By Laura Michell
Doreen youngster Shaylen Lowe is at home shooting a bow.
The 10-year-old first picked up a bow four years ago, quickly developing a love for 3D archery.
Unlike traditional archery, 3D archery is a field-based sport in which 3D lifelike animal targets are set up on a course over several kilometres of bushland. The targets are at unmarked distances, requiring archers to judge how far the target animal is from them. Competitions take place over an entire weekend.
Shaylen has 78 state records and five national records for archers under 13 to her name, and was recently named the Australian Bowhunters Association state champion for her age group.
In November, she will travel to Coffs Harbour to compete in the 3D Archery Association of Australia’s national finals, where she is hoping to finish in the top three. She is also heading to Norfolk Island next year for a week-long competition, ahead of a trip to Las Vegas in 2020 for a 3D safari competition.
Shaylen, who is a member of Diamond Valley Archers in Yarrambat, said she took up archery after watching her sister shoot off horseback at pony club camp.
“I have loved archery since I first tried it. I love shooting my compound bow and I love going away camping with my friends to shoot and I love walking the bush track, exploring and finding where the next target is hidden in the bush,” she said.
“My favourite animal to shoot is the turkey and the crocodile. I like shooting up into trees and down steep hills too because it makes it interesting and you never know where or what the next target is until you get to it.”
