The True Path?

Itook my first tentative steps into archery [gets pipe, slippers…] on a beginner’s course in a chilly hall in North London many moons ago. A few lessons in, gingerly holding our Samick Polaris trainer bows, I remember one novice was decidedly unkeen on the sight that had now been added to the riser. “We’ve got a barebower!” said the coach to the entire hall. On the other end of the line, Cliff Capps, that well-known doyen of the London archery scene, said (after a suitably dramatic pause): “Welcome to the true path.”

It got a laugh, but he had a point. If archery is a calling, barebow is a mystical quest. It’s essentially a syncretic skill, fusing traditional archery with all the modern developments in materials and technology that the sport has enjoyed. More than anything, it is a side of the sport that embraces community and has recently risen along with digital technology and social media. Most of the major stars gather on the same Facebook group and are willing to answer questions and help those just starting out. It’s as if you’d just taken up road cycling and found Tadej Pogačar, Chris Froome and Peter Sagan willing to listen and offer advice.

Systemic changes in governance have made a difference, with barebow now officially being added to World Archery rules, enabling world records to be shot and recognised. Barebow, long thriving in the field and 3D disciplines, now looks as if it is going to become a growing target sport; it was recently added to the bill at the Pan-american Championships, with archers shooting a full-size face at 50m rather than 70m. It was also an official category at the remote Indoor World Championships. These changes will make a big difference further down the line.

In an era of shrinking NGB numbers, the worldwide interest in barebow is one of the success stories. Barebow just doesn’t feel the need to shout about it. (Special thanks to Kristina Dolgilevica of Third Eye Archery for her extensive contributions to this issue.)

See you on the barebow line,