So you're looking forward to your first archery lesson.
Maybe you're feeling a little apprehensive about what to expect or whether you need to
do anything specific.
I've done a video on the basics of form in case you want a head start, but this video
will look at what you can expect on your first day.
Firstly, how do you go about getting into archery?
Archery is a relatively uncommon sport.
It's not surprising if you're not sure what you're meant to do.
I get a lot of inquiries about teams and tryouts and memberships.
However, archery clubs aren't like most clubs, especially in team sports which do run on
a seasonal basis and with strict routines.
Archery clubs are more like golf clubs in the sense that they're quite casual and individualised,
at least to begin with.
Most archery clubs have some kind of introductory program.
In Australia, it's known as the Come And Try program.
Most clubs will run it slightly differently, but basically you'll be given a short talk
on equipment and safety.
You'll be given a demonstration on how to shoot and then you'll be allowed to shoot
for the next hour or two with the instructor giving you tips on your form.
Some clubs will offer an extended beginner program that runs for several weeks, which
covers the theory elements as well as practical skills.
The purpose of these courses is to give you the fundamental knowledge to prepare you for
taking up archery as a long-term interest.
If you're trying to get into the sport, these are the sessions that you'll want to find
out about.
When you call up, you'll want to ask about when these programs run and how much they
would cost.
Some clubs open all day and do drop-in sessions, so you can turn up anytime and be taught individually.
Others run set times and require advanced booking.
In short, when contacting a club, these are the questions you need to ask.
Yeah, hi, I'm wondering about when you run your introduction sessions.
Uh huh, and how much do they cost?
Okay, and do I need to book?
That's actually all you need to ask.
In case you're wondering what do I need to bring, you actually don't have to bring anything.
Generally we ask people to wear comfortable clothing, preferably close-fitting.
If you wear puffy garments, you might have a bit of a hard time when the bowstring hitting
your sleeves or your jacket.
We also tell people to wear closed shoes as a matter of safety.
In terms of equipment, you don't have to bring your own bow.
The club will teach you using standard club equipment.
If you happen to own a bow, you can ask if you can bring it but it's likely that the
club will ask that you not use it and you'll learn on the standard club equipment.
The reason is the club knows its equipment, it knows its bows, it know its capabilities,
it knows its maintenance and condition.
Your equipment may not be appropriate for learning with.
So they'll ask you to not use it, especially if your bow is very old or if the draw weight
is very high.
This tends to be common for people who have bows which have been handed down to them.
I often come across people who bring their compound bows and want to have a shot.
It's one thing to bring your compound down and shoot at the range, but it's something
different to learn archery from scratch using this bow.
It's very likely that the instructor will ask you to use a club recurve bow rather than
your compound and they'll teach you the basics of archery using the recurve.
This is especially true if you have a very strong hunting compound.
I'm talking around 60# hunting compounds.
Basically, don't expect to be able to use your own equipment if you're doing an introduction
session.
Now, most people who attend these sessions are just in it because they've always wanted
to try archery, and that's fine.
One session is usually enough for most people.
The first session is usually about giving a feel for the bow and arrow.
Maybe do some scoring, but otherwise it's mostly to have fun.
Consequently, instructors often don't give specific advice on particular parts of your
form and let things slide.
More often than not, beginners are most interested in having fun and hitting bullseyes rather
than doing it right.
In terms of how much attention you get, I occasionally get asked things like why don't
you teach me more?
The reason is because most of these sessions double up as the entry level for the sport
and as a fun activity.
We have to divide our time among the participants and some aren't as interested in archery as
others.
Or they don't like being told what to do.
It's kind of like how people go to the bowling alley to knock pins down rather than get advice
on how to become a professional competitive athlete.
Bear in mind that a lot of clubs are understaffed when it comes to the instruction programs.
The ideal ratio may be one instructor to every three or four participants.
More often than not, you'll often find one instructor for ten to twelve participants.
It's really hard for an instructor to divide their time equally to all participants.
If people aren't showing interest and just want to go bop bop bop, then the instructor
probably won't go around and give very specific advice.
But if you're the kind of person who actually is into the sport and you want to learn more,
you've got to show it.
Ask questions, ask for pointers, describe how you feel when you shoot, and what you're
learning.
If you want this attention from the instructor, you've got to be proactive and you need to
show interest.
These sessions are great opportunities to mingle with people who have the same interest,
the same level as you, they've done archery before or who are senior archers, and these
are the people who support you in building your long-term interest in archery.
And this really comes into play when looking at people who want to take it up as a sport
or want to buy their own bow.
Talk to other archers.
Talk to the instructors.
They'll give you the advice that you need and the resources for you to make the right
decisions.
If you really enjoy, you may want to come back a few more times to see whether it's
a passing interest or if it's something that's really for you.
If you're ready to commit, talk to the club about membership.
Memberships are usually handled through the local, regional or state or national association
and the club will guide you through the process and they'll tell you what support the club
will give you.
Additionally, you may be interested in buying your own equipment, in which case they can
recommend where you can buy it from.
This is especially useful because many of the club members will be buying from the same
suppliers, so they can give you feedback on particular items as well as support or customer
service experience.
This should be enough info to guide you through the first steps in the sport.
If you're interested in the organised sport-style club-based archery, then this is basically
what you'll be going through, and this will lead you through your development as an archer.
This is NUSensei, hope this was helpful.
Thanks for watching, and I'll see you next time.