Tag Archives: clermont florida archery clubs

Kids Travel to Clermont for One-of-a-Kind Competition

Central Florida Archery, Champion Clients Corner!, Lake County Florida Outdoor Activities, , , , , ,

By Weber Way to Wellness Reporter

CLERMONT, FL—-Many youths traveled one hour or more to take part in the first Bullseye Scavenger Hunt of 2016. In fact, it was the request of Izzy, a competitor of the Diamond Gorilla Archers, who asked for the return of this competition as she enthusiastically woke up early and made the long trek to Clermont to compete. She competed in this event in 2015 and calls it her favorite.

This will be the only one she is able to make this summer and she made the most of it. She is all about having fun. She hoped that she could win all while having fun and she did just that! Izzy always shows tremendous sportsmanship as she stood by her teammates as they took a win and she took a second or third place. She has been training for 2 years and this was her day to finally win BIG. Her day started at the Sundance Archery Range where she took a first overall victory out of boys and girls with her archery score of 55 points.

First and Second place males and females at Let's Tie 1 On a vendor sponsor for awards.

The first place boy was Zeke with 35 points. He is on the team “The Rising Underdogs” where he and his three teammates plan to change their name once they begin winning. Zeke is on his way to getting a team name changed. Zeke just made the first big win for his team! His brother, Nate, tied for 4th place boy overall. Zeke inspired his brother and other young boys into archery with his determined “never give up” attitude. The Rising Underdogs went into the second part of the competition involving a fun photographic scavenger hunt/photo contest and took top honors for their photos (see below).

First Place Male and Female with their awards!
First Place Male and Female with their awards!

The archer-scavenger hunters can compete in this series throughout the summer and earn points for a chance to become the overall male and female series champion and receive special awards! The top male and female archers receive awards in each competition and then there are specials prizes for all. Everyone thanks the vendors and Downtown Clermont Farmer’s Market.

See what goodies are at the Downtown Clermont Farmer’s Market below in the winning photos.

Downtown Clermont Farmer's Market

Henry placed 3rd for boys and took a top photo honor. Frank a new archer snatched a surprising second place for the boys. Cody, a top competitor in archery fitness was on the winning team for Stars & Stripes Championship and he tied for 4th place in this competition. Aisha was the 2nd place female archer and she took two top photo honors.

Downtown Clermont Farmer's Market

Contact Alicia at Awinningway@gmail.com to register for an upcoming competition.

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Clermont, Florida’s Inaugural Tag Team Archery Competition A Thrilling Event for Youth

Central Florida Archery, Lake County Florida Outdoor Activities, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Weber Way To Wellness Reporter

The enthusiasm of the X-Shots drive to run and shoot archery combined with the idea their Coach, Alicia Weber, dreamed up became a reality in December for their last day of the fall archery fitness program. Weber competed in a 5k Beach Running race where she was chased by Zombies six times. She sprinted to keep them from tagging her and she was successful in escaping from them and winning the race (first place female) and the victory was her 106th overall career victory and the inspiration for her new game “Tag Team Archery.”

Inaugural Tag Team Archery

TagTeamArcheryCLERMONT, FL—Sundance Archery Range was packed with spectators and two teams Tall and Short (which included a tall male athlete, Yeriel, and two short females from the X-Shots) and Lego Arrows (2 males with one being Bryce the 2015 male varsity Ready Aim Go Archery Champion).

The teams competed on a rolling surface. They had 4 minutes to earn as many points as possible by running 100yds successfully without getting tagged by the other team and then racking up additional points by shooting 3 arrows at 25 yards for score. The competition proved to be adrenaline pumping, action-packed, intense, and challenging.

It gave the uber athletic and competitive X-shots the excitement and running they were craving. It also attracted two new archers to join their team. In fact, one new archer, Yeriel, made the final winning shots to help his team, Tall and Short, take the victory in the inaugural tag team archery. Yeriel and another new student, Jack, were given only one quick instruction on archery and they are already excelling in their new sport with flying colors.

Play-By-Play of the Inaugural Tag Team Archery Game

Round One After both teams played their first 4 minute rounds the Lego Arrows led with a score of 30-11. Bryce of the Lego Arrows had a great round of archery to extend the lead.

Round Two The determined new archer, Yeriel, from team Tall and Short was not going to focus on how far ahead the Lego Arrows were, but instead he focused on gaining ground with each arrow. He increased his team’s score to 32 points. Tall and Short now led 32-30.

Tag Team Archery WinRound Three The third and final round was reduced to 2 minutes. Each team had all their teammates run at the same time, while trying to escape from the opposite team closing in to tag like a huge octopus. The Lego Arrows came back and took the lead 35-32. However, team Tall and Short still had their final 2 minutes of game time, where all the final action took place. All three made it thru their run successfully, which put the score to a tie of 35-35. Since, Yeriel was first to complete the run, he was first to complete his final 3 shots of archery. The time showed 1 minute and 15 seconds remaining. Yeriel, with his adrenaline pumping as he felt the pressure, hit all three arrows on target and took home the win for his team with a final score of 54-35 just in the nick of time.

“We are thrilled. We want to do this again!” exclaimed all 5 competitors as they leaped in the air. Today was just a scrimmage, but an official match is in store for the future.

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Byer Takes Record in Alicia Weber’s Archery Fitness League

Central Florida Archery, Champion Clients Corner!, Lake County Florida Outdoor Activities, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Weber Way To Wellness Reporter Photos copyrighted © AliciaWeber.com

Byer sets the record with 214x as she finishes strong with 4 bullseyes in Round 3 at 10 meters.
Byer sets the record with 214x as she finishes strong with 4 bullseyes in Round 3 at 10 meters.

Determined Indaya Byer may not have set the record in her first attempts in an archery challenge, but after a victory and 2nd place finish in summer competitions, she was ready.

Indaya Byer’s time came to set the sought after record on the morning of September 26, 2015. On a cooler, sunny day without wind, Byer broke the youth girls record by 2 points.

The challenge is a common one among youth archers, especially those in Alicia Weber’s Archery Fitness League. The archers shoot 15 arrows at 15 meters and 15 arrows at 10 meters for a total of 300 possible points.

Danielle held the record at 212xx. She was on two varsity teams and part of two world record archery relay teams.

Byer knows of Danielle and how talented she is in archery. Byer is inspired and wants to be great too. Byer has now moved up the ranks and taken the top score with 214x points.

No sighting devices are allowed on bows and all competitors use the same brand of bows – Genesis compound bows.

Byer began with 5 arrows at 15 meters followed by 5 arrows at 10 meters and repeated for 3 rounds total.

Byer in Round 3 at 15 meters. She regains her focus to pull off the record with the last 5 arrows.
Byer in Round 3 at 15 meters. She regains her focus to pull off the record with the last 5 arrows.

She was smooth sailing in round one as she finished with 70 points. Beginning in round 2, she was even more focused and she felt the “sweet spot” for aiming. She was aware of her body alignment and mastered good muscle control of holding the bow stable and pulling the string with higher resistance. She ended round 2 with 79x (149x so far).

In her final round she became shaky as finger fatigued set in at the 15 meter target. Her scores dropped off. She lowered her resistance and still felt she could muster enough points with her remaining 5 arrows at 10 meters to take this record.

She did her best ever with the remaining 5 arrows at 10 meters, scoring four bullseyes in the process. Her last round came to 65 points. The scores were tallied and they came to 214x – A NEW RECORD!!

Byer was thrilled to get this record. It made her day as she continues to focus on goals and attack many new, exciting challenges in the future.

“What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving you goals.” -Zig Ziglar

Contact Awinningway@gmail.com to join an archery program.

END OF REPORT

Vaccaro, Miller, Byer, and Warner Take Top Spots in Alicia Weber’s Final Summer 2015 Archery Competitions

Central Florida Archery, Lake County Florida Outdoor Activities, , , , , , , , , , ,

By Alicia Weber

The final Bullseye Scavenger Hunt of the summer proved to be the most exciting and challenging for youth and adult archers. They agreed it was everything they had hoped and they felt great with their results on August 23.

“The archery scavenger hunt gives something more to look forward to as kids use a combination of their focus and parent involvement in a family friendly activity,” said Ingrid Byer.

“The scavenger hunt is a great way to end the day because competitors are done with archery and now building teamwork with families and new friends,” added Ana Vaccaro.

Ninety-nine percent of the competition consisted of the archery, which took place on the Sundance Archery Range where it is sponsored. Youths and adults began the day by shooting 10 arrows at 10yds within four minutes for best score using bows without any sighting devices. All participants received prizes, but the top two males and females received additional prizes. The remaining one percent of the competition consisted of a photographic scavenger hunt, which gave points for fast walking and finding items in quick fashion at Downtown Clermont Famer’s Market. The participants worked as a team. All participants found 12 items in less than 15 minutes.

Carey Miller, Sundance Manager and Archery Sponsor, wins competition and gives high five to runner-up Indaya Byer who enjoyed competing with Miller.
Carey Miller, Sundance Manager and Archery Sponsor, wins competition and gives high five to runner-up Indaya Byer who enjoyed competing with Miller.

The top male archer was Matteo Vaccaro, 8, with his score of 64 points. Runner-Up was Cody Warner who is 6. Warner improved by 18 points from his previous competition of this same distance.The only adult in the competition was Carey Miller who won first for females with her score of 87xx and this was her first archery competition. The former Champ, Indaya Byer, took second with her score of 84x. This was the first time Byer got an “x” in competition, which is the center of the bullseye and the tiebreaker in archery. Back on August 4, Byer won an “archery fitness” challenge, which took place at National Night Out where she won a head band (which turns into an archery arm guard and finger guard).

Five competitors won various head bands during the 2015 "Archery Fitness" Challenge at National Night Out
Five competitors won various head bands during the 2015 “Archery Fitness” Challenge at National Night Out

“I felt amazing. The competition was more interesting with Carey Miller. I am glad she competed,” said Byer.

Some of the kids were longing for this competition. The competitive Matteo Vaccarro is one archer who has been waiting for this day. When he first began training seriously for archery in the spring, he would achieve 64 points after shooting nearly 100 arrows in one hour. Now, he shoots 64 points in less than 4 minutes with just 10 arrows.

“There was no pressure to win because I knew that if I lost, then my friends would win instead and I would be happy for them,” said Vaccaro who showed great sportsmanship.

“This is one sport my son enjoys the most. It’s challenging and helps him focus. The layout of this event is great because participants learn about safety and proper form in archery prior to competing, which helps them to do their best,” said Vaccaro’s mom, Ana.

One beginner, Zeke Archer, really improved after taking the free archery prep session. He really grasped the skills and brought his A game and performed very well when it really counted. Izzy Shea was the only archer shooting with a left bow, while being right-handed and left eye dominant, which is challenging for coordination. She did very well for her first-ever archery competition.

Weber reviewing Carey Miller's top score of 87xx. Miller is active in the Sundance Apt. Community as the manager where archery is sponsored. She believes everyone should take advantage of opportunities and she certainly has taken a Top Shot at this one!
Weber reviewing Carey Miller’s top score of 87xx. Miller is active in the Sundance Apt. Community as the manager where archery is sponsored. She believes everyone should take advantage of opportunities and she certainly has taken a Top Shot at this one!

Participants enjoyed the farmer’s market scavenger hunt and met new vendors including but not limited to Rent-A-Hen, Encore, Let’s Tie One On, Donna’s Doodads, and Hip Klip Cell Pocket Accessory.

“The scavenger hunt stretches your mind to look for more things. It is similar to archery. I liked going into the Encore shop where I found oversized scramble,” said Byer.

Let's Tie One On provided the prizes to the Top 2 Male and Female Archers. Left to right: Indaya Byer, Coach Alicia Weber, Matteo Vaccaro, Carey Miller (and not shown Cody Warner). Copyright @ AliciaWeber.com
Let’s Tie One On provided the prizes to the Top 2 Male and Female Archers. Left to right: Indaya Byer, Coach Alicia Weber, Matteo Vaccaro, Carey Miller (and not shown Cody Warner). Copyright @ AliciaWeber.com

“Leave your comfort zone and challenge yourself to try something new and fun. It feels awkward at first. Once you get the hang of it, then it’s a lot of fun,” said Miller who encourages adults to compete in future events, especially at the Sundance Archery Range where archery is sponsored.

Alicia Weber has year-round innovative archery and fitness programming and can be reached at Awinningway@gmail.com

Alicia Weber holds Bullseye Scavenger Hunt and Ultimate 3-D Archery Competition

Central Florida Archery, Central Florida Personal Training, Champion Clients Corner!, World Record Weber's Fitness Trainees WORLD RECORDS!, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By Alicia Weber

Kincaid and Indaya are the male and female winners in the Inaugural Bullseye Scavenger Hunt Competition held on July 26, 2015.
Kincaid and Indaya are the male and female winners in the Inaugural Bullseye Scavenger Hunt Competition held on July 26, 2015.
Dedicated archers and well-rounded athletes, Indaya Byer and Kincaid Kobel, were longing for the Inaugural Bullseye Scavenger Hunt competition. They both won with overall most points in Clermont’s first event of its kind on July 26, 2015. It began with a 10 yard archery contest at the Sundance Archery Range. Then, participants and their families drove to Historic Downtown Clermont to meet and conclude the competition with a scavenger hunt during Downtown Clermont Farmer’s Market.

The archers were not allowed to use bows with sighting devices and the highest possible score was 100 points. Byer, 12, was the winning female with her score of 86 points. Kobel, 6, was the winning male with his score of 63 points. They have been training for several months and this was their first archery competition.

“It’s exciting,” said the uber competitive Kobel who has competed in soccer, football, and karate.

“Archery helps Kincaid focus. It is a good sport for him,” said Beth, Kobel’s mom.

“It feels amazing to compete in archery for the first time,” said Byer who has competed in swimming.

“Alicia has been a great teacher. Indaya keeps improving. She has become more focused in school due to the archery and I enjoy that,” said Ingrid, Byer’s mom.

The photographic scavenger hunt was a great opportunity to bring new people to the farmer’s market since all participants have never been there before. The eager participants searched for 11 items along Montrose Street and took pictures of their finds. Byer and Kobel finished at the same time to win.

“The scavenger hunt was athletic because you are in a rush to take pictures and look for the items,” said Byer who averaged finding an item every minute and 47 seconds.

The winners received prizes from Sweets for You and Let’s Tie 1 On. The items in the scavenger hunt peaked interest in the participants to continue shopping at the farmer’s market after the competition ended.

Sweets For You is an outdoor vendor located on the intersection of Montrose and 8th Street. They have lemonade, iced tea, cinnamon roasted nuts, boiled peanuts, and other goodies. Let’s Tie 1 On has a variety of bracelets, necklaces, pendants, straps, and wraps.

“It’s a lot of different choices especially the fresh fruit and vegetables. All the vendors are so nice and some have free tastings. It’s a wonderful summer morning outing to get to know Clermont,” said Ingrid Byer who experienced the farmer’s market for the first time and looks forward to returning.

I was very happy to introduce new people to farmer’s market and see them enjoy the vendors. I want to thank Ron Smart the Executive Director of Downtown Clermont Partnerships, members of CDP, Let’s Tie 1 On, Sweets For You, and all the other vendors for their participation in this creative event.

My next Bullseye Scavenger Hunt will take place Sunday, August 23. Space is limited, but some space is still available. Children and adults are scheduled to compete. I will be offering a special prize to all participants. In addition, vendors will be giving prizes to the top male and female winners. Contact Alicia for info or to sign up for the August 23 Bullseye Scavenger Hunt at Awinningway@gmail.com.

Back on May 20, 2015, my team of archers trained five months to set the world’s first ever 7-archer Ultimate 3-D Relay for fastest time. The 7 athletes completed 6 stations of strict form exercises followed by barebow 3-D archery shooting at a 3-D deer target 10-30 yds away. Their combined archery score took time off their relay race to give a final score of completion in 4:38 for a new Recordsetter World Record.

Watch 7-Archer Ultimate 3-D Relay World Record

Join Alicia Weber’s Archery-Fitness Program or sign up for an upcoming event by contacting Awinningway@gmail.com

Health Benefits of Archery and Central Florida Archery

Central Florida Archery, Champion Clients Corner!, Fitness Challenges, Lake County Florida Outdoor Activities, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Weber Way to Wellness Reporter

WINTER GARDEN, FL—- Ten year old Hannah picked up a bow and arrow for the first time and began archery under the tutelage of Alicia Weber. Like many youth, it’s the thrill of feeling like Robin Hood and the excitement of hitting the bullseye that draws them to archery. All ability and fitness levels can take a shot and find success even people with serious disabilities find great success.

Most sports are driven by adrenaline, high energy, sweat, and peak performance. Archery is a more settled sport where calmness, focus, controlled-energy, and stillness are keys to success as the goal is repeatedly hitting the bullseye. It offers a new refreshing spin to sport.

After Hannah’s first session, she exclaimed, “This is really exciting.”

She attentively listened to ways to improve and followed through. The result was achieving a high score for a 10 and under archer in just 3 sessions.

Hannah Competes at 10m and 15m for highest score. She achieves 131 pts out of a possible 300.

Like all sports, archery builds self-confidence, social skills, teamwork, and physical development. However, people unfamiliar with archery underestimate the health benefits.

Archery can develop upper-body strength, flexibility, balance/posture, core strength, hand-eye coordination, cardiovascular fitness, and mental focus.

Upper-Body
The upper-body strength is increased depending on the draw strength of the bow and the amount of time spent shooting. Serious archery competitors may have 40lbs resistance bows or more. Recreational archers may only use 10-20lbs resistance. Most upper-body muscles are involved in the shot process including the shoulder, chest, and the back. The arm must activate muscle stabilizers to hold the bow up and out till the arrow hits the target.

Flexibility
Flexibility is increased in the fingers, hands, and the arm to hold the bow and pull the string over and over again.

Balance/Posture
Learning the proper stance in archery and repeating it to perfection is an art. The archery stance varies if one is using a compound or recurve bow, but it is necessary for accuracy and precision. Archery can certainly help one’s posture and finding one’s center of balance. The slightest moves or wrong weight shifts will throw an arrow off the target.

Core Strength
The core muscles help balance the body shot after shot. The obliques and tight torso are key to a successful shot process.

Hand-Eye Coordination
Hand-Eye coordination is an essential skill for mastery in archery. This skill is developed through a lot of regular practice.

Cardiovascular Fitness
A recreational archer practicing at 7-10 yds may not notice these benefits as much as a competitive archer who may shoot anywhere from 40yds to 70 meters. The walking distance after shooting arrows and then collecting them adds up. In competitive archery, an archer may walk 5 miles in a competition. The competitions may last 3-4 hours or longer. Archery is a unique type of endurance especially adding in the factor that you are out in the heat for hours and trying to stay focused on top shots.

Mental Focus
Mental focus is imperative to success. This is the one element that makes archery really stand out from other sports. Archery is a mind exercise where distractions need to be eliminated to be successful. A keen eye, clear concentration, and mental stability are keys to top shots, shot after shot. Of course, calculating in your mind and keeping tabs on scores requires clear thinking as well.

Archery is a great sport to make a top student-athlete. The mental training from archery can be carried over into the classroom.

Are you in Central Florida and interested in archery? Are you looking for private lessons or would you like to join a club? If so, you came to the right place. You can get private training, attend camps, and join a club. Contact Alicia at Awinningway@gmail.com for more info.

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