Our Archery program formally launched in February of this year and has been cruising steadily along with high popularity (for those wondering we're aiming - Hah! - to add a second class in September).
Today's post is brought to you courtesy of the Head of the Archery Program, Patricia Gonsalves. She recently returned from Hawaii where she had a chance to do some shooting at some rather unconventional targets. See one of them below; there is another photo but it freaked me out so I told her I wouldn't post it (though I'm sure that she'd love to show it off if you asked her).
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On a recent trip to Hawaii, somewhere I'd never thought I'd go, I had the chance to visit the island of Lanai.
Lanai is what used to be the Dole pineapple empire. I can only imagine what a beautiful island it must of been before row after row of pineapple took over.
As it slowly rebuilds after Dole pulled up roots and left for the Philippines, Lanai has embraced the 'adventure tourist' with various outdoor sports being offered on this beautiful island.
Lanai Pines Sporting Clays is one of many 'adventures' one can do there. Don't be fooled by its name, Lanai Pines doesn't only offer clay shooting but also my favourite pastime: archery.
I was so happy to learn that I could bring my bow and arrows to Maui with me and planned to try out Lanai Pines' outdoor 3D shoot.
As any of you who may know me, 3D is my favourite kinda shootin' out there. Needless to say, I was excited! Turns out I had total reason to be, Lanai Pines offers one of the best 3D courses I've ever been on. It was a fun, beautiful walk through Ironwood Pines, with a little shooting in between. Kind of like golf but instead of a good walk ruined, it was a good walk enhanced.
I had the chance to shoot all manner of both marked and unmarked targets, mountain goat to alligator to boar. As you can see from the picture below, the boar and I reconciled after I poked it full of holes.
Aside from having a blast, being on Lanai reminded me that as archers it is important for us to support each other all over the world in our incredible chosen sport. With the interest in archery on the rise it is even more important to meet new clubs and represent our own clubs, City and Nation. So next time you are heading out on vacation do some internet searching for local archery clubs. I find it best to write and email or even call and let them know you are coming.
Perhaps we will start a new trend; Archery Tourism.
Devon Boorman is the Co-Founder and Director of Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay, which has been active in Vancouver, Canada since 2004. Devon’s expertise centres on the Italian swordplay tradition including the arts of the Renaissance Italian rapier, sidesword, and longsword, as well as knife and unarmed techniques. Read more from Devon Boorman.