Fifth and sixth-grade students at École Saint-Antoine in Chicoutimi participated in an archery introduction program on Friday morning, learning focus and safety alongside marksmanship. The initiative brought young students face-to-face with the demands of the sport during their physical education classes.
Archery Lessons at École Saint-Antoine
Marc Gagnon, head coach of the Club de tir à l’arc de Saguenay, spent the week at École Saint-Antoine in the Chicoutimi borough teaching the basics of archery to students aged 10 to 12. Gagnon worked closely with each participant, adjusting their stance and guiding them through the initial steps of handling an archer’s equipment.
The program highlights the non-physical benefits of the sport, according to Gagnon. He noted that archery requires intense concentration, discipline, and reflective thinking, alongside physical exertion.
Students Follow Safety Rules to Hit Targets
Participants adhered strictly to safety guidelines established by the club coach, avoiding running or pointing bows toward classmates. Following brief instruction, several students successfully hit the center of the target.
“It’s about not being stressed, aiming well, and extending our arms, and when you let go of the string, well, it happens all by itself,” said Xavier Martel after hitting the target.
Free Training Access in Saguenay
An agreement between local schools and the archery organization allows students to practice for free at the club’s facilities several times a week. A similar arrangement has been established for the École de la Pulperie in Chicoutimi, offering ongoing training opportunities for young archers as they work to refine their technique over future sessions.
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