LONG BEACH — Destani Richmond concentrated on the target as she slid the arrow into the nock and began to draw back her bow, pausing momentarily to carefully aim before releasing the string, sinking her arrow several inches into the foam target 30 yards away with the signature ‘swish-thump!’
For Richmond, one of the best parts of archery is the sense of power the sport provides.
“Just the thrill of it,” said Richmond, 14, holding her compound bow while standing next to her older brother, Patrick, who introduced her to archery only a few months earlier. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.”
Richmond, of Ocean Park, represents a new generation of archers taking aim at Bear River Archers, a traditional sports club that’s experienced a revival of sorts as a rising number of local youth show a growing interest in the sport.
Pre-archery courses popular with kids, adults
The archery club, located at 85th and Sandridge beside the Lone Fir Cemetery in Long Beach, has existed since 1984 and currently has 69 members that enjoy a sprawling and challenging 28 acres that contains five courses, including a continuous 900 & 600, Indoor “5” spot, 40 3-D targets, and field and hunter units.
“The bulk of the course is open year-round to members,” said club president Arnie Wray during their annual trophy shoot, held July 17-18.
The club has experienced growth in recent months, particularly with the youth archery courses.
“We had a huge change last year with our pre-archery course,” Wray said. “We had 25 at the first shoot and 18 at the second.”
Free, family-friendly intro archery course
The club is continuously seeking to grow membership and introduce more people to archery through free, family-friendly introductory archery courses offered at the beginning of the month, Wray explained.
“Coming up on Aug. 1 — and every first Saturday during this time — we have a free, introductory archery class open to the public from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m noon,” Wray said. “They don’t need to bring a bow, just come on in.”
The club can provide adjustable practice bows, suited for the strength of each child or adult.
“And it’s a good, reliable, training bow,” Wray said. “It’s the NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) standard.”
The club is seeking more bow equipment donations to further expand their free archery classes.
“We’re taking all the donated equipment and putting it into local hands,” added club member Brian West.
Trophy shoot winners, upcoming club events
The archery club held their annual trophy shoot on Saturday and Sunday, July 17-18, where a trio of sharp-eyed shooters walked away with bear-emblazoned trophies, including Ryan Foster, winner of the the freestyle division with a score of 642; Ron Barchi, winner of the hunter division with a score of 534, and Destani Richmond, winner of the youth division with a score of 409.
Archers earned points (up to 10) for each target on the course, with penalties accessed for missed shots on hitting improper targets. Challenge shots — some with foam centers surrounded by arrow shattering-cement — added an extra level of risk and reward.
“There’s a fun part to the nervous part,” Wray said.
Electronic scorecards automatically enter archers for annual prizes, with the winners published in a local newsletter to more than 500 local archers.
The club holds four special weekend events during the year, including in May, June, July (trophy shoot) and August (last chance 3D shoot).
“The shoot in August is a last chance for the hunters to sharpen their skills before they go out and have some fun,” Wray said.
‘Something I’ve always wanted to do’
Richmond, the winner of the youth archery trophy shoot, has been shooting for about four months after first being introduced to the sport by her brother, Patrick Lucero.
Richmond scored 197 on the opening day of the trophy shoot (out of a potential 360), then scored a 212 on the second day to earn a total score of 409, the highest in the youth division. The ‘downhill’ was shot one Richmond considers among the most challenging on the course.
“That one always gets me,” Richmond said regarding the tricky 20-yard downhill shot that features a ‘severe’ angle while shooting from a hillside.
“It plays tricks with you.”
2026 Bear River Archery Trophy Shoot Winners:
Freestyle Division
Ryan Foster (642 score), 1st place
Russ Buck (592 score), 2nd place
Hunter Division
Ron Barchi (534 score), 1st place
Youth Division
Destani Richmond (409 score), 1st place