I like the word 'pursuit' to describe archery. It's rather fitting in terms of the chase as well as a sporting activity.
It could be a high-scoring, high-stakes tournament to win over Maid Marian, a festering bloodbath to defeat the other side or a more humble quest for a frosty pint. Whatever the scenario, there's always a pursuit in mind.
Today, we're keeping it leisurely. This 90-minute 'have a go' archery session is housed in an enormous gym hall based in Bermondsey.
What did you do?
First, the 25 novice archers are split up into three different groups. We’re strapped up and introduced to the equipment. Archers wear an arm guard which is made of a leather-style material that holds your clothing back and stops rubbing from the bow. Said bows rest in wooden frames – and in this case, there are left-handed ones available.
Next we’re taught how to handle the bow and arrow. It’s all made straightforward: sit the front of the arrow on the crook at the front of the bow and push the clip at the back until it clicks into the string. The feathers on the arrow are even colour-coded (a +1 for the filing enthusiasts out there) so that you position it the right way up.
As you’d hope, you’re allowed to go and take some practice shots. You shoot in threes, getting useful tips from the instructors throughout.
You’ll also learn the importance of making sure that the field is clear before you collect your arrows from the board. Despite not looking sharp, the arrows deeply puncture the board. It takes pressure from your non-dominant hand and a firm pull from the other to release the arrow. It’s like pulling a blunt knife out of a swede.
In the final section, a competition is announced. Archers line up to shoot as before and are scored individually. The person with the highest score at the end takes home the coveted golden arrow and, depending on your mates, gets their first post-session bevvy for free.
A great sport, but not for me
I’m not a fan of archery personally, and I’m not just saying that because I’m abysmal. I just find it too repetitive: it’s hard for me to repeat the same action to the same degree over and over again, much like bowling.
That said, others praise it because the intensity of the focus you have to give – just before you fire, especially – draws you into the moment. I was in quite a funk that day and it turned my mood right around.
But above all, it’s incredibly satisfying hitting those bullseyes.
We went to 2020 Archery in Bermondsey, London. There are archery clubs all over the country: visit Archery GB to find out more.
Want to give it a go?
I chat to Heidi Nicholl, senior coach and co-founder of 2020 Archery, to find out what the craic is with this historic pastime.
Why should people try archery?
Gosh, there are so many reasons to give archery a try. First of all, it's accessible to pretty much anyone no matter how fit you are or how (not!) sporty you might be (if you don't believe us, check out Matt Stutzman, a Paralympic archer who has no arms and still shoots competitively). Secondly, it's cool: think Game of Thrones, Katniss Everdeen, Robin Hood and The Green Arrow.
More sensibly, it's a really good way of relieving stress – there's no better detox from work worries than to go and shoot a few arrows on the weekend or in the evening.
What types of archery are there? Which would you recommend for beginners?
There are actually quite a lot of different types of archery but probably the most pertinent is that you can shoot socially or competitively. This means that whether you fancy being totally traditional, with a long bow, a leather arm bracer and a back quiver or whether you want an all-singing, all-dancing Olympic recurve, you can find your niche.
We recommend starting with an organised beginner’s course. These cost £100-£150 in London for a five-week course. This will teach you the basics of technique, safety and etiquette for club level shooting.
What gear will beginners need? How much does it cost?
Most clubs will provide everything that a beginner needs to do the course. After that, many courses require you to purchase your own gear to continue.
We have more equipment than we need for the beginner courses so we allow our members to continue to borrow everything they need from us, for as long as they want, for no extra charge.
When you do want to buy your own gear, you can get a basic set-up for around £200. The more you spend, the higher the quality of gear. You can get a really good set up for around £500 which will last a good few years.
What about the cost of classes and courses?
It varies. We offer a 'Have a Go at Archery' class for £25. This gives you one and a half hours of coming along and having a go. We provide all the equipment, tuition, insurance and so on. A five-week beginner’s course (or weekend course) starts at £95.
What challenges are beginners likely to face and how do they overcome them?
The biggest challenge is expecting too much of yourself at the beginning. The great thing about archery is that as long as you enjoy taking part and you keep practicing, you will reach a reasonable level of proficiency. You just have to commit to shooting once or twice a week and you will improve.
Have you tried archery? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below!