It is never too late to learn archery or to improve existing skills.
That’s what dozens of local women have discovered this month under the tutelage of Cariboo Archers instructor and champion Al Campsall.
During three Monday evenings in March Campsall hosted a Ladies Only Archery series at the Williams Lake Sportsmen’s Association Indoor Archery Range on Bond Lake Road.
This is the fourth year Campsall has offered the series and said each time he gets women from 18 to 75 years old coming out to give it a try.
“To become proficient and have some fun at archery does not take a huge amount of time and effort,” Campsall said. “It’s quite easy to learn and bring it to an enjoyment level.”
With only two sessions left — April 10 and April 24 — women like Sharon Mallard are wondering what they will do when the course is over.
Mallard finished her last treatment for breast cancer on Feb. 16 and said afterwards she was motivated to “get out and live.”
Her daughter, Zora Vignjevic, invited her to go with her because she thought Mallard might like it.
“It’s awesome exercise for my chest,” Mallard said as she prepared to step up to the line. “I lost both breasts. I was here last week and could not wait to come back. I’m addicted.”
Stephanie Tweedie said her two sons, ages eight and 11, started the Junior Olympian archery program in January and she’s been coming to the indoor range to watch ever since with her 21-year-old daughter Dionne Phillips.
“Then they had this ladies shoot and my daughter and I were interested in trying it,” Tweedie said.
For Phillips, archery has been fun and not too competitive, she said, although she admitted she has been competing against her mom.
“I feel like I have learned a lot just on the very first night and have been slowly getting better,” Phillips said.
When Campsall encouraged the class to try shooting a floating ping pong ball target, Tweedie was one of the four women who hit the mark.
She smiled proudly afterwards, proving competition between a mother and daughter can be a lot of fun and a good incentive.
Aside from sharing pointers on how to properly hold the bow and anchor the string-holding hand against the teeth or ear, Campsall also shares advice about buying a bow.
“I have written up some recommendations regarding the different bows and arrows,” he said.
For anyone wanting to catch the last two sessions, the times are 6:30 to 8 p.m. with a drop-in fee. Participants can bring their own bow or use the association’s equipment.
For more information contact Campsall at 250-392-9695.
The class is cancelled on April 17 because Campsall will be away competing at the Canadian Indoor 3D Championships taking place from April 14 to 17 in Lac La Biche, Alberta.