So - where do I start ?

[Skii]

Hi all, I just stumbled on this site doing a google search.

I'm very keen to start archery as a hobby, but I know nothing about the costs and equipment involved, having done a little research I've found a club which is very close to where I live, but I'm pretty sure I want to get serious about the hobby, so I need some pointers on recommended equipment etc.

I'm about 30, I'd say slightly above average upper body strength, and not exactly flush with cash so I would be aiming for something which would be good to start off with but also would last me a good while as my skills (hopefully!) develop.

Also, I'm right handed, but as a lad with the home made bows I used to make and having occasionally tried archery a couple of times it felt much more natural to hold the bow with my right hand and draw the arrow back with my left ! is this wierd for a right-hander.. ?

Thanks


John

[Focal]

Firstly, it is not particularly odd for a right-handed person to shoot a bow left-handed, although the reason is usually becuase of eye dominance. Then the question is whether you want to do recurve, the style of bow used in the olympics, or compound, the kind most people use to hunt. do a little research into what kind of bow you would like to shoot, and people here will be more than willing to give equipment reccomendations in most cases. A nice beginners recurve bow would be the W&W Evolution, and i don't know very much about compounds, so i will let someone else fill you in there.

[Malko]

First thing to do , go to the archery club!

they will have some gear for you to begin with and shoot for a couple of times.
Then when you know what kind of bow you want to shoot, and you want to continue, you can start thinking of buying your gear.

It can be quite expensive so you want to buy the right stuff the first time. :D

[Eberbachl]

Hi Skii,

Welcome to AF, and welcome to Archery :wink:

For you, as already mentioned - my first port of call would be to introduce yourself to your local club before anything else.

Get involved in their beginner program, as most club will have an introductory course to get you started in archery, and you may be able to borrow the club's equipment while you are doing this.

Don't buy any gear until you've done this step - that is important, as it is very easy to buy gear that isn't suited to you.

As far as the left/right handedness goes, there are a couple of schools of thought on that one.

Some say you should shoot with your naturally preferred hand regardless of eye dominance, and simply "train" your eyes, and some say you should follow your natural eye dominance.

Im sure they will attend to that at the local club.

Let us know how you go, and don't be afraid to ask for more advice :wink:

Cheers,

Luke.

:bday:

[mbomike]

I want to get serious about the hobby

First of all John, archery is not a hobby :o It's a ritualistic way of life :lol:

Welcome to the sport John. I hope you find as much enjoyment out of archery as we do :wink:

[grantwomack]

I want to get serious about the hobby

First of all John, archery is not a hobby :o It's a ritualistic way of life :lol:
Hmmmm, some might argue that AF.com is a way of life and archery is just a fringe benefit.... *AHEMFLAMEHEM* :D :D

[Flame]

Could be right Grunt :D

[Skii]

Thanks guys

The more I think about it, the keener I get 8) I've looked into local clubs abnd there is one down the road from me (UK) who meet up on Thursday evenings and do a 6 week beginner course - it'd be rude not to go :D

As far as left hand / right hand I'll see whats comfortable, i'm very much right eye dominant, and right handed, but theres plenty of time to experiment .

I still am very much debating on compound or recurve, in all honesty I'd love to go compund, but they seem very expensive particularly to someone who is just getting started, so I'm leaning towards a nice starter recurve like the W&W Evolution like Focal recommended (cheers) and then I can decide as my skills progress - good plan ?


Once again thanks - going to be fun this :D

[Malko]

If you start by Compound, you'll never want to shoot recurve.. however, if you start by shooting recurve, then when you are old and not that strong any more, you will still be able to try compound :D :D

Go recurve ! :D :wink:


Or you can also order yourself a nice Yew longbow 8)

[frommy]

Skii

Good advice already been posted, and I agree with all that has been said.

Might I also suggest that you might contact "grantwomak" and/or "shirt" on this board, or maybe they might like to post to this thread, and they might be able to provide added information. They also are in the UK.

It is such a piddling little area that you probably know each other already. :wink:

Brian

[grantwomack]

Yes, was just about to ask where in the UK you are at, Skii...
I am in York and Shirt is in Ruttland somewhere (home for the summer) but is moving to Edinburgh at the start of the next academic year. Andy is also around for a little while longer (I think) and he is down south somewhere - possibly Southampton... Not sure how much good it will do having us around but if you can think of something, let me know... :D

[frommy]

Malko,

That was a quick change of avatar. I would not have thought that the Warringah executive would approve of a member attending looking like that! :wink:

[Malko]

Do you know Thorgal ?
Quite a famous character of french/belgium Bandes dessinees (comic books)


here for more info:
http://www.bd.gp/bdgest/thorgal.html

[frommy]

No. But I do know several of your club executives. :wink:

[Flame]

It's Avatar frommy, and looks good.

Malko, don't forget your top hat and tails next time you are at the club :D

[Malko]

I love it. there's 27 books and I have them all !

http://tonicturtle.free.fr/thorgal2.jpg

[grantwomack]

http://www.bd.gp/Couvertures/Thorgal-09.jpg
Very nice indeed! :)
The girl in the background has quite poor form, however. She needs some definite coaching! :D

[Malko]

If you're in the UK you might be able to find the books, I think they are translated..
If ever you go to France, you'll find them in any book store

[Skii]

Sorry guys - haven't been able to access these forums for a while

Grantwomak - I live in Slough, West London. My nearest club is Iver Heath who have tuition days on Thursday evenings and meetings on Sunday mornings, so I'll be enrolling next Thursday.

Jeez I wwant my own gear and I haven't even fired an arrow yet :oops: :roll:

[Skii]

Hi all - Update

I've just completed the 6 -week course with my local club, and as of Sunday will be a GNAS and South Bucks Archers club member :D

Still itching to buy some equipment but I've been told to wait a little longer... lol

[recurve boy]

Still itching to buy some equipment but I've been told to wait a little longer... lol

That's good advice. You don't want to turn into a compound arch ... uh ... equipment junkie and constantly buying (and selling) gear you never needed in the first place.

:P