ANDREWS 20 question
The essential 10 questions first.
How did you get into archery?
A good question to start, I played badminton for many years in my local community hall (Ballykelly) and helped run this club with some other committee members. However, we eventually had too many kids playing and not enough parents or adult players available to supervise so we were left with no option but to close the club for good due to the safety guidelines for young people in sport. A couple of weeks later, someone I was randomly talking to remarked if I was aware that there was now archery taking place in the hall. I remember laughing saying I very much doubt it as the hall would not be big enough for any archery, after all It was a compact one court hall with a small stage at one end. But this person was adamant that he was correct and told me to go along and see for myself. Which I did the following week and that’s how it all started. I met coach Don (Bradley) and a few other archers. I was gob-smacked and very pleasantly surprised. It looked interesting, challenging and the coaches demonstrated it all in a fun way. Within minutes I had had a go myself and I was instantly drawn to the sport. I was back the next week for a proper session. And 18 years later I still love it all just as much, having met the most lovely people and making lifelong friends along the way.
Your first shoot, where, when, with who?
When this club, known as Dunbrody Archers first set up, it used Ballykelly hall but before very long Don and Co, looked for its first woods. We prepared to set up in the foothills of the White Mountain on the Wexford- Carlow border It was so exciting the prospects of being able to shoot outside in our own woodland, During this same time Blue Arrows archery club in Kill Co. Waterford invited us to their woods and so to answer the question, this was where I had my first ever field shoot as a bunch of us from the club attended, Don will confirm that I told him that first day in Blue Arrows woods ”Don, I am now officially hooked!” My first competitive shoot was our inaugeral shoot in our new woods not long afterwards.
What has been your stand out archery moment?
This is so difficult to choose as there have been several stand-out moments. But I have to say seeing my son Calum start shooting with me and meeting Sonja and her son Cian through a Dunbrody “have a go” day and marrying her six years later would have to be the pinnacle.
Your favourite shooting bow style/s and why?
I love the trad recurve, horse bow and Amercian flatbow categories but I have to say there is something extra special about shooting an English Longbow when you loose an arrow and you know even as it leaves your hand and the bow that this shot is going to be a really good one. A longbow archer will know exactly what I mean. As for traditional archers there are something special about them, there is a camaraderie, a conviviality, a connection and a mutual understanding that doesn’t need any words. My personal favourite bow to date is a longbow made by none other than Harry Hoellrigl over in Mayo, This bow still hangs on my wall and although still intact, I did retire it a few years back. It is made of Massaranduba (Brazilian) red wood with bamboo backing with a handle position situated slightly below centre so not a full compass symmetry. I loved shooting this longbow and did reasonably well with it through the years.
Andrew, Your proudest personal archery moment/moments to date. so I thought. The extra pressure I placed on myself meant I was conscious of scores and so I wasted far too many shots, and it came down to the very last target and I had got myself into a right mental state. I needed just 6 points to achieve my goal but it was a long distance target in a dark shaded zone where it was hard to visualise the 3D, even identifying it was filled with uncertainty. My first arrow went into blackness and I didn’t hear any hugely welcome thud. I snatched at my 2nd shot and it blasted over the bear (yes I could only then see what the target was – a group 2 bear) So the very last shot and with sweat running down my brow, I released, Thankfully I got the much needed kill as a third wound just wouldn’t do, but when I went up to the target with my companions, my first arrow to my surprise was also in the body so my personal goal was achieved but by doing it the hard way. I still can recall the immense relief and delight afterwards. IFAF and SIFA National Champs wins through the years also hold a lot of pride especially the ones where there was tight competition within the class. and where a single arrow score was a deciding factor in the end. I felt very proud to receive the "arrow in the apple" trophy made by craftsman and fellow archer Andy Vagg some years back and which holds pride of place on my top shelf. This year a UKIFAC victory was very satisfying too.
What is the best thing about archery? Without doubt it just has to be the camaraderie experienced and friendships made and being privileged to know so many archery people, some unfortunately that are no longer with us. The fact that it is a family sport open to all and something most people can enjoy. It is an activity that can be both competitive and social. It has enhanced our lives in so many ways. For me, I met my late wife through archery and gained a stepson and great in-laws. We had Cameron together who I will have shooting with me in another year or two. Had I not started archery, meeting Sonja would never have occurred and for that I am eternally grateful. I had ten great years with Sonja before she suddenly passed away in 2017 and I cherish all our archery shoots together amongst so many amazing people who we saw as friends and I still do.
Your favourite woods, course or venue? My favourite woods, that’s a tough one as there are so many great courses but I loved Dunbrody’s Stokestown woods which was a place I played many times in as a child as it was near my home. So that held great memories for me, little did I know back then that as an adult I would be back shooting arrows in it competitively. Loughcrew’s woods, and Massbrook woods in Mayo hold great memories too. I love the Oak section of the Three Counties course and the view from the top. So many fine woods currently out there with their own endearing qualities so I think I will leave it at that. What’s the furthest distance you have travelled to an archery event to date? That’s an easy one as the answer would be China -twice, which were amazing, never-to-forget experiences. Do you excel at any other sports? I enjoy several other sports but I do not excel at any. I have had success at Badminton in the past when somewhat younger and when I could run around a bit more. I still enjoy playing astro soccer which keeps me someway active, and an occasional bit of golf, racketball or tennis but far from an expert in these. Snooker sometimes too, but I’m not in anyway consistent at it. Airsoft is something I am reasonably good at and I like to get in character for the various maneouvers but it’s not really classed as a sport as such. Re: Shoots, Do you like camping, caravanning etc, or are you a hotel or b+b person, or a travelling on the day despite the distance kind of person? Hmmm, I guess I enjoy tent camping the night before a shoot if the distance is in anyway great and a bonus if I am around other camping friends although I do like driving on the morning of a shoot if it’s not too far, Camping for more than one night in succession is not top of my list however. I have been known to sleep in my car on occasion too, an advantage of not being too tall. Now I wouldn’t say no to a nice hotel either and procuring a camper van is definitely a future aim of mine. Now the ten questions from the randomly selected numbers from a list of 50. Your favourite Superhero or Superhero skill you’d like to possess?
My favourite Superhero is a joint effort. Hawkeye (no surprises there and I am a fan of Jeremy Renner generally), and Thor (for his wit and humour) as I am a bit of a Marvel Universe fan. A superhero skill I’d like to have is the power of invisibility which is shared by quite a few comic book hero’s, it would be quite a handy thing to have. Imagine all the mischief I could get up to! Describe yourself in five words? Kind, helpful, loyal, amiable, creative. What three things other than clothing, food and water would you want with you on a desert Island?
Well, I wouldn’t feel safe without a weapon of some sort and although a bow and a quiver of arrows would be reassuring, I think a good decent oversized bowie style knife or a machete would be more favourable. The 2nd thing would be a good soft warm blanket that’s brightly illuminated in colour on one side to double act as a warning beacon if needed. The 3rd thing would be aI do love competitive challenges and being the 5th archer nationally to win the IFAF Hotshot award when it was first introduced is definitely up there. I remember being at Loughcrew’s course and only needing 30 points or so from five remaining targets to secure this award. Easily done- or so I thought. The extra pressure I placed on myself meant I was conscious of scores and so I wasted far too many shots, and it came down to the very last target and I had got myself into a right mental state. I needed just 6 points to achieve my goal but it was a long distance target in a dark shaded zone where it was hard to visualise the 3D, even identifying it was filled with uncertainty. My first arrow went into blackness and I didn’t hear any hugely welcome thud. I snatched at my 2nd shot and it blasted over the bear (yes I could only then see what the target was – a group 2 bear) So the very last shot and with sweat running down my brow, I released, Thankfully I got the much needed kill as a third wound just wouldn’t do, but when I went up to the target with my companions, my first arrow to my surprise was also in the body so my personal goal was achieved but by doing it the hard way. I still can recall the immense relief and delight afterwards. IFAF and SIFA National Champs wins through the years also hold a lot of pride especially the ones where there was tight competition within the class. and where a single arrow score was a deciding factor in the end. I felt very proud to receive the "arrow in the apple" trophy made by craftsman and fellow archer Andy Vagg some years back and which holds pride of place on my top shelf. This year a UKIFAC victory was very satisfying too.
What is the best thing about archery?
Without doubt it just has to be the camaraderie experienced and friendships made and being privileged to know so many archery people, some unfortunately that are no longer with us. The fact that it is a family sport open to all and something most people can enjoy. It is an activity that can be both competitive and social. It has enhanced our lives in so many ways. For me, I met my late wife through archery and gained a stepson and great in-laws. We had Cameron together who I will have shooting with me in another year or two. Had I not started archery, meeting Sonja would never have occurred and for that I am eternally grateful. I had ten great years with Sonja before she suddenly passed away in 2017 and I cherish all our archery shoots together amongst so many amazing people who we saw as friends and I still do.
Your favourite woods, course or venue?
My favourite woods, that’s a tough one as there are so many great courses but I loved Dunbrody’s Stokestown woods which was a place I played many times in as a child as it was near my home. So that held great memories for me, little did I know back then that as an adult I would be back shooting arrows in it competitively. Loughcrew’s woods, and Massbrook woods in Mayo hold great memories too. I love the Oak section of the Three Counties course and the view from the top. So many fine woods currently out there with their own endearing qualities so I think I will leave it at that.
What’s the furthest distance you have travelled to an archery event to date?
That’s an easy one as the answer would be China -twice, which were amazing, never-to-forget experiences.
Do you excel at any other sports?
I enjoy several other sports but I do not excel at any. I have had success at Badminton in the past when somewhat younger and when I could run around a bit more. I still enjoy playing astro soccer which keeps me someway active, and an occasional bit of golf, racketball or tennis but far from an expert in these. Snooker sometimes too, but I’m not in anyway consistent at it. Airsoft is something I am reasonably good at and I like to get in character for the various maneouvers but it’s not really classed as a sport as such.
Re: Shoots, Do you like camping, caravanning etc, or are you a hotel or b+b person, or a travelling on the day despite the distance kind of person?
Hmmm, I guess I enjoy tent camping the night before a shoot if the distance is in anyway great and a bonus if I am around other camping friends although I do like driving on the morning of a shoot if it’s not too far, Camping for more than one night in succession is not top of my list however. I have been known to sleep in my car on occasion too, an advantage of not being too tall. Now I wouldn’t say no to a nice hotel either and procuring a camper van is definitely a future aim of mine.
Now the ten questions from the randomly selected numbers from a list of 50.
Your favourite Superhero or Superhero skill you’d like to possess?
My favourite Superhero is a joint effort. Hawkeye (no surprises there and I am a fan of Jeremy Renner generally), and Thor (for his wit and humour) as I am a bit of a Marvel Universe fan. A superhero skill I’d like to have is the power of invisibility which is shared by quite a few comic book hero’s, it would be quite a handy thing to have. Imagine all the mischief I could get up to!
Describe yourself in five words?
Kind, helpful, loyal, amiable, creative.
What three things other than clothing, food and water would you want with you on a desert Island? Well, I wouldn’t feel safe without a weapon of some sort and although a bow and a quiver of arrows would be reassuring, I think a good decent oversized bowie style knife or a machete would be more favourable. The 2nd thing would be a good soft warm blanket that’s brightly illuminated in colour on one side to double act as a warning beacon if needed. The 3rd thing would be a companion, preferably a female who gives great back and foot massages, Now, if she can also bring three things herself she can pack the solar powered torch, the fire-starter and the binoculars.
If you had a warning label what would it be?
It would have to be - has a great temperament but may react if goaded or provoked or even tickled!
What song or singer would you say best sums you up?
My life so far seems to be defined in sections, alas many out of my control and I really love music across many genres but Bon Jovi Living on a prayer might be one which I see as appreciating what you got and being.determined to keep going through thick and thin although maybe without very many of the prayers.
If you could be present at one particular past event or occasion, what might it be?
Even though I came up with the 60 questions, this is actually a tough one. I love history, reading about or watching footage of historical events and I would love to step back in time to see how life was back then, maybe nothing too dangerous like arriving back on the front at the battle of the Somme during World War 1, or finding myself in the ballroom of the Titanic as it bore down on that iceberg. I suppose if it was an event like a live show it would have to be Queen at Wembley Stadium on Friday 11th July 1986. ( I was 11 at the time) This was such a magical and inspiring concert from such an iconic band and I'd love to have been present as I adore their music. To see Freddie Mercury live would have been amazing, even if I did see Queen with Adam Lambert just a few years ago in Marley park - Dublin and great as it was, it just wasn’t the man himself.
What are your pet hates?
Pet hates, now don’t' get me started, Most of my pet hates revolve around cars and traffic, like someone in front who fails to indicate then slows suddenly before turning off the road, or a driver who waiting to emerge onto the road you are on, watches you approach then far too late decides to pull out in front of you and cut you up, and then proceeds to drive slower than you were going Arrrrrgh!. Or the stubborn farmer (not always a farmer I might add) who just will not move in to let the 25 vehicles queued behind go past. (hats off to the thoughtful considerate ones). Getting away from traffic now, the far too often missing tv remote (I’m tempted to spray the damned thing bright orange or tie it to the coffee table, maybe do both!) Looking for the electric tin opener which someone keeps moving off the counter where it was permanently plugged in for convenience, into some obscure area of a dark cabinet. Ordering a takeaway where it seems half the town get their orders before I do and many of them ordered well after me too! Incorrectly priced items in shops. Back to traffic, those pedestrian crossings where the person who pressed it has crossed and is halfway up the road before the lights change from red. Or worse still- that person who presses the button just to piss off us motorists. I actually feel a bit better now after getting these off my chest.
Which would you rather do, vacuum the house, cut the hedge, iron the laundry or fix the leaky tap?
Oh I know that my most hated household chore is ironing, I hate it with a vengeance, did I say I hate it! Ironing one side and then the thing is still wrinkled on the other side, one crease removed, then there is another one, no wait there’s three new ones. Not for me! Thankfully most of the clothes I wear don’t require very much ironing.
Vacuuming the house now that’s something I might do without having to be physically threatened to do so. In-fact it’s not always that bad, as there is some satisfaction attached to it and I will on occasion get a weird pleasure out of manually emptying a full hoover bag to see how many lego pieces, coins or socks I or some other family member has managed to suck up. My bit towards helping the environment by reusing, repurposing, and recycling I guess. The leaky tap is another matter however as my intentions might be to have a go at it and save some money, and my handyman skills might be reasonable enough but my water system knowledge far less so. It rarely ends well when I take out the heavy duty wrenches, vice grips and spanners. So that leaves (pardon the pun) the hedges and unfortunately, I have some high long Griselinia ones so any hedge maintenance involves stepladders, actual ladders, boards, gloves, long reach trimmers and courage. That’s even without the most tedious debris removal afterwards. But of a fine day (not too hot), some pre- built up motivation, nothing else more interesting on the cards to do, nice sharpened tools, adequate petrol mix, and a good loud working stereo, the hedges just win out. So to answer the question in order of preference it is Ironing last- way way last, leaky tap 3rd- for the house safety aspect, vacuuming 2nd (I might even find a euro or two) and hedge cutting is 1st due to the rewarding levels of satisfaction afterwards. despite the effort involved.
Your favourite author, story, or book?
My favourite author is Dean Koontz and I have read most of his books ever since I discovered the first one "Tick Tock" which is a story about a man who finds a “doll” on his doorstep which comes alive leading to dangerous consequences. Soul Survivor, Intensity, and the Odd Thomas books amongst his other works. Koontz novels usually involve some bizarre aspects with fantastical or dark elements such as out of this world evil beings or those with strange abilities. I would also like authors such as Dan Brown, Patricia Cornwell, Clive Cussler, Karin Slaughter and Michael Connelly.
Finally if you could be an animal which one would you like to be?
A buzzard soaring high and with a fabulous perspective of the land below and with the freedom to head off in any direction and yet having my own territory to patrol. The family unity aspect too and no predators except the very rare and callous human with poison or a gun. The courageous or stupidly annoying dive-bombing crows I would live with although eating raw rodents and frogs er noooo...
Right everyone, thanks for viewing, and interview 3 is also included in this issue.
Other archers will be randomly contacted for upcoming interviews, will it be you?
Thanks
Andrew Wayland