Dutch 3D championships, my own pics and comments

[Flying Dutchman]

As promised, I will post some pictures our group made during the Dutch championships. For those who are interested: the 3D Championships were in Ritthem; a small village located close to the famous big estuaries "De Westerschelde". They lasted for two days on two different courses with 30 targets each. Location is in the South-West of The Netherlands, the province of Sealand. The area is dominated by Fortress Rammekens, which is the most ancient water fortresses of Europe. It was build in 1547. For those who are even more interested, here you can find some pics and info:           http://www.fortrammekens.nl/            
Furthermore is the fortress surrounded by a nature preserve and a high dam separates the estuaries from the forest and wetlands. It was in this beautiful, unique, yet very  rough and wet landscape we had to shoot two days long. 30 targets each day, the best from the best from The Netherlands, challenging each other..The first day the groups were random, but compound and traditional archers were separated and put on the different courses. Next day you changed course and the organisation made new groups, depending on the scores. So you knew you would shooth with archers who had minimum the same level as you. First day I was with 5 archers, second day with three.
Both days I left at 07.00 at home and came back at 20.30.

I will start with a nice pic to come in the right mood: sunset at the dam with on the background the estuaries and a lonely archer, being one with his surroundings.....


Here I am after a 100 miles drive, just before the Championships begins, still smiling.... I placed this pic specially for Doc Noc. Not all Dutch Archers are fat! Yeah I know it: it is hard to believe I am suffering from MS when you see me.
       

And here you see me in action, just before the release:

         

Our group did well: 5 archers shot 4 first kills on this difficult target. This bear is as dead as dead can be!

         


When looking carefully, you can see the gator on the riverbank, just before the archers. See that Doc Noc? He was laying in the mud, just as in real. Missing made a "blobbing" sound and your arrow would disappear totally under the mud. It was funny waiting there: Blob! Blub! Slllrrrp! Blob! Blub. Slllrrrp... The sound of missing arra's.... I was laughing and having fun , till it was my turn. Happily I shot a beautiful kill with my second arrow, one of the happy few here...

         

[Flying Dutchman]

This is how your arrows looked when you dug them up in the mud. Sometimes you had to dig one feet deep.....

   

This was a nice shot on a fish, half in the water. Most of us shot a first kill. Notice the beautiful surroundings

   

On the dam we had four distance shots on a row, between the 60 and 80 yards. To make it even more easy: all downhill. Very downhill, to say the truth. This picture gives a good idea of the difficulty level. The wind was howling at the top of the dam. Our first shot was a bear at 65 feet. The two archers of my group missed all three arrows, they went all to the left. I figured it had to be the wind, because they were very good archers who seldom missed. I decided to aim right, two feet behind the bears ass. For the first time in my career I aimed on purpose alongside of the target! After the release I was praying that the wind would grab my arrow. And so it happened; my first arrow was leaded to the left by the wind and ended in a nice first hit, just under the killzone. A true mastershot if I may say so. On the four distance shots I had one first hit, two second hits and one kill. Outstanding shooting!

   

Till so far the pics. They are all they made. As told, I shot great, was able to do both days and ended as 12th from the 221. Not bad for an MS patient. The second day I was dead tired and suffered from nerve pains, bad eye sight and my legs looked like rubber. I persisted and never gave up. But now I have to recover for some weeks, because I drove my body too far. I have to stay in bed for a while. But I will gladly pay that price...

[Car54]

Good shooting FLying D and thanks for the pics.

[JohnnyWayne]

Awesome thanks for sharing this with us  

[pauljr]

Very nice sir, I admire you!

[bornagainbowhunter]

awsome!

[Marc B.]

I'm glad you got to go. Beautiful countryside!

[M60gunner]

I wish I was there. It sure is pretty country. I hope your recovery go well.
Tom

[Bladepeek]

While you are recovering, you will have some great memories that will keep you company. I'll bet that is a tournament you will never forget.

Oh, and nice pics too! As my wife's relatives would say, "Lecker".

[Roadkill]

Know about brain problems myself and salute you for completing the event.  You looked as ifvyou were having fun.

[Flying Dutchman]

Thanks to ya all! Some memories I will carry with me for a looong time!

[Night Wing]

Great report.       Great photos too.            THanks for sharing.    

[wooddamon1]

      Looks like fun!

[Flying Dutchman]

Here you see an air-picture of the remainings of Fortress Rammekens. In the left corner you see the estuaries.

[Flying Dutchman]

And this is how it must have looked like in the 16th century. Solid stone walls of 10 feet thick and big guns aiming at the estuaries, to protect against those darned English, French or even worse, Pirates. Yes, we were shooting in a piece of history!

 

[JEFF B]

now thats what i call style  ad pirad

[Leland]

Thank-you for sharing,great story and pics.
Leland

[Sam McMichael]

Very nice pictures. Congratulations on shooting so well. I'm sorry that a long day is so tough on you, but I sure admire your spirit!

[Eric Sprick]

Very cool! Looks like a great time.

Eric

[Friend]

Splendid event~~~~~