Yesterday, I went to my first RBA three gun match. I did not go to shoot, just to observe. I went with Kimberly, who has been shooting RBA and IR 50/50 all spring. Because it was a regional match with the weather predicted to be in the 60s with clear skies, I expected to see a greater turn out than the 10-12 shooters who Kimberly says have competed at this year's local matches so far.
While the weather did turn out well, I was quite surprised to see only eight competitors, including Kimberly for the entire competition. I also noticed only Kimberly appeared to be under 60 years of age, with the average age probably over 70, due to several shooters obviously in their 80s. Kimberly said these are eight of the same shooters who have been showing up at all of the local matches.
One incident, after the shooting had finished, disturbed me a bit. A guy appearing to be in his 50s walked up and introduced himself as an experienced pistol shooter interested in getting into 22 benchrest competition. He started with the usual first question, "what do I need to get started in this sport." The only reply he got was, "lots of cash." Then everyone ignored him and went back to talking among themselves.
Because one long time competitor was leaving the sport and selling his rifles, there were two sporters and one unlimited gun sitting out for sale. One reason I was there was to look at the rifles that were for sale, as I am also considering getting into the sport. Rather than leave the new guy hanging, I took him aside and showed him the for sale rifles and gave him a run down on what I know about the sport.
Do you see anything wrong with this story? I do. With only eight shooters showing up for the regional match, you would think the old timers would have been eager to bring a new shooter into the sport. The fact that all of the competitors were of retirement age suggests a dying sport. Why was I the only person willing to take the time to encourage the guy?
By the way, compared to motorcycling, playing music, auto racing and other activities that I and my family have pursued, competition shooting is not particularly expensive. I have spent over $20,000 on a single motorcycle (while owning four others at the same time) and $4,000 for a mid priced pedal steel guitar. I can't even imagine what kind of money my Dad spent on his race cars over the years, not to mention his collection of antique cars after he quit racing. Keep in mind that we are working class, not rich people. So saying, "you need lots of cash to get into the sport," is a bit vague and counter productive if you want to recruit new competitors to the sport.
In another thread I started, I commented about the inability to find any organized competition where you could show up with only one rifle and shoot against fair competition with the single rifle scores tallied and listed in the national listings. While I accept and understand any organization's right and need to set rules and standards it seems to me that you would want to create a system of rules and standards that encourage new competitors to give it a try. Finally, how could the eight shooters at a regional match fail to take the time to talk to a prospective new member?
While the weather did turn out well, I was quite surprised to see only eight competitors, including Kimberly for the entire competition. I also noticed only Kimberly appeared to be under 60 years of age, with the average age probably over 70, due to several shooters obviously in their 80s. Kimberly said these are eight of the same shooters who have been showing up at all of the local matches.
One incident, after the shooting had finished, disturbed me a bit. A guy appearing to be in his 50s walked up and introduced himself as an experienced pistol shooter interested in getting into 22 benchrest competition. He started with the usual first question, "what do I need to get started in this sport." The only reply he got was, "lots of cash." Then everyone ignored him and went back to talking among themselves.
Because one long time competitor was leaving the sport and selling his rifles, there were two sporters and one unlimited gun sitting out for sale. One reason I was there was to look at the rifles that were for sale, as I am also considering getting into the sport. Rather than leave the new guy hanging, I took him aside and showed him the for sale rifles and gave him a run down on what I know about the sport.
Do you see anything wrong with this story? I do. With only eight shooters showing up for the regional match, you would think the old timers would have been eager to bring a new shooter into the sport. The fact that all of the competitors were of retirement age suggests a dying sport. Why was I the only person willing to take the time to encourage the guy?
By the way, compared to motorcycling, playing music, auto racing and other activities that I and my family have pursued, competition shooting is not particularly expensive. I have spent over $20,000 on a single motorcycle (while owning four others at the same time) and $4,000 for a mid priced pedal steel guitar. I can't even imagine what kind of money my Dad spent on his race cars over the years, not to mention his collection of antique cars after he quit racing. Keep in mind that we are working class, not rich people. So saying, "you need lots of cash to get into the sport," is a bit vague and counter productive if you want to recruit new competitors to the sport.
In another thread I started, I commented about the inability to find any organized competition where you could show up with only one rifle and shoot against fair competition with the single rifle scores tallied and listed in the national listings. While I accept and understand any organization's right and need to set rules and standards it seems to me that you would want to create a system of rules and standards that encourage new competitors to give it a try. Finally, how could the eight shooters at a regional match fail to take the time to talk to a prospective new member?
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