So, for some background information.  The hows and whys of this webpage.  My name is Janice, I am 53 years of age, 5'4" tall, with red hair (this week), and the rest is subject to change without notice.  The reason that I and fellow women archers thought we should start up a website is all because of Lindsay.  See, we have to blame someone, and it is all her fault.  In the spring of this year, 2008, Lindsay was asked to set up an archery booth at the Women's Show here in Calgary, Alberta.  So, she wrangled up a bunch of us, and we put together a pretty awesome booth.  Both Lindsay and I were astounded by the number of women who came forward to volunteer and help us show the general public that archery is a fantastic sport.  Young or old, in great shape, or like me, in shape (pear is a shape, isn't it?).  What I am trying to get across here, with humour, is that it truly does not matter.  There is a bow for everyone.  So, back to the reason for this website.

You really must not let me ramble on like that.  Where was I? Oh yes.

So, we had all these women volunteers, a lot of equipment, pictures, medals, some small give a way type items and information.  We were a BIG hit at the Women's Show, and I am pretty sure we had the busiest booth there, at least it seemed so to us.  There were a lot of questions, a lot of interest, and a whole lot of fun.  So, afterward, we sat around and talked, as women are wont to do, and thought a website for women archers would be ideal.  There are women out there who would love to be involved in a sport/hobby where competition is not mandatory.  Where fun and laughter are important.  I'm not saying archery doesn't have to be competitive, there are lots of competitions should you want to be involved in those, but, you don't have to be.  The only person you are trying to be better than, is yourself.

So, you are asking yourself, how did this little old lady get involved in archery?  Well, years and years ago, my youngest daughter decided she would like to try archery, and being the good parent I was (ahem), I went along.  Oh what fun we had.  But, unfortunately, like all things, time moved on and more important things got in the way, in my daughter's case, it was moving away from home, getting married and having my wonderful grandson, Alexander.  But I digress.  So, I stopped going as well.  However, a number of years later, about five ago, a friend of mine decided she would like to try, as I had mentioned it in a story I was telling.  So, off we went, with our husbands.  Now, her husband didn't find it all that much fun, but mine did.  My husband and I have been archers ever since.  He is 64 and just adores the sport.  We go on average about three times a week to an indoor range during the winter months (as I am a wimp and hate the cold), and try to get the outdoor range (more on that later), at least once a week during the summer months.  Archery for my husband and myself is awesome.  It keeps us busy, moving and away from that darned box with the moving pictures and sound in the corner of our living room.  We have met some wonderful people I am honoured to call my friends, and I have never been involved in a sport where everyone is so helpful, kind, considerate and so supportive of learning the sport.

And THAT is how I came to be an archer.