Sungai Lembing Rendezvous - Part 1

Field and 3D archery events are far and few in-between here in Malaysia, but it's gaining popularity among archers....

And so it begins... 

I jump at the first chance to try out field and 3D archery events organized locally. It's fun walking in the jungle and plinking foam animal targets at unmarked distances. So far, only one organizer had pulled off a great show when it comes to 3D archery.

Sometime earlier this year, I met an archer from Kuantan who made mention about a 3D shoot in Sungai Lembing, a former mining town near Pahang's state capital.

I raised the matter to my buddies who agreed to take part, so, I made the arrangements to get hold of the organizer to register for the event. 

They charge RM80 for the shoot, which is a pretty decent price considering the cost of buying foam animals for 3D course. To begin with, the animals are not cheap. A small critter can cost between RM400-600 and larger animals can go up to the thousands. So, that said, the plan was to car pool from Kuala Lumpur to Sg Lembing. We set the rendezvous at 3.30am for those living in Subang Jaya. I had to pick up another guy before 4am in the Kepong area before hitting the East Coast highway.

The plan is to arrive at Sg Lembing, have breakfast and head straight to the 3D course. None of the guys have been to this area before, so, it's a visual treat!

New gear, sleep deprivation and busted arrows!

You don't get much sleep when you have to wake up early and drive for four hours. Driving in the dark and putting full concentration on the road can be a real pain in the ass. And the safety of all the guys in the car is paramount.

It takes about four hours to get to Sg Lembing from Subang Jaya. When we arrived at town, the first order of the day, was to get a good fill on our tummies. It's going to be a real long day as we were expected to hike with our bows and arrows including archery tools and drinking water at the course.

Having savored the local fare, we were satisfied enough to head down to the resort where the event was held.

Most of the archers were already there and there were a few familiar faces. Some of the folks we met were from Kuantan. The organizer gave a briefing about the rules and the course layout and the first group was sent out. Well, to a slope where they have to shoot from an elevated position. 

Targets were placed on the ground, some 40-50 meters away. This was very interesting as the archers took turns to engage on paper targets placed downrange.

Some guys missed while a few good ones actually connected with what they have aimed at...

I had bunch of new gear to test out at this course. For shooting 3D, I have ditched my field quiver for a Rancho Safari load bearing system and arrow carrier. My bow as a brand-new CD Archery WF25X riser with Hoyt Velos #32lb limbs. And the most controversial part is using the "VAP V-1" arrows that I bought cheap from supplier in the East Coast. Small diameter target arrows do perform, but they do come with a hefty price is you send it to the wrong spot. Hit something hard, you lose the arrow. On the first day, I lost one arrow after missing a foam target from the distance of 25 meters.

The Rancho Safari Cat Quiver IV was a real life-saver. I don't have arrows rattling and dangling all over my hip and the load bearing system actually helped to relieve fatigue, something I have already been experiencing due to sleep deprivation and the long drive to Sg Lembing. 

As for our team, the rest of the guys shot pretty well. One ended up in the top-5 while the rest of us settled in the middle-ranks.

The course tested on how we would resolved on shooting in tough terrain. At some stations, you literally have to stand on a log, balance yourself and attempt to land a clean shot. Using a 70" bow, I had the limbs snagging on vegetation above me... Hahahha!

By the time we were done, it was time to head to your villa located near town. We had a couple of chilled beers before checking out a siew-yuk (roast pork) joint nearby. This eatery opens only once a week and was a real treat. 

There was a BBQ session hosted by the organizer later in the evening. We decided to enjoy the siew-yuk which turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it turned out that the BBQ was a horrible affair. 

After socializing with some fellow archers at the resort where the shoot was held, we decided to head back to town for supper and called it a day as the team event takes place the following day...