A compound bow such as this one has extra strings, cables and cams on the end of the limbs. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
A compound bow such as this one has extra strings, cables and cams on the end of the limbs. All photos: Victor Besa / The National
The limbs are the upper and lower parts of the bow that bend when the string is drawn back. The limbs store the energy when the bow is held at full draw
The limbs are the upper and lower parts of the bow that bend when the string is drawn back. The limbs store the energy when the bow is held at full draw
Archery appeals to children and adults alike and people can start at any age
Archery appeals to children and adults alike and people can start at any age
Recurve bow sights are adjustable, lightweight and resilient to the shocks of the shot. A range of sighting pins and apertures are available
Recurve bow sights are adjustable, lightweight and resilient to the shocks of the shot. A range of sighting pins and apertures are available
The anchor point is a spot on the archer's face against which the drawing hand is placed to stabilise he aim before releasing the arrow
The anchor point is a spot on the archer's face against which the drawing hand is placed to stabilise he aim before releasing the arrow
The nocking point on a bow is a piece of plastic or metal that keeps the arrow in place on the string
The nocking point on a bow is a piece of plastic or metal that keeps the arrow in place on the string
Former UAE national team head coach Rao Berenjian of D'Archers gives CJ Utanes her first fundamentals in archery
Former UAE national team head coach Rao Berenjian of D'Archers gives CJ Utanes her first fundamentals in archery
In Olympic archery, competitors use recurve bows that draw an average of 22kg for men and 15kg for women
In Olympic archery, competitors use recurve bows that draw an average of 22kg for men and 15kg for women
D'Archers club instructor Toby Jacob checks the alignment of an arrow. He has taught more than 500 archers over a period of eight years
D'Archers club instructor Toby Jacob checks the alignment of an arrow. He has taught more than 500 archers over a period of eight years
Niila Kauppi, 13, started archery in his garden when he was five, using a wooden stick bow made by his grandfather. Three years later he got his first real bow
Niila Kauppi, 13, started archery in his garden when he was five, using a wooden stick bow made by his grandfather. Three years later he got his first real bow
Vedhas Somasi, 10, first tried archery in March 2022 when he visited Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. He has since competed in the under-12 age bracket
Vedhas Somasi, 10, first tried archery in March 2022 when he visited Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. He has since competed in the under-12 age bracket
Hooking the string is placing your fingers around the bowstring, and three under is the practice of placing three fingers under the nock of the arrow
Hooking the string is placing your fingers around the bowstring, and three under is the practice of placing three fingers under the nock of the arrow
A bracer is a strap or sheath of leather, stone or plastic that covers the ventral surface of an archer's bow-holding arm
A bracer is a strap or sheath of leather, stone or plastic that covers the ventral surface of an archer's bow-holding arm
Novice archers start with targets three to five metres away and gradually move farther as they progress
Novice archers start with targets three to five metres away and gradually move farther as they progress
A finger tab is a small leather or synthetic patch to protect an archer's fingers from the bowstring
A finger tab is a small leather or synthetic patch to protect an archer's fingers from the bowstring
Fletching on an arrow shaft stabilises it during flight by causing it to spin as it leaves the bow
Fletching on an arrow shaft stabilises it during flight by causing it to spin as it leaves the bow

Weekend

Photo essay: Recurve archery in Sharjah hits the bull’s eye

The D'Archers club provides a comprehensive insight into the early fundamentals of the sport

Farah Andrews
Victor Besa

January 20, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

As with many new hobbies, with archery comes a glossary of terms to learn and familiarise yourself with as you progress in the sport.

From the limbs of the bow and anchor points, to cables and cams, stabilisers, shafts and sights, archery feels like it has a language of its own for budding marksmen to learn.

Click through the gallery above to see a comprehensive insight into the early fundamentals of recurve archery

D'Archers, formerly known as the Dubai Archers, have ranges at the Sharjah Wonderers Golf Club, and offer a comprehensive introduction to recurve archery.

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The club has been running for more than 20 years, offering one-on-one tuition and group sessions. One of the co-founders of D'Archers, coach Rao Berenjian, has been teaching the sport for more than 20 years and is now the head coach of the UAE national team.

It's never too late, or early, to pick up the sport, with distances adjusted according to skill. In Olympic archery, competitors use recurve bows that draw an average of 22kg for men and 15kg for women, but novice archers start with a lower weight, usually about 6kg and gradually work their way up depending on their muscle memory and upper body strength or draw weight.

More on this story:
RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Alareeq, Connor Beasley, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m 
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: SS Jalmod, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 1,600m
Winner: Trolius, Ryan Powell, Simon Crisford

KEY%20DATES%20IN%20AMAZON'S%20HISTORY
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Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

'Avengers: Infinity War'
Dir: The Russo Brothers
Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Robert Downey Junior, Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen
Four stars

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)

RESULT

Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 0 Al Ain 6
Al Ain: Caio (5', 73'), El Shahat (10'), Berg (65'), Khalil (83'), Al Ahbabi (90' 2)

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

Updated: January 20, 2023, 6:01 PM`
Sharjah