Information about our Courses
Evening Beginners Courses
When will the next course start?
We run courses in the summer season - usually between Easter and September. Our next course will start after Easter 2012.
Why don't we run courses between September and Easter?
We run our courses outside at our club ground in East Finchley. By September the nights are drawing in and by the time people have got from their place of work to the club there is insufficient light to shoot safely. We have an indoor venue over the autumn/winter months, but it is usually used to capacity by club members shooting in winter competitions and we don't have room to run courses as well. Please contact us for further information.
What does the course consist of?
The course is spread over 3 or 4 consecutive weeks, subject to light and weather conditions.
Courses usually take place on Wednesday evenings. Start times are 6pm for juniors and 7pm for adults.
How much does it cost?
The course cost is under review at the moment. When agreed, the fee will include insurance and equipment hire. All club fees are subject to review and ratification at the club AGM every March. Last years fees were £50 for seniors and £35 for juniors - but we anticipate that we will need to increase the fees this year as our costs have risen considerably.
How do I enrol on a course?
Because of high demand in recent years you will need to register in advance. You will be asked to pay for the course in full before the start date. Contact us to register.
For more detailed information on the courses and club membership, see below.
Further beginners course information
Tuition
The lessons will provide instruction and supervised practice in the basic technique of the sport of archery – modern recurve bows and longbows only. All equipment is supplied and beginners are strongly advised not to purchase any equipment before the course.
Adults
Lessons are normally on Wednesday evenings from 7.00 pm onwards. Once the evenings lengthen the start time will be 7.15pm. Please try and attend all the sessions and tell the coaches if you are unable to attend.
Juniors
Junior Archery is encouraged at the Club (minimum age 8 years) but certain restrictions do apply for safety and insurance purposes.
The junior course usually runs from 6.00pm to 7.00pm on Wednesday evenings (moving to 6.15pm start once evenings lengthen).
For children under 16 at least one parent or legal guardian must attend for the duration of the training session.
Weather
In damp or drizzle we carry on regardless, if it is pouring with rain then the lesson will be postponed to the following week. In the event of the lesson being interrupted by adverse weather then you will receive an extra lesson in lieu.
Clothing
Correct upper body clothing is very important, especially a tight fitting top. In cold weather a thermal vest under a tight top is ideal. No baggy sleeves, neckwear, bulky or loose clothing as the bowstring will catch and ruin the "shot". In warmer weather polo shirts are ideal. It does get cold during the spring/autumn evenings so bring layers to keep warm. A soft brimmed hat is also a good idea.
After completion of the course:
Club Membership
On completion of your course we hope that you will decide to join the Club in which case you will need to pay the club membership fee. Current membership fees are listed here.
After a 3-month probation period, membership entitles an adult to purchase club keys and to use the Club facilities 7 days a week. Juniors can normally shoot on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings or any other time by arrangement. Juniors have to be supervised by an adult archer at all times for safety and insurance purposes.
On joining the Club you are strongly encouraged to join our members-only internet group where you can read lots of information about the club and its activities, download useful documents and tournament entry forms, and discuss archery with fellow members. It is the main focus of communication and information for club members.
Club membership includes affiliation fees (and insurance) to Archery GB (also known as the Grand National Archery Society (GNAS), Southern Counties Archery Society and the Middlesex County Archery Association. Membership of GNAS entitles you to shoot anywhere in this country or abroad at recognised archery venues covered by GNAS or FITA (The International Archery body). You will also receive Archery UK, a quarterly magazine carrying lots of information, news and lists of competitions.
The "GNAS Rules of Shooting" can be downloaded from the GNAS website and it is highly recommended that you peruse a copy.
The Club operates the GNAS handicap and Classification scheme through our Club Records Officer. High scores lead to selection for Club teams, County teams and even National Squads and teams. You can read more about these schemes in the "GNAS Admin Procedures document" which can be downloaded from the GNAS website.
Please note that Aquarius is a GNAS/FITA target archery club for recurve and longbow only. However instruction in other forms of archery is available i.e. Field and Clout. We do not allow the use of crossbows or compound bows at the Club for safety reasons.
Equipment
Once you have completed your beginners course and joined the Club you will be encouraged to purchase your own equipment from a recommended dealer. Expect to pay at least £150.00 minimum for a basic kit of recurve bow, arrows, sight, pressure button, or a basic longbow. You will be given advice on what equipment you should buy and what will suit you best.
Improver Training
Training continues once you have joined the club - we offer "improver" training on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. There is no additional charge for this. Continued coaching is available free of charge from any of the Club coaches - other than Wednesdays, when it is always busy.
Competition shooting
The Club has an Aquarius team shirt in blue and yellow which you can purchase if you wish to wear it to tournaments along with other Club members. Otherwise bottle green or white clothing are the traditional archery colours for competition shooting. There are many competitions you can enter - for instance, the Club enters various postal and County league competitions. Clubs in the South East hold many open tournaments and our members travel to many of these.
Indoor Shooting
The Club hires the Barnet TA centre on Monday evenings during the winter for indoor practice and competitions. In 2011/12 the cost is £5 an evening 7.30-10.30pm.
For further details please contact us, or ring our club secretary Alan Lake on 020 8440 1558.