Crack shot girls!
WE were a less than confident group at the start, all convinced we would prove to be a cack-handed lot.
But after only a few minutes' instruction, flying clays vanishing into the distance at 60 miles per hour were being satisfyingly shattered.
By the end of the session, each complete novice had at least one hit under her belt, a sore shoulder and a strong sense of achievement.
Rob, who set up his mobile clay pigeon shooting business in 2002, is finding more and more women are interested in trying their hand.
He has also found they are often better than men. "My top lady shooter regularly travels 40 miles and is consistently hitting more clays than 85 per cent of my male shooters," he said.
One of his most accomplished shots is 59-year-old Gail Wright, of Terrington St Clement, who says confidence is the key. "You just need to believe you can do it."
A self-confessed "late-starter," she took up clay pigeon shooting when she retired from the civil service four years ago. "My husband bought me a voucher and I found I absolutely loved it," she said.
Gail now shoots every four weeks or so and has just bought her own gun from Rob.
She showed the way for the debuting markswomen, who were each given 13 shots, five pairs and a treble to finish.
Putting on ear protectors and lining up the sights on a Beretta semi-automatic shotgun, we certainly felt the part of latterday Annie Oakleys.
The top scorer was Carrie Turner (19), of Friars Street, Lynn, who works in The Body Shop in Lynn. After achieving hits with eight of her shots, including three in a row in the final treble, she said: "It was brilliant. I really enjoyed it."
Her colleague Michelle Fisher (28), of Fen Road, Watlington, managed a single hit. "I wish I'd hit a few more but it was really good fun," was her comment.
Friends Tracy Dawson, of Wootton Road, Gaywood, and Jennifer Annison, of Willow Road, Downham, were both fulfilling a long-held ambition to try clay pigeon-shooting.
Jennifer (48), who works for the Department of Work and Pensions, achieved two hits. She said: "It's made me want to have another go."
Tracy (46), a lettings agency worker, was a more natural shot who notched up seven hits. "It was exciting and really gets your adrenaline going," was her verdict.
Businesswoman Julie Ford (33), travelled from Dereham to try her hand and was pleased to have hit one clay.
My own experience was a mixed one. I shot low, I shot high and was beginning to fear I would be the first of Rob's pupils in two years to miss every clay.
Then my seventh shot hit the mark and I heard the words I had been waiting for: "Dead bird!" Then I shot a double in the final treble.
To encourage more female participation, Rob is offering a prize including a free tuition session for the 300th woman to hit her first clay at her first attempt. He can be contacted for more information about the prize, bookings and rates on: 07762 159520
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light snow
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