If you’re a fan of Robin Hood, Legolas, Cupid, Sagittarians, medieval warfare, or if you ever just plain wondered what it’s like to shoot a bow and arrow, you should sign up for a free lesson at the Rancho Park Archery Range. I did, and I discovered two things: 1.) I’m left-eye dominant (according to Oliver, the instructor). 2.) I am terrible at archery. I did have a really fun time though; I just had trouble keeping the arrow from falling off whenever I drew the string. Imagine that happening in battle…
Free lessons are held every Saturday from 11am or the second Sunday of each month at 1:30pm, and they include a whole lot of safety tips, but be a little patient and pay attention. The Rancho Park Archery Range is the only free, public range in L.A. and they’ve never had an accident, so don’t blow their record.
Then you can go back and shoot in the Open Shooting Times on Saturdays 9:30am to noon and Sundays from noon to 3:30pm. Be advised, these are somewhat high-tech bows with adjustable sights, and you will not be holding them in a manner that looks like anything you’ve seen in the movies. (Your hand holding the string goes under your chin and the string actually touches your chin. I’m pretty sure Kevin Costner had it over by his ear?)
Also, sadly, no one will be splitting any arrows because they’re made of aluminum.
Photo by johnmuk courtesy of flickr’s creative commons.
I was really good at archery in camp, maybe I could do this. Of course I also used to be good at ice skating and double dutch jumprope…
Ooh! I know there’s one in the Pasadena Arroyo, but I don’t know much about it. I’ve always wanted to shoot arrows after I saw the picture of Anita Ekberg with her quiver a-ready for the paparazzi.