Starting Archery

Four Week Beginner Course: $200 incl GST to 31 March 2025 course dates, thereafter $230 incl GST

Timing: 9:00am on Saturday mornings

Course length: 1.5 hours (first week 2 hours – arrive 8:30am)

Maximum number per course: 15

All equipment supplied.

Location: Mountain Green Archery Club’s outdoor range, on the summit of Mount Albert / Ōwairaka.

The course is run in specific time blocks so that all students can learn together.  Each course is four weeks of instruction, held across a defined time period (depending on public holidays, club commitments, etc.)  The dates are provided  below.  Classes do not run across public holiday weekends.  Please make sure that you can attend the classes in the course you are booking.

Our courses sell out around six months or more in advance. We do not run waiting lists due to the high demand involved.

Numbers for each course are limited so you must book in advance.  Your place will not be confirmed until the coaching fee has been paid.

Suitability:  This course is for everyone aged 10 and older. Unfortunately we are not able to take anyone younger than this in our courses.

Weather:  Archery is an all weather sport so classes will be held if it is raining.  However, if the weather is extreme, shooting on the day will be deferred to a later week.

For bookings and information, please visit our event booking website (TidyHQ).

Once you have successfully booked and enrolled, see below or click here for our Beginner Course Instructions.

All courses are at 9:00am unless otherwise specified below.
First week arrive at 8:30 for setup.

February 2025 – Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 (Fully Booked)

March 2025 – Mar 8, 15, 22, 29 (Fully Booked)

May 2025 – May 3, 10, 17, 24

July/August 2025 – July 19, 26, August 2, 9

We look forward to teaching you how to participate in and enjoy the sport of archery.  There are a few additional things you should be aware of before you come along to your first lesson:

1. Please wear closed shoes. No bare feet, sandals or jandals are permitted.

2. If you want to wear a long-sleeved shirt, please ensure it is slim-fitting. Baggy sleeves, particularly those on sweatshirts and jackets, get in the way of the bow string.

3. Please apply sunblock before you arrive. That way, your hands are not greasy when you are trying to shoot.

4. Long hair must be tied back.

5. Please bring a water bottle.  A snack is also a good idea for when you are finished.

6. Please arrive 15-20 minutes before the lesson starts, so that you have time to get your gear set up with plenty of time to spare.

7. Lessons will still take place in wet weather. Extreme weather will necessitate the cancellation of the lesson (this will be posted on the mgac.org.nz website by 8:00am) and a make-up session will be scheduled at the end of the course block.

8. The four-week course is on set dates (excluding public holidays). There is the opportunity for one only make-up lesson at the end of the block, if you have to miss a lesson for some reason.  Please ensure that you are available on all the dates for your particular block of lessons.

9. Parking is available at the entrance to the maunga. Please follow the road to the left to access the archery range. For those members who require special vehicle access to the range, please message us directly and arrangements will be made.

10. The stretching exercises you will learn are essential – not an optional extra! Please make sure you do these before and after each session.

It is helpful to understand where your facial features are before you start the course. You will be frequently asked to find your nose, chin, jawbone, etc and it helps if you already know where they are. Ears and eyes definitely need to be in good working order (glasses and hearing aids are no problem). Epsom salts (if you own a bath) and arnica cream are excellent first aid options for the beginner archer. No apples (or heads) will be damaged in the course of your instruction.

We look forward to seeing you on the archery range soon!