IFAF National Championships 2015.

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This weekend over two days the IFAF National Championships took place in Woodville House, New Ross, Co. Wexford, hosted by Wexford Archery.



Entry was open to all Irish archery organisations and archers were present from Wexford Archery, Warbow, Enniscorthy Archery Club , Wicklow Archers, Cork City archers, Valley Bowmen, Na Laoch Dall, South East Archers, Mayo Archery Club as well as representatives from the NIFAA.





The Championship is a two day 3D shoot of 28 targets each day, marked the first and unmarked the second day. Max distance for adults is 60 yards or 55m (approx.) and as such it dovetails nicely with WA field unmarked distances but distances are greater than WA3D. Pegs were available for Cubs, Juniors and Adults.

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Targets are arranged into four groups by size and the range of distances the target is shot at is set by the group it's in. The target's group number is given at the number peg so you've some idea of where to start in your distance estimation. Up to three arrows could be shot at each target. The first scoring arrow is the one that counted. Arrows are numbered and shot in order but if you're not sure you've got a scoring hit then you shoot another to the max of three. The target is scored as either a kill (heart or lung shot), wound (body shot minus flippers,z feathers, hooves and horns) and the exact score is higher the sooner you hit.



Despite scary forecasts the weather both days was pleasant enough with a mix of sunshine, cloudy periods and light showers. The rain of the evening and night in-between was nicely timed and footing wasn't badly compromised.The winds influence was mainly confined to the targets located in the open areas where the lack of features also made distance judgement tricky.

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Targets were positioned down long lanes between rows of trees, across tricky side-slopes and down-hill. All require careful consideration so as to get your stance correct and ensure your bow is not canted with the slope.







A mix of bow types were in action, from English Longbow to American Flatbows, Barebows to Hunting bows, and of course, compounds. There were even some Japanese Yumi bows. As groups are often mixed it offers a great opportunity to see other styles in action and ask questions.Each bow style tends to have it's own shooting style too from the the very methodical and calculated shooting precision of the compound archer to the assured workmanlike style of the instinctive longbow archer. Barebow, bowhunter and recurve being in-between.


Bowhunter:




American Flatbow ('Longbow'):



Compound:



As ever there was time to talk and catch up on chat since the last shoot. The social side of archery.

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A nice feature of both days was a Popinjay pole organised by John Shiels, where archers shot a wooden training bow with blunt arrows was used to shoot at balloons up a flag pole. This form of archery simulates shooting at birds in trees and is more common on the continent. It's good to see all forms of archery being tried out.







Photographs courtesy of Mayo Archery Club, Stephen Kestell and Jane Langley.

Genghis Cant

Was it open to SIFA members do you know?

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It was.
http://ifaf.ie/wordpress/ifaf-national-champs/

Lardy

Genghis Cant wrote: »

Was it open to SIFA members do you know?

Pretty sure all IFAF shoots are open to SIFA. Just can't be awarded medals or gains/ records.

Gutted I had to work the weekend! At least I'm off for the Dunbrody 100 though!

Genghis Cant

I could have travelled so. Looked like a great weekend. I did however get to go to Cavan and had a good day out.
Dunbrody 100 should be great. I'm looking forward to it!