Any archers out there?

[kyska]

I'm looking at buying my daughter a bow, I'm very close to Merlin archery, but though I'd put it out here.

 

She's 13, tall for her age and fairly strong from horse riding for as long time.

 

She's just not into shooting but has an interest in archery.

 

I have no idea whatsoever, any ideas or links?

[vmaxphil]

I shoot field archery, (national field archery society) look on the net for nu sensi or merlin archery adventures, I would advise doing an archery beginner's course so you learn properly and not injure yourselves.

Merlin are very good with beginner's and will help you find lessons also lessons are not expensive, around £50 for 4 2 hour sessions

[saddler]

I used to shoot BLBS (British Longbow) & NFAS (as above)

 

The latter are the nicest people you can meet at the shoot on the day, but turn into Jekyll & Hyde types on the forums!! Literally night & day difference.

I thought the GNAS were a bunch of ********* that did next to zero for the sport aside from count membership fees.

 

Try a few different meetings for different disciplines & see what she prefers

 

"Roving" is also fun & a lot less formal

[Andy H]

Nip into Merlin with the daughter and have a word with Chris jones or his son and they should be able to put you both on the right track.

[Gonna Shoot a Wabbit]

Ey up,

 

I do target archery, i shoot english longbows.

 

Without doubt as already said your daughter will benefit hugely from a beginners course i am sure merlin can point you in the right direction.

 

Compound bows are the easiest archery discipline to master, followed by recurve bows. I started off shooting recurve but got the longbow bug and never looked back.

 

Go along to a local club and see what its all about.

 

http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/bows/compound-bows/junior-compounds.html

 

http://www.merlinarchery.co.uk/bows/recurve-bows/complete-recurve-bows.html

 

Just like shooting you can spend as little or as much as you like on your rig and you get what you pay for. Most archery shops do beginners kits so its more important to decide how much you want to spend. And once the beginners course is complete go along to the shop and simply say i have £££ to spend and i need everything what can you do! they will put something together in your price range.

 

To match your daughters height and draw weight, then match the arrows to the bow. The good thing about going to an archery shop rather than e bay is she will get properly matched gear that she can try before you buy.

 

Owt else dont hesitate to ask.

 

Happy Shootin'

[robbiep]

As GSAW says, plenty of different types of archery. You can go down the longbow route ( called a 'bent twig' by the compound bow shooters), or, at the other extreme, a compound bow that has a trigger (the longbow crew say that it isn't really archery if it has a trigger) !

Edited July 20, 2016 by robbiep

[vmaxphil]

Don't worry about archery styles yet if you go into Merlin with your daughter they will probably let her have a go in their indoor range

[wraivi]

I would agree with finding a local club, Merlin will know where they are locally. They will usually have all the starter gear and will offer coaching to install the basics. After a few visits, the decision can be made whether or not to start building your daughter's own bow set up. It can be tiring until the right muscle groups get into shape, but a very rewarding sport, albeit frustrating sometimes.

[MrM]

I would agree with finding a local club, Merlin will know where they are locally. They will usually have all the starter gear and will offer coaching to install the basics. After a few visits, the decision can be made whether or not to start building your daughter's own bow set up. It can be tiring until the right muscle groups get into shape, but a very rewarding sport, albeit frustrating sometimes.

100% agree with that - last thing you want to do is go and buy some equipment before she has had any form of beginners lessons. When looking for a club, see what their Junior Section is like - Bowman of Birstall for instance have a fantastic Junior section if you are near Kirby Muxloe.

 

Have a look here for clubs near you http://www.archerygb.org/support/clubs/club_finder.php

 

As others have said there a number of different "disciplines" (Target/Field etc) and bow types (Recurve, barebow, compound, longbow) - however I would strongly recommend starting off under the Archery GB route as it casters very much for kids, and then once she has decided what bow style/discipline, branch out.

 

If she gets the bug though be prepared to give up almost all your weekends in the summer - been there, done that!

Edited July 20, 2016 by MrM

[Gonna Shoot a Wabbit]

Really!

HA HA HA now now my dear chap put your handbag away, i know you were a top level compund shooter. we have already spoken in person on the subject the last time i saw you. I hope you are well by the way! i merely meant that on a sliding scale of difficulty in putting the arrow in the custard it is easier to do this with a bow with a trigger, sights stabiliser, and draw weight let off that shoots matched carbon arrows, than with a bent stick that shoots feathery twigs!........ my new yew self bow is awesome all it needs is a decent archer now ha ha ha for now it will have to put up with me.

 

As GSAW says, plenty of different types of archery. You can go down the longbow route ( called a 'bent twig' by the compound bow shooters), or, at the other extreme, a compound bow that has a trigger (the longbow crew say that it isn't really archery if it has a trigger) !

you sir are obviously a man of wisdom and distinction HA HA HA HA HA HA

[das]

As an archery coach for many years, I would recommend you enroll your daughter on a beginners course at a registered Archery GB club (bound to be one or two near you).

It is important for young people to be assessed for age, size and strength as to being issued with the correct size and draw poundage of bow.

Club courses are usually 12 hours over a few weeks.

During the course she will be taught all aspects of safe shooting and shown the different bow styles available such as recurve, longbow, compound etc.

On completion of the course a certificate is issued which will allow you to join any Archery GB affiliated club.

Total cost of course usually £40-£50 including all equipment.