Do You Know If Your Mission Is On Target?

Getting his hands on a bow and arrows for the first time taught Director of Training Dave Newton how tough it can be to keep your eye on the actual target.

- Dave Newton

In my late teens, between finishing school and starting college, I spent a number of months working as an outdoor activity instructor. I arrived for my four-week intensive training in a range of activities: from the predictable climbing, canoeing and abseiling to some of the more unusual activities like foil fencing and land sailing.

I tend to enjoy most active sports, generally being able to adapt to most things, but when it came to archery things didn’t work out quite so well.

I remember starting out OK as I held this lethal arrow in one hand and the bow that provided me with the ability to propel it in the other. I took my stance, guided by the instructor, and drew back the string.

Holding still, fingers poised, taking my aim, I released to see the arrow land right in the centre of the target. Before I had a moment to feel the pride rising up inside, and consider changing my name to Robin, I was informed ‘that was your metre practice shot, now it’s time to move back behind the line’.