Bring your bow and arrow, join the fling (9 photos)

With a desire to build local interest in archery, the Sault North Archery Club wants to get the word out about its third annual Spring Fling, to be held later this month.

Interest in archery is beginning to grow, members told SooToday at its regular weekly members only shoot Wednesday evening.

Students at secondary schools CASS and Korah are beginning to take to bows and arrows, they said. 

The club currently has about 70 members, of all ages.

“We have shooters from about five or six years old, right up to seniors. It’s great. When we meet on Wednesdays (beginning at 7 p.m.) we have a good game and socialize. Everyone’s ready to help each other,” said Jennifer Aubertin, Sault North Archery Club winter convenor.

“It’s great exercise,” Aubertin said, the sport known to strengthen arms, hands, chest and shoulders, helping one to mentally focus and build confidence and self esteem.

The club’s indoor range, in the basement of 640 Queen St. E., is open to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week (members have keypad access to the club’s door, in the rear of the building facing the Queen and Bruce parking lot). 

“In the middle of the night, if you have insomnia you can come in and shoot and relax,” said Dave Boston, Sault North Archery Club president.

Club members have been known to drop by and shoot early in the morning, before work, or during their lunch hour, Aubertin added. 

“It’s something that really takes a lot of focus and practice. It is a skill set and you’re always learning,” Boston said.  

Benefits of archery, members agree, include stress relief.

“In my eyes it’s a great stress reliever,” said club member Sarah Jane Grant.

“Nothing beats a good ‘thwack’ in the afternoon. It’s just you and your bow and arrow. When you release your arrow and can hear it release, and it hits the target, you can finally exhale because you end up holding your breath. You’re either going to finally say it’s a good shot, or, if it’s a bad shot, blame the arrow,” Grant laughed.

“I’m very passionate about our archery club. It’s one big family,” Grant added.

The club’s outdoor range is located at 525 Landslide Rd., open when the snow is gone, Boston said.

There, the club sets up its targets and runs its summer league Wednesday evenings.

“It’s good fun for all,” Boston said.

The club offers lessons at its indoor range for beginners from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, open to all (admission by donation, with equipment available for visitors, while members are expected to purchase their own equipment).

The club formed in 1984.

“I’m one of the founding members. A bunch of us went on a hunting trip, came back and decided to start up a club and this is what it grew into. It’s been doing really well,” Boston said.

Membership fees are $350 a year for a family, $200 for one adult, $125 for students and $75 for youth 15 and under.

The club is having its annual Indoor 3-D Spring Fling Archery Shoot Apr. 28 at Rankin Arena, beginning at 8 a.m., with two rounds of 20 targets.

Non-members are welcome at the event, which is also open to all age groups.

Prize medals will be available for the top three archers in each category, with a door prize available.

More information on the event and the club is available by calling Dave Boston at 705-253-4658, by email at [email protected] or through the Sault North Archery Club Facebook page.