Archery and Blowgun in Miramas: Compagnie des Archers de la Crau Transitions to Outdoor Season

As the spring weather settles over the Provence region, the Compagnie des Archers de la Crau is making its annual shift toward the open air. For this Miramas-based association, April marks a pivotal transition in the training calendar, moving athletes from indoor facilities to the expansive distances of the outdoor range.

Based in Miramas, France, the club has established itself as a local fixture for precision sports since 1989. While many clubs focus solely on the bow, the Compagnie des Archers de la Crau maintains a dual identity, offering training in both archery—spanning classic and compound styles—and the more niche discipline of blowgun (sarbacane) shooting.

The Shift to Pas de Tir Concorde

The arrival of April brings a change in venue and a significant increase in technical challenge. Training sessions move to the pas de tir Concorde, where archers can push their limits with distances reaching up to 50 meters. This transition is essential for members looking to refine their accuracy and wind-reading capabilities, which are absent in indoor settings.

For those unfamiliar with the sport, moving to a 50-meter range requires a different tactical approach to equipment tuning and physical stability. It is the period where the “sun of April” becomes both a backdrop and a factor in the athletes’ performance.

Training Structure and Accessibility

The club operates a structured training regimen designed to accommodate different skill levels, ensuring that newcomers are not overwhelmed while experienced shooters continue to progress. All primary training sessions are held at the Complexe Saint Suspi, located on chemin du Creux in Miramas.

The current weekly schedule is divided as follows:

• Beginners: Monday and Wednesday, from 17:30 to 19:00.
• Confirmed Archers: Monday and Wednesday, from 17:30 to 21:00.

To lower the barrier to entry for local residents, the association offers two free trial sessions. This allows prospective members to experience the discipline and test their aptitude before committing to a formal license.

Affiliations and Competitive Framework

The Compagnie des Archers de la Crau does not operate in isolation; it is integrated into the broader French sporting landscape through affiliations with both the UFOLEP and the FFTA (Fédération Française de Tir à l’Arc). These partnerships provide the club with a standardized framework for competition and certification.

The club’s commitment to competition is evident in its planning, with schedules already being established for the 2025-2026 UFOLEP competition season. This long-term planning ensures that athletes have clear milestones to work toward as they transition from the practice range to official tournaments.

Community and Support

Beyond the technical aspects of the sport, the club relies on local partnerships to maintain its operations. The association has publicly acknowledged the support of SAFERM Miramas, highlighting the role of local business confidence in sustaining community sports programs.

For those interested in joining or learning more about the club’s activities, official information and membership details are available via the Compagnie des Archers de la Crau official website.

The next major milestone for the club will be the continued rollout of its outdoor training program throughout the spring, leading into the competitive cycles of the upcoming season.

Do you practice archery or blowgun shooting? Share your experiences with outdoor transitions in the comments below.