Our next beginners courses will be starting in May 2024. Please contact us for details. secretary@crystalpalacebowmen.org.uk
Application form: (PDF), (Word).
The application form asks for details such as your height and left or right handed, we need to know this to make sure we have the right equipment, such as bow size and length of arrows for you.
Our beginners courses are staffed by qualified coaches helped by a number of senior club members all of whom are DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checked. This means that usually there is a ratio of one coach to two archers, more often one to one help is available. Shooting and training takes place under supervision and to the ArcheryGB rules so we are fully covered by third party insurance.
We provide all the equipment you will need and ensure that the equipment is suited to your personal physique and as the course goes on we can change the equipment as required. This range of equipment also means that we can cater for the majority of potential archers.
The Tuesday course starts at 6:30pm on the first evening; thereafter practice starts from about 6pm, (usually there will be members setting up before that) with tuition until it starts to get dark. On Sundays the course would start at around 1pm. There will be a charge of £80 for the full course. This covers use of the equipment required as well as coaching and insurance etc.
Archery usually takes place in any weather unless there is lightning. So as well as bows and arrows archers in the UK need a lot of waterproof wet weather clothing and a big tent. As a beginner we don't expect you to have all that. If the weather is bad on any evening we will not expect you to shoot, and we will run an extra sessions at the end.
Minimum age 10 years. Juniors on the course must be accompanied by their parent / guardian at all times. No maximum age, level access of less than 50m from the car park to the range, but there is no wheelchair access to the toilets in the OD's clubhouse.
By the time you have completed the six sessions you should be able to shoot, score, erect targets and be at a level where you can join any club (not just our club!!) and we will give you a certificate to prove it!
If you are interested in the course but not sure then pop down and see us at the range any Sunday (see the home page for times) or Tuesday evening from April. We can then answer any questions you may have.
The venue is the Old Dunstonian's sports ground, postcode BR3 3SS. Which is best reached by turning into St. Dunstans Lane from Wickham Way. Please note: there is no vehicular access from South Eden Park Road through Langley Park School, however it's possible to walk that way from Eden Park Station. Also the 352 bus passes along Wickham Way, athough getting it to stop near St. Dunstans Lane takes practice.
We would suggest that you bring the following with you when taking part:-
ArcheryGB