Kamloops will host the 2013 BC Seniors Games from Aug. 20 to 24, 2013.
The city is expecting about 3,500 athletes, ages 55 and up, to attend the Games, which will feature more than 20 events, ranging from cribbage to ice hockey.
Salmon Arm is expected to once again have a large contingent of athletes participating.
Today, the Observer is featuring the sport of archery.
In the past, it was a means of survival, but today, archery has become a popular recreational sport, one that Tim Kenning, BC Senior Games Zone 8 archery co-ordinator, fell in love with 25 years ago.
“Twenty-five years ago, I went hunting on a farm in South Africa and the owner of the farm got me to try his bow,” Kenning said. “I shot it and it bit me. I went back to civilization and bought a bow.”
Today, Kenning participates in local 3D archery competitions while also sharing his love of the sport with others through the archery shop he owns in Chase.
Three years ago, Kenning set up archery practice in Chase secondary. Since then, the number of people interested has grown.
Though enjoyable, the sport is mentally demanding.
“Archery is 90 per cent mental and 10 per cent mental,” Kenning quipped.
Within the Games, there are six equipment categories using three different types of bows — compound, recurve and long.
“It’s much of a modern thing” Kenning said of the compound bow, an energy-efficient stiff-limbed bow that uses cables and pulleys to bend the limb.
The recurve bow is similar to what its name describes.
“The limbs of the recurve curve back and the ends curve back,” Kenning said.
The longbow is roughly the same height as the person who uses it.
“The longbow is like what Robin Hood used,” Kenning said.
With six equipment categories and a half-dozen age brackets, a maximum of 24 men and 24 women are able to compete. The competition will award gold, silver and bronze medals.
For more information regarding archery, contact Tim Kenning by phone at 250-679-2304 or by email to timsarchery@cablelan.net.
Information regarding the B.C. Seniors Games can be found online at bcseniorsgames.org.
