Village Squire, 1979-01, Page 18exclusive archery stores are scarce in
Ontario, they are usually run by archers,
who know what they're talking about, and
are the most reliable outlet.
In 1976, while living in London, Peter
and Ken set up an archery course on land
provided by the Thames Valley Conserva-
ticn Authority in Fanshawe Park. The
course covered approximately 15 miles and
included 30 targets. They also founded a
club in London called the Broken Arrow
Archers.
The name was derived from Peter's idea
of breaking bent arrows instead of
straightening them. He explains that it was
not as an extravagant trait as it sounds. He
was trying to make the point that an arrow
is one of the archer's most important
pieces of equipment. He can buy a S5,000
bow, but. if he uses a cheap arrow, he will
have no success.
He adds that he didn't break many
arrows, because he insisted on using good
ores. and if an arrow became bent, it
wasn't worth straightening. The four
archers made most of their own arrows.
A year ago Peter and Elaine, who are
originally from the Lucknow area,
persuaded Ken and Carol to join them in a
partnership in an appliance centre in
Lucknow. The business has left them with
little or no time for archery, and they miss
it. During two years of competitions, they
met "a lot of nice people" and discovered
how much fun the sport can be. But they
also noted some discrepancies in the
organized sport that they hesitate to speak
out about.
They feel barebow archers in Canada
don't receive as much recognition as they
deserve and don't have adequate represen-
tation in the decision-making behind the
organized sport.
A barebow archer does not use a
mechanical sight or any other mechanical
device; his arrow serves as his sight. The
other method of archery is freestyle, in
which mechanical sights and other aids are
used; some pros even use mirrors and
magnifying glasses. Freestyle is recogniz-
ed in Olympic, international and even large
provincial competitions.
Some freestyle archers believe barebow
archers downgrade the sport, but Peter
and Elaine, Ken and Carol argue that
barebow archery requires more skill than
freestyle, and barebow archers have
proved they can shoot on a par with
freestyle archers.
New rules are being introduced that will
gradually phase-out barebow archery in
organized competitions, and Peter predicts
within five years all archers will use
mechanical sights.
The Lucknow foursome charge archery is
one of the most "political" sports in
Canada. They admit that, to anyone who is
unfamiliar with the sport, their comments
will probably sound like "sour grapes,"
but they aren't speaking on a personal
basis only. They speak for all archers in
Canada. who prefer the barebow style.
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If time permits in the future, they may
take part in some American competitions.
They prefer the U.S. meets, because they
are more fun. "The people really know how
to enjoy the sport," says Carol.
Peter adds, "You are accepted for what
you are, not what you shoot."
Approximately 50,000 Americans are
involved in archery; it is tied with bowling
in popularity. Canada has about 1,000
archers, but the Lucknow foursome hope
interest will grow, because archery in
general is an excellent participation sport
and archers are good people.
Some interest has been shown in the
Lucknow area. Ken and Carol spoke to a
girls' club recently, and last summer Ken
and Carol, Peter and Elaine held a
demonstration at the Kinsmen Summer -
fest. The spectators expected to see trick
shooting, which is not part of the sport.
"Archery is not a spectator sport,"
conceded Elaine, "but there is no better
sport to participate in."
Peter explains, "One of the best things
about archery is it's a fun sport for all ages,
six to 80, and whole families can get
involved."
Ken and Carol Adams and Peter and
Elaine Steer have accumulated more
trophies and championships than they can
keep track of, but more important to them
is the friendship and enjoyment they have
gained. To anyone looking for a satisfying
participation sport, they highly recommend
archery.
Cariadas `Leader inCKitcllenes and `Vanities
BAECHLER
Iiliisohi•ns 144 Initioioit.st
150 THE SQUARE
GODERICH. ONTARIO
N7A 1M9
January 1979, Village Squire 1J