Normand Audet, a resident of Les Éboulements, has become the first archer to hit a target at more than 1,000 feet using a self-developed technique, Le Charlevoisien reported. Audet released a video online showcasing his feat from last summer, successfully placing an arrow inside a 122-centimeter-wide target positioned 334 yards away. C’est la première vidéo mise sur YouTube d’un tir réussi avec un arc à plus de 1 000 pieds
, the archer claims.
Audet surpasses world record using entry-level bow
While the achievement is not an official world record, the 334-yard shot surpasses the Guinness World Record of 310 yards set by Matt Stutzman in December 2015. Audet accomplished the feat using an inexpensive, entry-level bow. Self-taught in archery since 2010, the archer developed his skills entirely through independent practice and video analysis behind his home, training year-round on weekends and occasional evenings. To maintain his high level of dexterity, he practices regularly, noting that J’ai une poche de moulée sur mon terrain à 95 verges de distance
where he can send 25 arrows in succession.
Development of a custom shooting technique
To achieve the necessary range and accuracy for the shot, Audet discarded conventional long-distance archery stances. Traditional long-distance shooters lift the bow arm toward the sky while keeping the drawing hand near the cheek to extend range, a position Audet noted obscures the sights and destabilizes the aim. Instead, Audet inverted the posture by dropping the drawing hand down to his hip while extending the bow arm forward to use his adjusted sights.
“As soon as my hand moves just a tiny bit away from my hip, I no longer have strength and I cannot hold back the bowstring which then goes off with the arrow,” Audet explained regarding the instability of the stance.
Overcoming skepticism from peers
Audet developed the method despite widespread discouragement from others in the archery community. According to the archer, peers warned him that the technique defied standard arm and shoulder alignment and would ruin his accuracy. Despite the warnings, Audet tested the unconventional stance through extensive training, ultimately validating the method with his distance video.
