Defensive pistol shooters hone skills at local range on weekend

Despite the fact that many residents of the city took the opportunity to spend the Easter weekend away from home, 14 members of the Northern Defensive Pistol Club preferred to spend an hour or two in the sun to hone their shooting skills at the Polokwane shooting range on Saturday.
Range Officer for the event, Victor Becker said that it was a formal shooting event and that the shooters each fired 50 shots at 23 different targets that were located on three different ranges.
“Defensive Pistol Shooting is a sport for young and old and our youngest shooter on Saturday was only 10 years old,” Becker said.
The sport started within South Africa in May 2001 and has grown to an active 1 000 odd shooters in 26 active clubs shooting over 300 matches a year. It is geared for easy entry to a novice shooter with New Shooter Orientations provided to facilitate easy and safe participation for all levels of shooters.
The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is the governing body of this shooting sport that simulates self-defence scenarios and real life encounters. It was founded in 1996 as a response to the desires of shooters worldwide.
One of the unique facets of this sport is that it is geared toward the new or average shooter, yet is fun, challenging and rewarding for the experienced shooter. The founders developed the sport so that practical gear and practical guns may be used competitively.
An interested person can spend a minimal amount on equipment and still be competitive because the main goal is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship.
Becker confirmed that the results of the event will be published on the Sadpa website www. sadpa.co.za in due course.

Story, photos and video: BARRY VILJOEN
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