This croc was the first target. It set the tone for the 3D.

Alex Tyers shows the certificate she received as one of the winners in the Cubs category.

Archer Lute Vink (on the left) “killed” the red hartbeest with a double-lung shot. On the right is bowyer Johan van der Merwe.

Sunday: Martin Jacobson played his guitar during the divine service on Sunday morning.

Chris Green participated in this year’s annual Sterkrivier shoot – an event he never misses.

The Sterkrivier Shoot held every year on the farm of Henk and Gerda du Plessis is an institution amongst traditional archers in South Africa and offers the wonderful prospect of three days of camping and archery in one of the most beautiful areas of the Northern Province.

This year’s shoot took place from 1 to 3 May, at the end of a month of holidays and other distractions and in the current depressed economic climate. Thus there were marginally fewer attendees this year. I was blessed to be able to bring my partner Penny, who has heard me talking ad nauseam about the shoot. But being a professional musician she has precious few weekends free normally, so this was a special trip. We also brought two youngsters with us: Alex, who had shot a bit at her school, and Jason, who was a complete novice. The journey up from Johannesburg can best be left aside – roadworks and traffic about sums it up. We arrived late in the night, it was cloudless and the first thing we noticed was the crystal clear sparkle of thousands of stars. The moon was nearly set, leaving the faintest shadowy outline of the Waterberg visible, so that the stars were just that more spectacular. Score ten points for making the trip. With camp set up, we piled into bed after a nice hot chocolate to warm us and we slept peacefully.

Organisation
The event itself and all the associated preparation of the camp ground, pathways, ranges, targets, etc was up to Henk’s usual high standards. It is testimony to a carefully planned and well-organised team effort that the shoots ran so smoothly. It was also no suprise that at the prize-giving the first person Henk mentioned in thanks was Gerda. Gerda has gathered around her an efficient and well-organised team over the years, drawn from her own family, friends and farm staff. Leandre, Jenny and their boyfriends happily rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in. The result was a smooth process from the first breakfast of boerewors rolls and coffee, through pancakes, curry and rice at lunch, to the truck that appeared like a vision loaded with icy cool drinks and snacks at strategic points on the courses.The administration went smoothly and the bulletin board had a summary of the programme. The evening braai with plenty of space around the fires to braai and chat rounded off the days nicely.

The shoot had two rounds of 3D on Friday and Saturday and one on Sunday. Extra events like golf and funshoots were fitted in between the 3D rounds. Sunday afternoon saw the  prize-giving before we set off for home. On Friday and Saturday evenings there was a communal braai and on Sunday morning a devotional service that was held at the dam. Friday started with registration, greeting old friends and getting the kids set up. After a couple of warm-up shots at the target bale, the first groups headed off on an archery golf round. This has to be the best way to start a  weekend of archery for people like myself who live in a city and who are restricted to twenty-yard shots. The sky was a brilliant blue and three of the shooters in our group had the brightest of fluorescent fletches on their arrows. The arrows streaked off into the sky, appearing willing to go on forever before they slowly tipped earthwards. Such freedom is a rare thing for a city boy! The event was organised so that adults went off first and then the kids and juniors followed. This sensible arrangement meant that the adults could go on to complete two rounds on the 3D course later and be finished before dark. We elected to take the kids with us on the golf round, before they joined the cubs who were very ably conducted by Nicholas and Amanda.

The course
After the golf and a snack we headed out on the first 3D round. I always look forward to seeing how the targets are set out, hoping for close-range ‘interesting shots’ through brush that are realistic, and dreading the long shots. This year we had a really interesting course, with few very long shots at all but ones that would test your skill and ingenuity nonetheless. There was the inevitable gemsbuck, lioness and red hartbees at forty, thirty-five and thirty yards. Actually that is not so far, but Henk had cunningly placed them so that there was ‘dead ground’ beyond the intervening bushes that tested the archers’ understanding of their arrows’ trajectory.  The hyena was another example. You had to bend over and shoot through a close-up bush across eight yards into shadow, no more than fifteen yards. Most missed that laughing fellow at least once. You do have to estimate distance and be able to call your shot. Remember, on a target range a forty-yard shot is close.  The varied riverine bush provided a nice diversity of shot angles and the flying pig represented the only aerial target this year. His tree-dwelling friend, the baboon, seems to have been on vacation. No matter, piggie  had us all betting on our chances and being taught a few lessons, too. After a couple of misses I was lucky to pull off one satisfying heart shot. I gratefully accepted the points. I think everyone had a fight with the impala, a mere twelve feet away, but almost straight down a steep bank. Again the trajectory factor came in. It was interesting to ask other shooters which targets were their favourites and which they found difficult. Aside from the obvious long shots on the gemsbuck and hartbeest, there was a mix of favourites or villains. The 3D round took us a couple of hours in the sun, which was an effort. But the refreshments, trees and shade along the river made up for it. Saturday was overcast and Sunday drizzly. I can’t think of a more entertaining way to spend a few hours with friends. Perhaps the best indicator of the fun we had was the shouts of glee heard through the bush from other groups and the looks of happiness on the face of the juniors we came across. The target pegs were moved each day and gave a second or third chance to redeem yourself – a chance that could be squandered by reckless shooting. Scores fluctuated up and down right to the end.  The cubs were taken around the course by Jenny and Nicolas or Nicolas and Amanda. They returned with satisfied comments. Alex met us on the course  on the first day and said with the broadest grin, “I’m doing very well!” She was, too. Jason turned out the philosopher of our group and made the briefest of comments on the course: “I liked it”! Whenever we wanted him during the weekend he was to be found shooting at the practice butt. For a first-timer he sure put in some mileage. By Sunday Jason was very confident and able.

The targets
The croc that was the first target lay across a small side stream on a muddy sandbank, behind which flowed the deceptive, lazy waters of the Sterkrivier. Not quite as daunting as the Limpopo, but realisitic enough with “ou croc” lying there.  Ziets had to make the lightning decision to go wading after his arrow that missed high and was leaving for parts unknown on the not-so-slow waters of the Sterkrivier. River mud is no respector of elegant fletching either, so a solid hit was desirable, points aside. I was not the only one to bury an arrow to the nock in that clay.  In fact the croc represented a good introduction to the range. Nothing was straightforward, all shots needed to be considered on their merits, and if you were hasty or failed to notice something you would find yourself scrambling in the undergrowth looking for your arrow. Each shot presented a typical hunting shot or riddle, yet every one was achievable. On a previous shoot I remember someone remarking that every target has twenty points available, but how many do you waste? It was a well-thought-out course with some ironic humour thrown in, like  the increasing chances of missed shots on one bushpig landing  in the river as the shot angle increased each day. The enigmatic smile of the crocodile!

Fun shoots
Saturday afternoon was  given over to the fun shoots, the golden arrow being the first one. Men and women shot together and there was a fair number of ladies sticking it out after the line was moved back a few times. It is a good event and the sight of the red hartbeest target after the first round is always impressive. It looked like a very exotic porcupine! Lute Vink won the men’s event with a double-lung shot. The next event was the William Tell shot, the unfortunate dummy holding an orange on his head instead of an apple. He had a surprise for low shots, his head being solid steel plate! Sparks flew and no arrow survived the encounter. Misses over the top ended in the grass. Many folk increased their chances by using fluflus and judo points, but it was not easy. Estelle was the only one to shoot the orange dead centre.

The others who did hit it, did so with glancing blows. Those who managed to hit went through to the next round and the line was moved back as in the golden arrow. The shootout was won by Pierre. After that we had an informal shoot at an aerial disc, hand-thrown by Jaco Wessels. The kids enjoyed this very much. It is ‘easy but hard’ shooting, and timing the shot so that the arrow strikes the target at the top of its trajectory is best. Jaco had a display of bows and equipment set up each day and was seen in busy consultation giving advice and help to participants throughout the weekend. It was a very useful thing to have had, and Jaco’s advice was well received. I think it was a good example of how a supplier can engage with his potential market as well as service existing clients: be seen and be available. Of course Jaco took part in the shoot as well, managing to win it in spite of his extra efforts. He also had a daily four-hour drive home and back to attend to his sick dogs!
Sunday

The Sunday morning service was held up at the dam and ended with the rain coming down in a sharp thunderstorm. The rain had been threatening from the early hours and once it came it held up proceedings for a while. We sat and drank coffee and chatted. As soon as it cleared the final round took place. It was chilly and damp, but dried up through the morning. The shoot ended for us after midday and we started packing up camp as soon as the weak sunlight had dried out the tents. Soon enough we were called down to the lodge for the prize-giving. It was a relaxed affair and it is worth noting that the small children got plenty of recognition. The standard of shooting was high and some regulars posted good scores, with Avril Malan shading Henk into third place in the men’s competition. The ladies field was smaller, but still keenly contested. Amanda van der Merwe had an easy passage, being the only girl in the juniors, whilst there were several junior boys. The cubs were more evenly spread. The prizes were of very good quality and the sponsors were thanked for their generous support.

After all the farewells and thank yous we finished packing up and hit the long road home. The journey back was a time for pleasant reflection for me and I thought of how much I always look forward to this shoot. Each year is different, with different people going and new shooters appearing. Some stalwarts go every year and like me would be loathe to miss even one event. There is always something to learn, and sharing time with new and old friends is priceless. From the perspective of our city lives it may seem like a long trip, but it is always worth it once we are there. I am glad that Henk and Gerda put on this shoot at no small expense and effort, and long may they continue to do so.

The winners:
Men: Jaco Wessels, Avril Malan, Henk du Plessis
Women: Marlize Visser, Estelle de Wet, Michelle de Wet
Junior boys: Joshua, Jan-Gustav, River Reed
Junior girls: Amanda v d Merwe
Cubs, boys: Simeon, Ivan, Regardt
Cubs, girls: Marcelle vd Merwe, Miga vd Merwe, Alex Tyers.