Production Champs were held again in River City (Wanganui)
Dave, Derek, Aaron & myself embarked on the journey on Friday afternoon in the pouring rain that looked to potentially put a damper on the weekend.
After checking into the motel and doing the usual munchies & booze run, we headed off to dinner at the Cosi, then back for a few drinks & to watch the footy at the motel. And yes... it was still raining.
Early wake up on Saturday morning.... and yes... still raining
So we got our kits ready & headed out to the range, and low & behold, the rain started to ease !!
We were joined by Ray as well... which made a total of 5 shooters from Porirua in attendance.
Registration was done, squads were sorted, the general chit chat with our fellow shooters that we haven't seen for a while, then time for briefing. The squad leaders did their walk through and shooting began at 10.
12 stages was the call for the next 2 days, with the plan being 9 complete for day 1, and the balance the next day.
The stages were a mix of simple through to challenging and low & behold, pleantly of opportunities for the 'muppet' factor to arise... and yes... I decided to take the muppet challenge.... TWICE !!
Well we knocked out 5 stages before we stopped for lunch. WPC put on a BBQ which was greatly appreciated by all as the weather was still chilly(ish), but thankfully dry.
The final 4 stages of the day flew by & we were actually done for the day just after 3pm.
As we had made our lunch for the day, that became our dinner for the evening, so needless to say, we just hung around the motel, ate, drank, laughed & watched the box. Marg T joined us in Wanganui that afternoon as well...
Day 2... Wake up to a beautiful morning with very little cloud and the thought that it was going to be a warm day !
3 stages to go. Shooting started again around 10am and the morning went swiftly with the stages & we were done before mid-day !
Prize giving then ensued and 3 members of PPC walked away with prizes.
Aaron took out 1st place in A grade and finished 5th overall
Ray took out 1st place in Super Senior and finished 15th overall, and
I took out 1st place in Ungraded and finished 16th overall.
So a big thanks to the team at Wanganui for another superb shoot, great courses etc & we look forward now to Nationals in a few weeks time !!
My big lessons out of this competition...
Lesson # 1.... Sometimes it doesn't matter how many times you walk a course, or how much you plan it in your head, you can still run right past a port & miss it altogether..... Take your time & engage the course.
Lesson # 2.... if the above happens to you, make sure you go back & finish the course... lost points can be expensive !! The time will cost you, but not as heavily as missed targets. If I hadn't of gone back & engaged the missed port, I would have been hit with 2x procs & 4x Mikes on the last stage... & that would have cost me dearly in placings !!
Lesson # 3.... AIM... DON'T POINT !! My other muppet was on stage 3 which meant I was shooting for 35 points instead of 75 through having too many Mikes & PT's.... Again... slow down & aim the pistol !!
Anyway... Bring on Nationals now.... I'm looking forward to the next competition of the year !
Cheers
Reuben - PPC President
Monday, October 12, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Interclub with WRGC - 27 Sept
PPC were invited to do an 'interclub' style shoot with Wgtn Rifle & Gun on their range day.
4 members of the PPC turned up (Dave, Jan, Angus & myself) along with 7 members from WRGC.
We setup a couple of nice easy courses on top range (El Pres + 4x steel animals). The WRGC guys had 5 stations setup for their clays.
The team was split into 2 squads and then headed off to the ranges to 'have a go'
Instruction was provided both ways on how to do each others discipline, and the COFs were engaged.
As per usual, a lot of fun was had by both sets of clubs in engaging each others styles.
One thing that I definately learnt.... I am NOT a clay bird shooter... LOL
I suppose with anything, practice would definately increase my hit rate (although it couldn't have been much worse)... but still it was great fun as I do enjoy hanging off the end of a 12guage every now & then.
Ian & I talked about making this a bit more of a regular event, and I can see the merits in doing this... the idea will be pursued further !!
It is always beneficial to shoot other styles and introduce people to what we shoot, and it is something that I definately encourage others to do.... get out there & give it a go... there is more to shooting than just your discipline !
4 members of the PPC turned up (Dave, Jan, Angus & myself) along with 7 members from WRGC.
We setup a couple of nice easy courses on top range (El Pres + 4x steel animals). The WRGC guys had 5 stations setup for their clays.
The team was split into 2 squads and then headed off to the ranges to 'have a go'
Instruction was provided both ways on how to do each others discipline, and the COFs were engaged.
As per usual, a lot of fun was had by both sets of clubs in engaging each others styles.
One thing that I definately learnt.... I am NOT a clay bird shooter... LOL
I suppose with anything, practice would definately increase my hit rate (although it couldn't have been much worse)... but still it was great fun as I do enjoy hanging off the end of a 12guage every now & then.
Ian & I talked about making this a bit more of a regular event, and I can see the merits in doing this... the idea will be pursued further !!
It is always beneficial to shoot other styles and introduce people to what we shoot, and it is something that I definately encourage others to do.... get out there & give it a go... there is more to shooting than just your discipline !
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