Annie Vainshtein
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Archery usually invokes “Robin Hood,” “Lord of the Rings” and — occasionally — “Princess Diaries 2.” But it’s so much more than that.
For years, Cal Poly students have toyed with the idea of forming an archery club. Now, thanks to two juniors, the idea has become a reality.
As of last week, the Cal Poly Archery Club was officially chartered.
English junior Bailey Satterfield and biology junior Miranda Beaudoin wanted to incorporate archery into their daily lives and thought it would interest others, too.
“It’s something that I really enjoy and would want to teach other people to do because I feel like it’s a fun thing to do,” said Beaudoin, who is level one certified to teach archery and taught it at a summer camp this past summer.
According to Satterfield and Beaudoin, the process to start the club was fairly difficult.
“There have definitely been a lot of hoops to jump through because it’s kind of a risk factor, because, you know, it’s a sport with things that can kill people,” Satterfield said. “So it’s not like badminton club — no offense to badminton club, I hear they’re awesome.”
The sport itself involves more precautionary steps to avoid injury. In order to develop the club and ensure safety measures, Satterfield and Beaudoin had to go through multiple steps, boards and panels, ensuring that all rules would be followed and the practicing space would be safe.
But beyond signed forms and bureaucratic regulations, archery holds a special place in Satterfield’s and Beaudoin’s hearts.
Satterfield got started when she was 16 years old, while Beaudoin started at 10. Beaudoin learned to shoot at Camp Natoma, where she eventually became a teacher.
Archery, which is normally regarded as a fairly niche sport, is also faced with some misconceptions, most of which are perpetuated by commercialized films.
“You see people who make every shot from this really long distance, and while there are people that can do that, it’s not a common thing, and that’s what makes it Hollywood,” Satterfield said.
In reality, archery is not as effortless as Katniss Everdeen makes it seem.
“It’s more focus than athletic ability,” Satterfield said. “It takes a lot of concentration.”
“And precision,” Beaudoin added.
Additionally, the two noted the misconstrued idea surrounding the violence of archery.
“A lot of people may think that it’s aggressive, or that you have to be a hunter or something like that,” Beaudoin said. “Like you’re doing it to shoot people or for hunting — but we just do it recreationally.”
Moreover, what really determines success within the sport is attention to detail. Alignment, footwork and even breathing are of vital importance.
“You have to make sure that everything you’re doing is in alignment and everything will lead to a certain point,” Satterfield said. “Getting the habits down is really important because it’s muscle memory, but all that muscle memory won’t really amount to much if you don’t have that focus.”
Beaudoin has always been drawn to the precision and certainty of the sport.
“You’re doing something that’s slightly dangerous, and it’s kind of a unique thing,” she said. “It’s a really good feeling as you progress, and when you hit your first bull’s-eye, it’s kind of the best feeling.”
Satterfield described it as zen, and Beaudoin described the repetition as “calming.”
The club is still in its beginning stages, but it’s open to any and all who’d like to try it.
“Most of the people I’ve taught had never held a bow before,” Beaudoin said.
The two have received some interest about the club and had their first club meeting on Feb. 27.
Saturdays are the projected date for practices; the two say they are hoping to practice twice a month at the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen Association’s archery range.
Students can find out more about the club from its Facebook page.