Shooting targets is fun and safe at Northcliff Air Rifle Club

NORTHCLIFF – Fun and safety are the order of the day at Northcliff Air Rifle Club.

February 15, 2019

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Dewald Minnaar shows where he shot the targets.

The Northcliff Air Rifle Club is still one of the safest and most relaxing places to learn to shoot a target with precision.

Every day, friends meet up to talk about air rifles, catch up on each other’s days possibly over a braai, and shoot targets between 5m and 50m away on the two ranges.

Often, the men and women are preparing for the weekend tournaments that happen outside of Joburg. Sometimes, there are groups of youngsters shooting air rifles for the first time.

But always there is an experienced person on hand to make sure every safety protocol is followed. In more than 10 years, the club has kept a perfect accident-free record.

Mark Fairon often visits the Northcliff Air Rifle Club to shoot at targets.

“When someone goes forward to collect a target no one touches a gun, because untouched guns do not fire,” said Dave Brooke, who runs the club. “We put the guns down in a way that is safe and stable. We appreciate that some children are hard of hearing when they are excited so we be extra careful with youngsters.”

Besides air rifle lessons and social target shooting, the club has monthly competitions. Here, the winner places their page of used targets up on a board for all to see for the month.

“This is just for kudos or bragging rights, we only have sponsored prizes now and then.” Club members take their shooting very seriously and the competition can be very close.

Dewald Minnaar, Mark Fairon and Dave Brooke are regularly seen shooting at Northcliff Air Rifle Club.

When a score is disputed, it is often up to members to use magnifying glasses to see how many of the shots completely erased the ink on the bullseye. If any ink is left, it is not deemed a perfect score.

The club is wheelchair friendly and provides a safe and fun way for members to unwind after work or during the weekend. Currently, many club members are gearing up for the North West Open in March and the National Trials for field targets during the week of Easter.

Brooke invited anyone interested in trying out air rifle shooting to contact the club.

Details: Northcliff Air Rifle Club 072 659 2333.

WATCH: The best female shot in SA.