North Downs Archery Club is a friendly and inclusive club. Members shoot on an informal basis, competing for a number of club trophies every season (See our Trophies page for more details).
Competition rounds shot vary from 2 1/2 dozen arrows to 12 dozen arrows shot over distances of 20yds to 100yds (Imperial rounds) or 18m to 90m (Metric Rounds). Various sizes of target faces are used, depending on the round. We shoot standard World Archery and GB Archery rounds, as well as some of our own design! See our Rounds page for more detailed information on the competition rounds we shoot.
A handicap system is used in some internal competitions to allow experts and novices to compete on an equal basis.
In addition to club trophies, members’ scores are recorded for each standard round shot and classification status is noted to enable badges to be awarded (eg, 3rd class, 2nd class, 1st class or Bowman). We also award a range of other achievement badges, as described in more detail on our Badges and Classification page.
Members are also encouraged, if they wish, to enter local, regional, and national competitions held at various locations around the country. Details of these are regularly sent to the club each year and they offer the opportunity to meet and compete against members from other clubs. Some club members regularly compete, but others prefer to simply shoot with friends and family.
We shoot a variety of target rounds throughout the year, focussing on shorter distances during the winter months and longer distances in the summer months.
The current list of suggested rounds for this year can be found on our Current Rounds page. Anyone wanting to shoot a different round, or just practice at a particular distance can be accommodated at the meet. When setting out the targets, people are asked what distances they would like to shoot, and the bosses are set out to enable everybody to shoot the distances they are comfortable with.