Rick Janssen's Consecutive 3D-Archery National Titles

What is 3D-Archery?

In 3D-Archery – unlike the traditional Olympic sport where archers shoot at flat bullseye targets – archers shoot at fake three-dimensional targets. Crafted in animal shapes from foam, these targets are positioned along a designated outdoor course, creating a hunting experience without any harm to actual wildlife. Each target bears a number and an assigned shooting position marked by a post. Archers must take aim from this post, and the precise distance (varying up to 55 meters) to the target remains undisclosed. A typical course consists of approximately 28 of these targets.                                                               

Rick's love for outdoor 3D-Archery

Come rain or shine, Rick prefers being outside on the course rather than shooting indoors: “A big part of what makes 3D-archery so much more enjoyable for me is being outdoors all the time. Spending time in nature is always nice and it helps me detach from school and work.” Rick, who got his first bow for his 7th birthday, has been practicing archery for more than seventeen years. He started off with an Olympic recurve, commonly used in the Olympics, and later switched to longbow which is a traditional and relatively simple form of bow that does not have the more advanced technology and design features found in modern recurve bows. While shooting 3D archery with a longbow is mentally and physically challenging, it is a popular choice for archers who enjoy the traditional aspect of archery. Furthermore, Rick emphasizes that practice makes perfect, as constant training facilitates skill development and muscle memory: “Muscle memory also comes into play with archery. Since there are no sights or aim-assistances on a longbow, all you can rely on is previous experiences with similar targets. Practicing on different targets at different distances helps with developing a feeling of where the arrow will land. Once you get a feel for it, training repetition can help narrow down the precision.” Therefore, in order to improve and maintain his level, Rick endeavours to attend as many tournaments as he can. This allows him to fine-tune and apply his skills, putting them into practice on the course.     

Aiming for success: The common thread in archery and learning

Interestingly, Rick has transposed his educational related skills into the 3D archery field. He points out that throughout his academic journey, he has honed the skill of concentrating on the immediate tasks at hand: “During my studies I have learned to focus on the tasks right in front of me”, whether it is absorbing knowledge for an upcoming exam or delivering a presentation. This ability has proven particularly valuable in the context of archery tournaments. In this setting, each target represents a unique challenge: “Every target is a new ‘test’ and I think it is important to look at them separately and treat them as such.” He emphasizes that past performances on a previous target cannot be altered, and the outcomes on subsequent targets lie in the future. The only thing within his control is the present target, thus, he finds a striking resemblance between an archery competition and the process of studying. Rick will attempt to defend his title again next year. He enjoys participating in the national championships as it allows him to prove to himself that the hard work and sacrifices, he has made ultimately pay off – especially when victorious. Congratulations to Rick and best of luck to keeping his winning streak going!