Checking the scores during the archery golf.

Henk du Plessis, grant Adams and Eric Buisson.

Archer had to shoot a baboon hanging in a tree.

Many women competed at this years shoot.

Young Adrian Pont won the Golden Arrow event.

By Rean Steenkamp

No fewer than 91 archers competed during this year’s Sterkrivier Shoot, the biggest since the competition was first held eleven years ago.

From only 30 traditional men competing in the first competition in 1998, the event has grown into a family occasion in which entire families enjoy taking part in the fun shoots and main event. At the first shoot competitors enjoyed sitting around one fire. Now many fires light up the bushveld sky every night and during the day the whole campsite is abuzz with the voices of many children, men and women.

The yearly gathering of traditional archers at Sterkrivier encompasses what this sport is about – maintaining traditions such as good family values, friendship, sportsmanship and camaraderie. It isn’t only a long weekend of good archery fun and mingling with other traditionalists, but a time well spent with family and old friends. Many of the archers have known one another since the first event and only meet once a year at the Sterkrivier shoots.

This year the men’s section was once again won by the host, Henk du Plessis. Henk’s archery abilities, hunting prowess and knowledge of bow building are legendary. In the years since the first competition he has done much to make the Sterkrivier shoot one of the most interesting and best organised in the country.
In second place was Rodney Bassingthwaighte, also a well-known archer and hunter in traditional circles. Rodney has won many traditional shoots and always ends among the first five places in the Sterkrivier shoot. Last year he also walked away with the silver medal. Rodney has done much to promote traditional archery in the country and was one of the first to take up the longbow. This man’s ability with a bow and arrow is astounding.

In third place was Frans Kriek, a young archer who has grown with the Sterkrivier shoot. Frans, 28, took part in one of the first Sterkrivier shoots when he was still at school. He has incredible natural talent and is always a contender for one of the first three places at any traditional competition.

It is interesting to note that last year Frans was first, Rodney second and Henk third. This year the places are the other way around.

The women’s section was won by Eleanor Adams, with an overall score that left many of the men green with envy. Eleanor is the wife of Grant Adams, who is also a very competent longbow archer and a well-known manufacturer of 3D targets.

In second place was Marchelle Bassingthwaighte, Rodney’s wife. Marcell has attended many Sterkrivier events and always ends among the first three places.

Magda Grobler was third. Magda is well-known in traditional circles and so is her husband Japie. Japie have been a medal winner at Sterkrivier at quite a few of the previous years.

I asked Henk about the secret behind his archery ability. His answer was that it is a God-given gift. Henk says the allure of the traditional bow is its simplicity. “You only have the bow and arrow and nothing to help you. If you shoot a poor shot, it is always your mistake and never that of the bow. You always have to work on your form. Traditional archery is a never-ending endeavour to improve.”

To the same question Rodney answered “practise and concentration. Once you have your form, you have to concentrate on that on the day of the competition, then everything else will fall into place.”

Frans Kriek says it’s important to shoot a bow with which you are comfortable; one that is within the limits of your strength and fits your shooting style. “All that then remains is your natural shooting ability, form and plenty of practise.”

If you are a traditional archer and have not yet attended a Sterkrivier shoot, it is high time you do so. Once you have been there you will not want to miss the next one.