By Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times

Archery, a once stodgy sport, suddenly becomes popular, boosted by the debut of the hit trilogy that stars a heroine wielding a bow and arrow.

Archery had long been relegated to the realm of men in tights, apples atop heads and junior high summer camp.

Then came “The Hunger Games.”

The hit young-adult trilogy debuted in 2008, starring a heroine in a post-apocalyptic future who wields a bow and arrow to survive in gladiator-style contests. Key to the plots are several of Katniss Everdeen’s dramatic shots and the increasingly advanced designs of her bows and arrows (including explosive shafts), as well as the rebellious symbolism of her archery skills.

The highly anticipated film adaptation opens Friday and has already broken the record for first-day advanced ticket sales set earlier by teen favorite “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.”

The archery industry is among the beneficiaries of “Hunger Games” mania, attracting new fans such as Aldrin Gamos, 23, of Northridge.

“In our world, archery isn’t something you’d really need day to day,” Gamos said, “but the way it’s described in the books made it sound so cool.”

Gamos usually spends his recreational time playing video games or in front of his computer, but is now so enamored with the “Hunger Games” books that he’s organizing his friends for a group visit to a shooting range in Los Angeles.

“Before, I knew that it had existed,” he said of archery, “but had no interest at all.”

Ranges that used to attract just a handful of hobbyists are now crowded with would-be Katnisses and Robin Hoods. Requests for archery lessons for birthday parties have increased. At some free beginner classes held weekly by clubs around the region, such as the Pasadena Roving Archers, participants read “The Hunger Games” while patiently waiting to be suited up with arm guards and finger tabs.

“Normally, attendance fluctuates throughout the year, with fewer people in the colder months,” said Gary Spiers, president of the Pasadena club, which has used the same outdoor range near the Rose Bowl since 1935. “There would have been empty spots.

“But this year, there’s been consistently high interest. We’ve had to turn people away.”

Sales of archery equipment have increased more than 20% in the last year, according to figures provided by the Archery Trade Assn., and at the group’s annual show in January there were 20% more exhibitors. Representatives of some major athletic companies, including clothier Under Armour, were spotted perusing the show.

But even before the “Hunger Games” movie, Hollywood was pushing the new wave of archery popularity. The character Legolas, played by heartthrob Orlando Bloom in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, carried a bow and arrow, as did aliens in “Avatar” and characters in lesser successes inspired by Greek mythology: “The Lightning Thief,” “The Immortals” and “Clash of the Titans.”

And coming up: Pixar’s animated “Brave” and comic-based “Avengers,” both of which have main characters who are archers.

“The movie industry has definitely had an impact on us,” said Joe Kim, owner of Hi-Tech Archery in Fullerton. “It seems like Hollywood is very intrigued these days with the bow and arrow.”

Archery ranges like Kim’s, which would feel like a warehouse if not for the massive stuffed and mounted bison and deer heads, are busier than ever. Cypress resident Mary Robbins, 19, was there practicing this week with her father, who introduced her to the sport.

Read the article here…

I go to Predators in Gilroy because I know the guys who own and run the shop, I like their equipment, and they usually have what I need.  It’s nice to be around people who understand and relate to what you’re doing and are extremely knowledgeable, not just about the gear, but also about what’s going on in our local, national, and even international archery scene.  So, although it’s out-of-the-way, I always enjoy days when I find reason to go to my “local” archery shop.

There were side yards and small to medium-sized open fields, and even a fenced-in tennis court.  To my eye, each could safely be used to practice archery, with just a few common-sense adaptations to keep everyone safe while arrows were being responsibly launched at fixed targets. 

Not surprisingly, not a single archery range was to be found (in the whole valley!).  Okay, while I didn’t walk the entire valley, it did bring to mind the question, “Why isn’t any archery going on here and, for that matter, in most other places?”  Is it due to a lack of popularity and, if so, why isn’t archery more popular? 

I’m convinced it’s a matter of perception.  Generally speaking, people think archery is a dangerous activity.  I understand the perception, of course.  Archery most definitely has its roots in hunting and warfare and, although it’s now an Olympic sport with thousands of kids participating in Junior Olympic Archery development (JOAD) programs around the country, I think most people can’t shake the notion that a pointy stick flying through the air will, sooner or later, end up hurting some innocent living thing, intentionally or not.  I’ve heard people say things like, “You don’t want arrows being shot around here! What if some stray arrow flies off and kills someone?”  Immediately, three  thoughts come to mind: 

1.  What ”stray” arrows?  Archery and archers are about accuracy and hitting a relatively small, intended target precisely.  Having played a lot of baseball, I know the same cannot be said about a batted ball and, yet, I don’t hear people expressing concern about “stray” baseballs flying off from the school yard.  

2.  The fact is, the front end of a target arrow is not really all that sharp.  In many cases, the rear end of the arrow (or, nock) presents a greater threat.

3.  When was the last time you heard about an injury due to archery as compared to so many other commonly practiced sports, including baseball, football, basketball, and even swimming? 

I’m not saying we should hand out bows and arrows to every kid wandering the street, but I really don’t see much of a problem with some responsible archery practice in suitable places around the neighborhood.   Responsible, instructional archery programs teach the three S’s: Safety, Success, and Self-esteem.  I think the sport of archery needs a little positive PR program and I think it’s about time I get started doing just that!  It’s time to adjust and reconcile the public image of what we archers do with what we actually do.

Like in all sports, there is appropriate behavior when things go well, but also when things don’t. The issue is to figure out what that looks like for each of us.

What DOES sportsmanship look like in archery? I think it would be good for each of our archers to give this question some thought. Remember, your performance is not really affected by anyone else’s performance. Only you can determine where your next shot goes. We all make mistakes and we all get it “right” sometimes. This is one of the things I like best about the sport of archery. We can all be “winners” without having to “beat” someone else. Sure, you may not always score the most points, but does that mean your performance was bad or not good enough? I don’t think so. We should always try to do our best and, if we do, that’s a “win.” You keep shooting your personal best score each time you go out and, sooner or later, you will get that top score!

I believe sportsmanship needs to be practiced in order for us to become good at it, just like anything else. So, next time you’re at practice and you see someone make a good shot, say, “nice shot” and feel good about it. After all, you know how hard that is to do and I believe the better you feel about the other person’s shooting, the better you’ll shoot, too!

Good shooters like to hang-out together and they help each other shoot better. In that way, we can all be good sportsmen & sportswomen and enjoy our sport every time we practice or compete!

Think it’s out of YOUR reach? Think, again! Alyssa, who shot with us in the summer of 2010 at Stevens Creek Park,  made the National “Dream Team” in November 2010! The Junior Dream Team (JDT) is a program that was developed to bridge the gap between JOAD and the Resident Athlete Program in an effort to fast track those archers who show early potential. Selection is limited to athletes between the ages of 12 and 18. The Junior Dream Team consists of 24 of the most promising junior and cadet Olympic style archers in the country. And now, Alyssa has joined the group and completed her first JDT Camp just last week in Colorado Springs. I spoke with her mother and she said, “Alyssa had a great time at camp even though they work them hard. Wishing your kids the best!”

Could you be the next JDT member? I believe you can! Just do your best at practice and remember Coach Kisik Lee’s best advice for new archers is to be very patient and work hard on learning the proper technical aspects of the sport.

“If you aim to reach Olympic level, you must learn well from the first day. Most people instantly enjoy the thrill of hitting the target too much. This is not good for the long term. If you want to be a good archer, you must be patient and try to get more structure and technique first.”

Do this and you may find something “amazing” awaits you in archery