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| Queens Archery Range |
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| By Shauna O’Garro | ||
| March 2011 | ||
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For those of us who never attended day camp, archery is a sport that may have never popped up on our radar. But it’s not too late for anyone who wants to learn to channel his or her inner Legolas (or, in my case, his or her inner Katniss Everdeen—from the wonderful Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins) thanks to the appropriately named Queens Archery Range. Located on an inconspicuous dead-end street lined with auto mechanics, Queens Archery Range provides a haven for urban archery enthusiasts and newbies alike. There is nothing fancy about the range; the walls are cinderblock and a few tables in the back serve as the waiting area. However, as you enter and see people of all ages and colors lined up trying to hit a bullseye or loitering around the front desk discussing which model is better, you understand that what draws people here is the sense of community, not the decor. Al and Martha Lizzio, the couple who own and run the place, are welcoming to beginners and enthusiastic about those who want to learn the sport. “Learning the basics is easy,” Al, a competitive archer, told me when I visited for the first time, “but perfecting it takes a lifetime. Trust me, I’ve been trying for 50 years!” The beginner lesson is $18 and covers a free lesson and equipment rental for one hour. The lesson itself is only about ten minutes, so you have the rest of the time to practice your form. You get to choose between a compound bow (my personal favorite, as it requires less upper body strength) and the more traditional long bow. You would think that the most important part of the lesson is learning to aim and shoot, but safety trumps all. The archery range is small, with several people practicing, so you immediately have to learn the proper stance, the correct way to notch your arrow, how to safely hold the bow, when it’s acceptable to shoot, and when you are allowed to go retrieve your arrows from the target. In the December 2009/January 2010 issue of Natural Selections (number 65), I chronicled my first visit to the Westside Pistol and Rifle Range, and my trepidation about shooting a gun. This wasn’t the case at the archery range. I don’t know why—an arrow can be just as deadly as a bullet. But there is something more peaceful about archery. Perhaps it is the quiet of the range; people talk here and there, but there is no constant crack of gunfire to detract from your focus. There is also something satisfying in slowly taking aim, in feeling your muscles move in sync with the pull of the string before you release the arrow, and in the dull ache in your arms and shoulders after you’re done. Although the archery range can be a bit of a hike to reach, the reward is definitely worth it. I guarantee that you’ll want to stay for longer than the initial hour lesson. And remember: archery is for everyone. Don’t be intimidated! As I left after a couple hours of practice, the owners received a phone call asking if girls were allowed on the range. “Can you believe that?” Al exclaimed. Apparently this kind of call is not uncommon. Just be sure to choose the right type of bow for your stature, and you will be fine. You may not be the next William Tell, but you’ll be sure to have fun. Queens Archery Range |
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