Events | Ray's Atlatls and Darts

Jul

19

Doug Bassett’s 98XXXX ISAC

Recently, Doug Bassett of New York State, scored a 98XXXX in an ISAC contest (International Standard Accuracy Competition) which is a World Atlatl Association contest in which each atlatlist throws a dart 5 times from 15 meters and 5 times from 20 meters at a target about 4 feet in diameter, numbered 6 to 10X from the outside in. This is done in round robin fashion in which he/she who throws first next throws last, rotating back to first after each thrower has a chance of throwing first. Basically, every throw is a cold throw, just as it would be in a hunting situation. The maximum possible score is 100 with 10 x’s. Since this contest started in 1996, no one has ever scored higher than 98. No one has ever thrown a perfect 100, x’s or no x’s.

The X ring is inside the 10 ring and is about 3 inches in diameter. At 15 or 20 meters it presents an extremely small target. The X ring is suppose to provide for tie breaking, but mostly, it serves as bragging rights, and anyone who gets more than 3 X’s in a contest, regardless of total score, has a lot to brag about.

In the download below, Doug tells his own story about what it was like, dart by dart, stepping up to the throwing line, trying to rid the mind of all the distractions and cobwebs, and gather the concentration needed to put all the many technical steps of the throwing motion together to get that dart to the center of the target. This good atlatl and dart education. Enjoy.

Download Doug’s Story Here

Posted by Ray Strischek | 0 comments

Mar

27

Ohio Atlatl Association Events Schedule for 2011

Events / News

Posting a tentative 2011 Ohio Atlatl Association list of events (dates and places) from Debbie Andrews, Ray Strischek, Mamerto Tindongan, and Steve Barnett…

4/17 (Sunday) Wooster
4/30 Leo Petroglyph
5/13 Lake Hope
6/4 Athens Library
6/10-13 Fort Firelands
6/24-25 Athens Library
7/15-17 Flint Ridge
8/12 That Dam ISAC
8/13-14 Albany Riding Club
9/2-4 Flint Ridge
9/16-18 PawPaw Festival
10/7-9 Hocking Hills PowWow
10/15 Hopewell Discovery Days (not yet confirmed)
10/28-29 ROAR

Posted by Ray Strischek | 0 comments

Oct

11

Hopewell Discovery Day

Events

This weekend Ray Strischek had a good time demonstrating the atlatl to kids. It was Hopewell Discovery Day — Chillicothe, Ohio.

This year’s Hopewell Discovery Day had ranger-led earthwork tours, meet-and-greets with archaeologists, kids’ activities, flint knapping and atlatl — or spear-throwing — demonstrations.

More at The Chillicothe Gazette

Posted by Ray Strischek | 0 comments

Sep

05

Ray Strischek and Flint Ridge Atlatling in The Columbus Dispatch

Events / News / Whatever

What did you do this Labor Day weekend? If you were my dad, Ray Strischek, “former world champion” atlatlist, you made your annual pilgrimage to the Flint Ridge Knap-In and had a ton of fun atlatling, teaching kids to throw with the atlatl, and probably geting really sun-burnt. (Redheads. We never learn.)

Many thanks to my buddy, Chris, for sending along a link to some nice atlatl reporting The Columbus Dispatch posted yesterday about the Knap-In and my dad’s 15-year love of the game.

Here’s an excerpt from the story:

The demonstrations certainly were a hit with the McMurphy boys; Austin, 13; Trenten, 11; and 9-year-old Ethan were quickly practicing their throwing technique at the large square targets.

Trenten said he could understand why prehistoric people used the weapons for hunting, as even his light throws were burying the spears deep into the thick, fiberboard targets. He soon had developed his own throwing style, and practicing even through a brief downpour.

“You have to keep your arm pointed at the target and move your arm forward like you’re swatting a fly,” he said, demonstrating his style. “It’s pretty easy, and very fun.”

I like that fly-swatting analogy! I often find it difficult to describe the technique.

If you live in the area and missed the event this year, be sure to put it on your calendar for 2011.

Posted by Cory Strischek | 0 comments

Apr

15

2010 Ohio Atlatl Association Events

Events / News

Thanks to Debbie Andrews for this list of 2010 Ohio Atlatl Association Events… Want to print this out? Download the PDF here.

(Events to be added when scheduled. If you have questions, please contact Ray.)

April 24

College of Wooster
Behind Lowry Student Center
Beall Ave/University St.
Wooster, OH

In conjunction with College of Wooster’s Archeology Day, OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Event has moved sites on campus to behind Lowry Student Center. Campus map shows parking off of University Street east of Beall Ave.
May 1-2

Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

First Hocking College Atlatl Competition, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Saturday, 11:am –4:00 pm Sunday. ISAC, IASAC, and Ohio contests both days. Free Camping available. Contact Corey Merritt (Hocking College Atlatl Club) or Mamerto Tindongan (Ohio Altatl Association).

May 14-16

8th Annual Kentucky Knap-In
Jacobson Park (Shelter 7)
4001 Athens-Boonesboro Rd.
Lexington KY

OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals.

June 12-13

Fort Firelands RV Park
5850 E. Harbor Rd.
Marblehead, OH 43440

OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals.

June 25-26

Athens Public Library
Home Street
Athens, Ohio 45701

OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. 9:00 – 5:00 each day, Friday and Saturday.

July 2-4

Hueston Woods State Park
(Old Softball Field near the riding stables)
College Corner, Ohio

OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals.

July 17-19

Flint Ridge State Park
Brownsville, OH
OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon.

August 13

Steve Barnett’s House near Albany, Ohio
That Dam ISAC – IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals.

5:00 pm – dark (or thereabouts).

August 14-15

Albany Riding Club, Albany, OH

Eleventh Annual Albany OH Atlatl Contests – OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. Camping available at nearby Lake Snowden, Albany.
September 3-5

Flint Ridge State Park
Brownsville, OH

Flint Ridge Lithic Society Knap-In. – OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Lots of booths, flintknapping, crafts, etc. Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

September 17-19

Lake Snowden
Rt. 32
Albany, OH

Twelfth Annual Ohio PawPaw Festival – OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Lots of booths, crafts, pawpaw food and information. Friday evening (4:00) for atlatl, through Sunday afternoon. Admission fee per car.

October 29-30

Zaleski State Forest, Lake Hope State Park, Zaleski, Ohio

Ohio ROAR Days – OAA will provide instruction and conduct atlatl accuracy contests. IASAC, ISAC, and Ohio locals. Lots of booths, crafts, pawpaw food and information. Friday evening (4:00) for atlatl, all day Saturday. Camping available.

Posted by Ray Strischek | 1 comments

Mar