It’s been a years since i last touched my bow. I believe it is still safely stored in the cool, dark storeroom of my archery club. I hope so :).
I first picked up this hobby back when i join my current company. I had the intention to try it out because at that time it was an exotic sport. Furthermore, i had read a Prophet Muhammad’s sunnah that muslim males are encourage to have archery, swimming and equistry skills. Another reason for me to pursue it. My participation was on and off since i was part time undergrad. Practice takes time and I had little time to spare for this. I was mostly very active when exam are over.
Both my bow set are second hand. My first bow was a wooden set. Bought the complete wooden set from a guy who was quitting the archery club. My metal bow is gathered from a few sources. Bought the riser, stabs and arrow rest at a bundled price of $1.1K. The limbs cost me $800. The rest of the accessories cost me another $300. I bought the metal casing. I started shooting with my aluminium arrows before i bought the carbon aluminium arrows. This is the photo of my equiptment:
Archery is not only exotic but a costly sport but it is worth the effort. I receive a few praises. Not because of my shooting skill but for my bow set. Every thing matches. It’s red everywhere. Red fiery riser, limbs with some red hoyt apple logo, the red string and Beiter stabs with faded pink stoppers. I bought red quiver to go along with my set.
As mention, I started with joining my company’s Archery Interest group. Then i was pulled in to join HTNS Archery Club. I also joined a few other clubs. I was joining one after another and at my peak, i was a member of 5 clubs! So I have no lack of ranges to shoot but i was mostly at HTNS. I was always there because firstly, it was convenient as it is nearby and secondly, it is a brightly lit and air conditioned indoor range!
I trained hard at the club. I had some medals for my effort. I treasure my winning. I have them nicely displayed at my cubicle instead of leaving it at the club. My first was a few after a few months after i started training at the HTNS. This is my humble collection of my winning. I’m sure lots of people have more than me:).
I don’t much time to pursue this hobby of mine right now. I still have the passion but i don’t think i will have the time to do it. I have other priorities in life. I will get back when my life is better. However, the main thing now is i have to check that my bow is still around and intact. It’s a real waste if it’s missing. I spend lots of $$ on it. I should go down and check it out one of these days.
Above all, an archery club is characterized by its community of archers and the vibrancy depends on the participation. It is also activities that i missed and remember most. The mental training, monthly trials, the fun shoot and the competitions. I was at the clubs when the participation was at the peak. It was very crowded until we had to take turns to be at the shooting line. However, good times never last. The numbers dwindled. Most gone MIA (including me) due to work and life commitments, leaving only the frequent faces few actively shooting. For the record, the last arrow i shot was about 7 months back (and that was after I MIA for 3-4 months). Every time i make a comeback, I meet new regular faces in the range. I believe my next visit will be the same but i hope the old regulars will still be around. Else i will feel very alien when i’m there.
