can older girls do archery?

[robinw]

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I did archery as a teenager and joined a club, but none of the women did any breast binding, but then we are talking 20 yrs ago. As you said I would find a club let her join and see how see gets on. I really enjoyed it.

One of my very best (female) friends does archery all the time - no binding involved!!!

Look for a club where they teach juniors (the British Archery Association will help they are on the web somewhere) and don't buy any equipment until she's had some lessons with them. The stuff is expensive and you don't know what kind of bow she'll end up shooting or arrows she'll end up using or what strapping she'll need (for her arms)- and the club will probably have some kind of deal with a supplier anyway whereby you can get stuff more cheaply!

If you want me to find out more from you email me through Mumsnet and I'll put you in touch with my friedn - her husband teaches juniors archery so they might have some more advice.

No, not breast binding as such, but you can have something called a chest guard, which straps over the breast over which the bow string would pass. I'd recommend it even if your dd is (like me) less than generously endowed.

The only other bits of equipment you need individually, if your club has pool bows etc, will be a bracer (the rectangular bit of leather which goes down the inside of the arm holding the bow from elbow to wrist) and a tab (the piece of leather you use to draw back the bow string).

I'd recommend using a bracer and chest guard, because if a bow string hits the side of your arm (or, whisper it, your nipple) it hurts like hell and you end up with a "I've visited miss Whiplash" bruise to explain.

I haven't shot in competition for nearly 20 years so the terminology might have changed!.

Hope she enjoys it........happy shooting.

I learnt archery as an adult (university age). I'm supposed to be a 34D in the chest area, but don't recall any of the gals in the class having a problem. Maybe it was with the ancient huge long bows archers used to use?? Now, good forearm protectors, on the other hand, definitely a must.

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