Archery—the enchanting interplay of focus, skill, and the satisfying flight of an arrow—often begins as a source of pure joy. Yet, for many, that joy can fade under the weight of competitive rules and expectations. My own journey with archery has been a testament to both the challenges and the rediscovery of what truly makes this sport special. Let me take you through my story and how I found my way back to the essence of archery: freedom, creativity, and fun.

From Longbow to Target Panic

I started my archery journey with the longbow. Its simplicity and connection to tradition captivated me. But within a few months, I transitioned to traditional recurve and poured myself into training. Over the years, my dedication earned me several district medals, but it also came with a heavy cost: debilitating target panic. Seeking a new direction, I switched to Olympic-style recurve. This change revitalized my competitive spirit, and I eventually took home a team gold medal at the Swedish 3D Championship. Yet, even with these achievements, something was missing—the joy.

Rediscovering the Fun

Determined to rekindle the spark, I returned to my traditional roots. I began with a longbow and a fantastic Turkish Végh bow, hoping to find freedom in simplicity. While the longbow didn’t quite reignite my passion, the horsebow did. It was raw and unencumbered—just me and the bow. I soon traded my Végh Turkish bow for a Végh Buryat bow, and suddenly, the joy came rushing back. I felt liberated.

Today, I shoot three very different bows: my Black Widow Longbow, a Végh Chinese bow, and a Hoyt Satori traditional bow. The Satori is, without question, the most enjoyable bow I’ve ever shot. It’s like the perfect union of a traditional bow and an Olympic recurve. But here’s the catch: the Satori isn’t WA-compliant for competition. My brain, still tethered to competitive rules, often struggles to fully embrace shooting it. And that’s where the deeper issue lies—why should I feel guilty for loving something that brings me so much joy?

Breaking Free from the Rulebook

Archery is so much more than competition. To rediscover its joy, I had to step outside the rulebook. Here are a few things that worked for me:

1. Experimenting with Bows: Trying different styles of bows transformed my perspective. Each bow brings its own challenges and pleasures, and exploring them can reignite curiosity.
2. Unconventional Targets: Shooting at balloons, fruit, or even themed paper targets—like medieval knights—added a playful element to practice sessions.
3. Creating New Games: Informal challenges, like timed target hits or unconventional shooting positions, brought laughter and camaraderie back to the range.
4. Exploring History: Learning and practicing historical techniques, like the thumb draw used in Eastern archery, connected me with the sport’s rich traditions and rekindled my excitement.

Embracing Imperfection

The most liberating part of stepping away from competition is letting go of imagined perfection. Some of my most memorable moments in archery have been unexpected—a bullseye hit from an awkward position or a casual session in the woods where technique gave way to instinct. These moments reminded me that the heart of archery lies not in scores but in the joy of the shot.

Rethinking the Focus on Competition

While competitions can be fulfilling, they shouldn’t define the entire archery experience. By forcing beginners and club members into the competitive framework, we risk alienating those who might thrive in a more relaxed, expressive environment. I firmly believe that archers should be encouraged to shoot with the equipment that brings them the most joy, whether or not it aligns with competition rules.

For me, this realization has been both freeing and challenging. It’s not easy to break free from years of conditioning, but the reward is worth it: a renewed love for the sport.

Reconnecting with Why We Shoot

Archery is, at its core, a personal journey. For some, it’s about precision and competition. For others, it’s about connection—to history, nature, or oneself. Whatever your reason, give yourself permission to explore archery on your own terms.

So, next time you pick up your bow, ask yourself: What would make this session truly enjoyable? And then do exactly that. Because at the end of the day, archery isn’t just about hitting the target; it’s about the journey that gets you there.