Are you looking for a physical activity with low commitment and stamina requirements, but one that still provides a unique challenge? Archery may be a good sport for you to try out.
Biola does offer archery classes, but they are known for running out of space quickly during class registration. There is an alternative, however, that many are unaware of: the Biola Archery Club.
ACTIVITIES
The club is primarily for archery practice, as well as a place to hang out. The club hosts an archery competition for its members at the end of every semester.
The club also has occasional events based on holidays or during summer. Sophomore biological science major Heather Calhoun, a member of the club, described a Halloween event that occurred last semester where the members shot at monster-themed targets as well as pumpkins.
LOVE FOR ARCHERY
“I have always been in love with archery mainly because of Merida from the movie Brave,” Calhoun said. “When I found out there was a class and a club, I applied for the class and joined the club as soon as I could.”
Calhoun finds archery to be an amazing sport as it requires concentration and practice while not being too physically taxing.
Sophomore CMA major Zane Zietlow, another member, said that his journey with archery began in middle school.
“I shot my first arrow in middle school on a random sports day and picked it up last year when I joined the archery class,” Zietlow said.
He loved everything about the class, from the coaches to the teaching assistants (TAs), so he kept going back.
AIMING TO IMPROVE
Both Calhoun and Zietlow noted that archery is a skill that is easy to learn, but slow to master.
Calhoun described how she found it easy to handle the bow and arrows, but that she struggled with her form.
“I would jut my jaw which would change my nocking point. I also struggled with tightening my shoulders which helps keep your arms as straight as possible,” she said. “So for my first semester, my shots always went too far to the right.”
To this day, her form is the number one skill she is working on.
“If you find that you are someone who likes to learn a skill over a long time then [archery] is great,” Zietlow said.
SHOOT FOR IT
For those interested, Calhoun says, they should go for it.
“It’s such a unique thing you get to do,” she said. “And since while on campus, all equipment is provided for you, it makes it pretty low commitment.”
For beginners, Calhoun recommends not getting obsessed over trying to hit bullseye. Instead, they should try to get groupings of shots or try to make your shots land close together.
“Between accuracy and precision, pick precision. Once that’s done, then adjust from there.”
WANT TO JOIN?
The Biola Archery Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the archery range located between the tennis courts and the softball field, near the Grove. For more information, contact the club at [email protected].
