ON TARGET; ARCHERS RELY ON SKILL, DISCIPLINE FOR SUCCESS : DRAW THAT BOW.Byline: Shawn M. Bush Special to the Daily News A curvy, tree lined road guides visitors into the canyon. With growing intensity of the morning sun, activity in the Lower Arroyo Seco Arroyo Seco (Spanish: "dry creek") may refer to:
Once home to the Hahamog-na Indians and then under the rule of San Gabriel's mission, the canyon is now home for the Pasadena Roving Archers. Their meeting place is steeped in history older than the sport itself. But like many crafts of ancient origin, archery archery, sport of shooting with bow and arrow, an important military and hunting skill before the introduction of gunpowder. England's Charles II fostered archery as sport, establishing in 1673 the world's oldest continuous archery tournament, the Ancient Scorton requires study, strikes a primal chord and teaches the most basic of principles - focus. Though its moniker (1) A name, title or alias. See alias. (2) A COM object that is used to create instances of other objects. Monikers save programmers time when coding various types of COM-based functions such as linking one document to another (OLE). See COM and OLE. might imply a nomadic See nomadic computing. tendency, the club has been meeting in this spot for 62 years. Committed to the discipline of field archery Field archery involves shooting at targets of varying (and often unmarked) distance, often in rough terrain. One goal of field archery is to improve the technique and abilities required for bowhunting in a more realistic outdoor setting, but without introducing the , the group was the nation's first to take up the almost unknown recreation. It is now practiced world wide. Field archers move from target to target, placed at distances from 11 to 25 yards. Their activity differs from traditional archery in that they do not continually aim at the same bull's eye. Tackling courses with trees, rocks and slopes as obstacles increases the challenge. ``I've been shooting here since 1941. We've had our ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits , but the interest in the last few years is astounding a·stound tr.v. a·stound·ed, a·stound·ing, a·stounds To astonish and bewilder. See Synonyms at surprise. [From Middle English astoned, past participle of astonen, ,'' says Ed Ryman, who has been in the club longer than any other member and recalls training archers in 1938 for ``The Adventures of Robin Hood'' when it was filmed with Errol Flynn in the lead role just down the canyon. Up to 40 archers meet every weekend throughout the year, including holidays. Although there are 28 targets on the Pasadena Roving Archer's course, the real opponent is the archer himself. ``It is a very social sport,'' Ryman said. ``You shoot with your peers, but there is no sport like it. It is really the only one when you're competing against yourself.'' Success lies in form and delivery. ``It has to be done the same way every time. Form is critical. Concentration develops control,'' said Ryman, who visits the range about four times a week, in addition to polishing his skills on a home target. ``If you do not concentrate on the moves, you're not in control.'' It is such discipline that it transcends into a calming state for the archer. ``It helps me relax when I need it,'' said Patrick Barjam, who received his instructors certification from the club. ``When I start thinking, my shots go bad. The moment my mind clears, the shots are on. That may sound zen or whatever, but it is indescribable.'' Barjam believes one the intriguing aspects of the Pasadena Roving Archers is the environment. ``They have this huge field where you can do archery in a natural setting, hidden among trees. There is also the 3-D range where you can shoot at plastic deer,'' he said. The organization offers free lessons to anyone who wants to learn. It supplies equipment to introduce newcomers to the pastime and attracts dozens of participants every weekend. Lessons provide the skills for basic archery. From there, visitors can decide whether they want to join the club and invest in equipment. Mike Jenkins, instruction coordinator for the group, has worked with everyone from beginners to Olympic-caliber archers. ``The first thing I noticed was how much everyone loves the sport,'' he said of the club. ``They all want to share the sport with no strings attached. It isn't a closed structure; there are open arms for everyone.'' Jenkins was introduced to archery by his wife. ``I'm not sure if she knew what kind of animal she was creating, but the more I got involved, the more I learned,'' he said. ``It is a great way to escape the hustle hus·tle v. hus·tled, hus·tling, hus·tles v.tr. 1. To jostle or shove roughly. 2. To convey in a hurried or rough manner: hustled the prisoner into a van. and bustle bus·tle 1 intr. & tr.v. bus·tled, bus·tling, bus·tles To move or cause to move energetically and busily. n. Excited and often noisy activity; a stir. of the regular world.'' Craig Fritz of the Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by Archers agreed. ``The whole principle of archery is based on relaxing. The best shooters have absolutely no tension at all,'' Fritz said. ``They say it is 90 percent mental and 10 percent physical. Anyone can shoot archery.'' ``It is the only sport considered a family sport where the whole family really participates,'' he said. Area clubs regularly get together for competition and socializing. The Pasadena Roving Archers instructs visitors as young as 10; older members keep in practice for the benefits. ``I'm 80 years old and my doctor insists I keep it up,'' said Ryman, whose poise and firm handshake handshake - handshaking are a testament to a healthy life and focused mind. Conejo Valley Archers: (805) 492-0859 or (818) 498-8661; range is in Camarillo off Lewis Road, near Camarillo State Hospital. A new range will open this month in Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. . Malibu Mountain Archers: (818) 366-1055; range is at 5656 Latigo Canyon Road in Malibu. Pasadena Roving Archers: (818) 792-6808 or (818) 447-7600; range is at Pasadena's Lower Arroyo Park. Valley West Archery Club: (805) 296-6584; range is on Rye Canyon Road in Valencia. Only broadhead range in Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, . Verdugo Hills Archers: (818) 353-8234; range is off Big Tujunga Road in Sunland. Archery classes for all experience levels are offered at Woodley Park Woodley Park refers to the following:
CAPTION(S): 3 Photos, Box Photo: (1-2-3--color) Archery has become very popular with the Pasadena Roving Archers. Vice president Winfred Chin, left, (center photo) and David Dolbee score a 3-A target at the range. The two archers aim for a target (lower photo). Foam animals are often used as targets (lower right). David Sprague / Daily News Box: DRAW THAT BOW (see text) |
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