Another Comp and Battle Buddies

It's another weekend and another competition.  This time its the Essex Indoor Championship.  It's the last comp for my indoor season before I start preparing for my first outdoor season.

As usual, the day started with a trip to MacD's and then to pick up the TheAgeingArcher (Richard).  Richard was due to shoot in tomorrow's session but weekend public transport was going to let him down.  Instead he generously offered to accompany me to the competition to spot for me.  Trooper! Our destination today was the Sandon School in Chelmsford, Essex.  The journey wasn't too bad.  Approx. 1.5hours from Croydon.  The sports hall we would shoot in wasn't too shabby at all.  A bit smaller compared with some of the halls we have visited this season but still a good place to shoot.

 Not a bad venue at all

 Equipment line ... archery porn!

And this is how many archers there were in my session.  There are some dirty compounders on the right!

Pic courtesy of TheAgeingArcher

The judges at the comp were a bit more lively than some of the ones we have seen in Surrey.  During the assembly the judges lined up either side of the comp organiser.  But whilst he was making various announcement they are proceeded quietly further behind him ... did they know something we didn't?  Also, one of the judges required the use of a belt mounted voice box.  Although it is never appropriate to make fun of anyone for any reason you have got to admit it was different and set the mood for the day :)

This pic taken by Richard is worth it's weight in gold flecks!  It shows I'm leaning my neck to the string, body is leaning and right arm isn't straight!
Pic courtesy of TheAgeingArcher

The comp started badly.  For starters, I did not realise the targets would be set up 4 to a boss.  I would be shooting on the lower left target.  Immediately I had flashbacks of the troubles I had with the triple spots.  the lower target was never my strong point.  My first 6 arrows contained 2x5 and a 6.  I don't normally shoot those colours!  Oh did I mention these were 40cm targets?  Fortunately, with Richard's help I was able to continue battle my way through to 475.  Not bad really.  The last time I shot these targets was in the King's Cup and I only got 470.  I won't lie, I was hoping for more but when you analyse everything ... it's not too bad.  It's only the third time I've used my v-bars, I still have't picked up my practice hours and frankly ... I'm out of shape.  I could tell my string hand was wrong.  Richard could see my bow arm dropping and could hear me plucking the bow.  

Not bad at all

I should mention at this point that Richard was invaluable today for making sure I didn't slump any further.  It would have been too easy to focus on the negative and then dig myself deeper into the black hole.  Instead he was able to provide insight into possible areas of improvement and give the odd word of encouragement.  We've decided that where possible we might be able to spot for each other if we book into separate sessions.  One shoots the early session whilst the other spots and then swap over for the second session.  I like this.  Battle buddies!

And so comes to an end my first season of indoor competition.  And I must admit ... I loved it!  You can read through my previous blog entries to see how the other comps went.  I've made some good friends and I've been to places I wouldn't normally go (Essex hehe!) ... oh and \i had a quick chat with Brady Ellison!

Outdoors here we come!!