San Diego Archers New Visitor Questions

About San Diego Archers | Club Membership

New to San Diego, have questions about archery, ranges or need help?

The  San Diego Archers ranges are open to the public and membership with the San Diego Archers is not required to participate in tournaments. The San Diego Archers host four novelty tournaments each year. In addition, there are more than twenty regular competition tournaments throughout the year. Participants are only required to show up with their own gear, sign a waiver, and pay a small fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the San Diego Archers Club and what is its purpose? The San Diego Archers Club is an active archery club in San Diego, sponsoring shoots, tournaments, and events for archery enthusiasts in San Diego.
  • How frequently does the San Diego Archers Club host events? The club sponsors two shoots a month and four major tournaments a year. They also host other events such as the “King Arthur’s Day Tournament” each June, on Father’s Day.
  • Are there opportunities to attend San Diego Archers Club tournaments for free? Yes, the club holds a work party at their ranges each month. You can contact them to see if there are work party positions available before the next tournament, which would allow you to attend the shoot for free.
  • What are the upcoming events or tournaments organized by the club? Specific upcoming events would be listed on the club’s event calendar. One annual highlight is the King Arthur’s Day Tournament in June.
  • Past King Arthur TournamentsCould you provide more details about the King Arthur’s Day Tournament? What should participants bring or wear to this event? The King Arthur’s Day Tournament is a medieval-themed event and is one of the biggest festival events of the club. Participants are encouraged to wear King Arthur-themed costumes and there will be food, snacks, drinks, and an opportunity drawing for prizes. View pictures from a prior tournament.
  • Where can I find the results and scores of previous tournaments? The scores of previous tournaments are posted on the website under Tournaments & Shoot Results.
  • As a first-time visitor to the Rube Powell Balboa Park Archery Range, what should I know? The range is a walking course, similar to a golf course, so it’s important to always walk in the proper direction, counterclockwise along the path. There is also a map of the range available on the website for both desktop and mobile viewing.
  • White boardWhat is the process to register and pay for a San Diego Archers tournament online? There’s a link on the registration page of the website for the date you wish to attend. After registering, you should print a scorecard with a waiver, which you’ll need to score your round. Be sure to arrive on the tournament day by 8:00 am. Once you arrive, be sure to visit the target number reservation whiteboard, where you will write your name into the preferred starting target number box. If you have registered and paid online, and printed your scorecard and waiver for the tournament you do not need to visit the visitor’s table. Just be sure to drop your waiver into the black box at the visitor’s table before leaving the range.
  • Visitors TableIf I haven’t registered online, how can I register for a tournament on the day of the event? You should arrive by 8:00 am and go to the visitor’s table on the west side of the Alcazar Parking Lot. You’ll be asked to sign a paper waiver (you can bring your own signed waiver to save time), read the range safety rules, and pay the registration fee if not paid online. You’ll also be provided a scorecard at the visitor’s table. The fee for day-of-registration may be higher than the fee for preregistration.
  • SDA Pay PoleIs it possible to make a cash donation at the tournament? Yes, if cash is not accepted at the visitor’s table, you can donate at the red pay tube in the practice area. You can also donate online on the San Diego Archers Donation Options page.
  • Are there any specific rules or important points that shooters participating in a tournament should be aware of? Shooters should keep their group size to 5 or fewer persons. After shooting the last target, they should post their score online.
  • Do I need a reservation to shoot at your archery range? Both of our ranges are public archery ranges, open from sunup to sundown. No reservations are required. We only ask that you donate $2 per person online or at the pay poll when you arrive.
  • Bob ManganI recently took an archery lesson. I was wondering if your club has openings for membership, or if you offer lessons? We’re always accepting new members to the club. Apply online when ready.
Read more...

Tournament: First-time Visitor FAQ’s

[ Pay Online ]

Media

⇒ View / Download Scorecard with Waiver:
    
3D Round | Field-Hunter Round | 900 Round

View / Download Balboa Park Map

View / Download the Rube Powell Balboa Park Range Map

View / Download the Animal / Field / Hunter Yardage Stakes Chart

View / Download the Tournament Registration and Bow Style Flowchart

View / Download Morley Field Range Map

General Information

  • All of our shoots are open to the public.
  • Please read the San Diego Archers Range Rules and Etiquette before visiting the range.
  • All archers of all skill levels are welcome.
  • You do not have to be a member to participate.
  • You must bring your own archery equipment.
  • The San Diego Archers host two tournaments each month, on the 1st & 3rd weekends.
  • Most tournaments are on Sundays, unless another planned event blocks entrance to the range. Check the calendar for the latest shoot information.
  • The visitors table is open between 7:45 am – 8:30 am.
  • The range briefing will start in the practice area at around 8:40 am.
  • Shooting will commence at or immediately after 9 am.
  • Only shooters who have registered online and posted their scores online will be eligible for club tournament awards and end-of-year recognition.

Tournaments Types (click for more info)

What to expect when you arrive at a San Diego Archers Rube Powell Balboa Park Archery Range event before 8:15 am

The small parking lot closest to the Rube Powell Balboa Park Archery Range, called the Alcazar Parking Lot, is usually full by 8:15 am. The Organ Pavilion Parking lot is the next closest lot.

When you step up to the visitors table, you’ll be asked to sign a paper waiver, read the safety brief on the back of the waiver, pick up your scorecard; then head over to the practice area with your gear.

Yes, waivers must be signed for everyone stepping onto the archery range during a tournament, including all guests.

Looking to join a group?

Surprising fact: Most archers enjoy talking about their bow and equipment. 🙂

To keep wait times at each target down to a minimum, we ask that you shoot in groups of 3 to 5 persons when possible. Yes, pets are allowed on the range (safety check: no pet running or wandering the range off leash is allowed).

While warming up in the practice area, be sure to strike up a conversation with others shooting similar bow styles to your own; and ask them whether you may join their group. If you are unable to find a group to shoot with, ask one of the friendly volunteer staff members for assistance.

Once your group of 3 to 5 persons is set, walk back to the whiteboard near the visitors table. Enter the name of each person into an unoccupied starting target number stake on the whiteboard. You’ll be walking to that target number stake right after the target briefing, which begins around 8:40 am.

Following the briefing, you’ll walk to your starting target number. When the Balboa Park Bell Tower chimes at 9:00 am, the shoot officially begins.

Groups, Etiquette, Expected Turnouts and Posting Your Score Online

Once you and your group have shot, it is important that you walk smartly with your group as a whole to your target (safety check: no running). Before pulling your arrows, we recommend designating one person in your group as the captain, one or two persons in your group for scoring, and two persons for arrow pulling. Arrow pullers will take turns pulling arrows during the course of the shoot (safety check: only one arrow puller will pull arrows from the target face at the same time).
*The group captain is responsible for making final scoring decisions.

Etiquette: If your group is moving slower than others, allow groups behind you to “shoot through” to help reduce wait times. Likewise, be courteous to other shooters by not talking while others are shooting. And while rangefinders are allowed at Read more...