In a modest building in northeast Vancouver a small group of motivated youngsters gathers regularly to practice the highly technical art of competitive target shooting. They are members of the junior program of the Vancouver Rifle and Pistol Club, and they have had a very exciting spring.
The small group of youngsters performed very well in April at the 2018 Rifle/Pistol National Junior Olympics and Paralympics in Colorado Springs, Co.
This is the world of serious competition shooting, where contestants shoot state-of-the-art rifles and pistols at tiny targets with unbelievable accuracy. It is a sport that demands discipline, not only while shooting, but also with the care and maintenance that the high-tech equipment demands.
I recently was the guest of club member Michael Farah of Vancouver as he introduced me to what he described as an outstanding group of teenage competition shooters. This exceptional group of young people is excelling in their sport and winning state competitions as well as national events across the country.
“Most of these kids are in the top 10 for their category,” said Farah. “They are a really great group of kids.”
Farah has been coaching youngsters for years, and explains that this particular group is a step above most youngsters that he has worked with.
Shooters in junior programs participate in state competitions, competing for invitations to shoot at the National Junior Olympic Championships. Most of the junior club members are state champions in their category.
“And, they are all perfectionists,” he adds.
Perfectionism is a perfect attribute for shooters trying to hit targets that are, literally, the size of the head of a pin.
Farah had invited me to stop over and see this exceptional group of young people practice their art. It was a bit of a wonder to watch as the entire group of young shooters employed their rifles and equipment, displaying a surprising amount of knowledge about the tools of their chosen pastime, and how to care for them.
In fact, Farah informed me that a number of the youngsters are aiming for a career in engineering. That field seems a perfect fit, because this kind of shooting is as much about the technology as the technique.
Quality shooters like this are often awarded college scholarships, and a couple members have already won such scholarships.
The rifles and pistols are either air rifles or .22-caliber, but if you have never seen a competition rifle you might not recognize it for what it is. These are not your standard firearms.
They are a bit pricey, too. Rifles of this sort can run from $3,000 to $5,000, and that is before you add in all the accessories and ammunition.
In competition shooting the participants compete in categories assigned by age. They include:
J1 Age Category: 18-20
J2 Age Category: 15-17
J3 Age Category: 14 and Under
Kylie Delaney, 15, was totally engrossed in preparing her rifle and equipment for a practice shoot when I approached her to ask a few questions. Littered abound her were the trappings of a serious target shooter: equipment and tools, many that I did not recognize.
However, Delaney was totally comfortable with it and she proudly displayed her rifle complete with artwork she had used to personalize it.
She had recently returned from the Junior Olympic shooting competition in Colorado. Delaney described that experience as “Really fun, but really, really stressful.”
Casper Schadler, 18, has been shooting competitively for about 10 years. He has participated in three Junior Olympics shooting competitions. What does he like best about the sport?
“The amount of work that you have to put into it in order to be consistently good,” he said.
Jaden Gabbard is the club’s lone pistol shooter. She has been to the Junior Olympic twice.
“The first time I was trying to settle into the rhythm of a big match,” said Gabbard. “The second time I got to make some connections with other shooters. It was super fun.”
Farah is understandably proud of this hard working group, and he wants to encourage would-be shooters to try the sport.
“For kids that are interested we will provide everything they need to start,” he said.
The club members are a close-knit group, something the coaches and Farah aim for.
“We’re a family,” he said. “We look out for each other.”
While promoting discipline and safety, Farah says they never lose track of the fact that this is a sport. And, sports are about more than hard work.
“All said, we want them to have fun in the end.”
