparent once more and those Red Kites are starting to circle overhead more frequently!
Old friends return to visit
Wednesday afternoon saw Chris and Jakob return. Wow, they come and shoot every time they come to RFP. In fact, they are really just extended cousins, once removed, of the Griffin Archers family. Hopefully this visit will be the first of 2 or 3 more throughout the year.
More holidaymakers booked, so more arrows, balloons, lollies, and ‘beetles’….it all caused lots of fun.
Before we knew it, the Griffin members arrive and the range takes on a more serious note. Although the laughter remains at the waiting line – as does the friendly rivalry. Compound Archery was very much the theme of this session. Peter wanted to shoot away the days stress, (no Bosses were hurt at this point!) Keith was getting in some setting up and work on his compound. Pete got sight marks in for 50m, and his upcoming competitions.
Saturday morning – beginner course take 2
Then Saturday sees our bright-eyed and bushy tailed beginners.The coaching team welcomes some experienced archers helping for this session. Some of the coaches are busy working! In fact, as John introduced them, it became apparent that he and John have over 100 years of archery experience between them! Two Johns and two Petes caused much hilarity amongst the candidates.
It was a fun session and the beginners formed bonds and friendships.These resulted in some heated competition when it comes to scoring. ‘Build a beetle’ has never been so intense as the competition between Alicia and Chris. Everyone wins lollies too, and they all gather together to share snacks and chats during breaks.
Hottest day of the year, so lots of reminders to hydrate and put on suncream.
Sunday – take 3
Sunday saw the final Beginners session begin at 11am. The coaches were definitely more bleary eyed than the candidates.
It’s archers choice today, they get to experience other bow disciplines. They also got to shoot further than ever before at 20yds and learn about scoring. Our lovely couple, Cora and James, had great fun. Ian may have been our most senior candidate, but he gave the younger ones a run for their money. Our junior candidate was flying – getting better and better groupings. He was becoming more and more accurate as the session continued, it was lovely to see his confidence growing. Shelby and Alicia were enjoying their choices and surprised the coaches by choosing one barebow and one freestyle. Chris finally got his hands on a longbow, and is completely hooked! By the end of their Sunday session and 9 hours of Beginners course later, all those present graduated as “competent archers”.
They they were all invited to become members of Griffin Archers. Fingers crossed they choose to continue their archery journey with us.
Our club members continued the session, and the coaches caught up with food and drinks. Before long they began talking, teaching or shooting again! Its all part of what they do so well. We are very proud of our coaching team, Robyn, John, Pete, Trev, Oliver and Rayon.
The weather was not so kind to us on Sunday, the wind brought a chill. We were ready to pack away from 4pm. So we all got home in time for dinner.