Combat archery 'paintball' in Wellington

[NigelT]

Ladies and Gentlemen. Following on from the huge success of combat archery at NAAMA, I'd like to run a combat archery day in Wellington. This could involve all sorts of things, depending on what people want to do. Capture the flag, target practise, etc.

The focus is on heavy combat archery, not on light, but there are options to involve everyone depending on which site we choose. We are happy to help you make temporary or permanent additions to whatever current armour you have. Remember the requirement is for full-face helm or equivalent padding with 1.6mm thick mesh with holes of 5mm diameter or smaller for your eyes/face, and of course a gorget. If you're not sure, see the combat archery rules in the 'Reference' forum. There are a couple of local(ish) sources of mesh that we can point you to.

We have two possible locations, each very different.

Option 1: Wrights Hill Fortress
We've been given the green-light to use Wrights Hill Fortress. Built during World War Two, the Fortress consists of an underground network of tunnels, operation rooms and three gun emplacements. Never fired in anger the guns were removed in the '60's but the emplacement pits and 620 meters of underground tunnels remain. Due to the low ceiling light combat archery is just not possible - only direct fire will be of any use, therefore heavy combat archery only. People with shields are welcome to come join in - the archers could use the cover. However, strictly no swords, spears, or anything that could damage walls etc. This is a historic site and we don't want to break it.

Here are some photos:
http://www.whfrs.org.nz/album001.html
http://capitaldefence.orcon.net.nz/prfles/post1930/wrthil3.htm

Here is a map of the tunnels:
http://capitaldefence.orcon.net.nz/prfles/post1930/wrthil2.htm


Option 2: Amongst the trees in Totara Park
We have a good relationship with a farmer in Totara Park who has a large amount of land nestled at the base of the bush covered hills in Totara Park, Upper Hutt. There is a variety of terrain up there which could be used for combat archery, including amongst the trees with grass underfoot so we're not fighting through scrub.

This site is privite and therefore we can do anything we like there - if people want to take general combat kit, target archery kit, light combat archery, etc, it can all be accomodated.


Option 3? - Do you have a suggestion? Let me know.



Right. Who's keen? If we go for the Wrights Hill Fortress option it will cost us about $250 for two hours use, so the more people we get the cheaper it'll be for everyone when we divide the cost up. Ideally we'd like 20 people with heavy combat kit. The fort is only open to the public four times a year with an admission charge, so this way we have the place to ourselves and we get to fight in it.

If we go for the Totara Park option we've potentially got the place all day and the cost to us will probably be a couple of dozen beer to the owner so it's a bit cheaper. There are no facilities on site however, so regular raids into Upper Hutt might be on the cards.


The other thing that hasn't been set is the date. I'm thinking sometime in December, but I also appreciate that December is a busy time for people and there will be people who want to join in but will need time to get their kit organised. So give me some suggestions.

If people want to travel from out of town to participate let me know and we'll find you a floor to crash on overnight.

Cheers,
Nigel

[shoelessgirl]

Hi Nigel. I've voted Totara Park in January or later, as by that stage I should have sorted out some gear. I wouldn't be available any earlier, and at Totara Park I might at least have the option of light combat if I'm not fully up to scratch

[Angel]

I'm keen for all of it. Wright's Hill has my primary vote, but I don't actually mind when it is. Totara Park would be fine with me too, but it's my second choice.

[stephan]

some one needs to do this in auckland
closest we have is the fiveoaks touney archary compition and genral shoot

[NigelT]

Well, we'll support you as best we can from down here if you want to encorporate a heavy archery game into the tourney. All you need to do is rev people up and get them kitted up for it (archery mesh, gorget, etc). You should have at least a half dozen people up there already who could drag out something legal and give it a go or lend it to someone who want to have a go.

Nigel