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Robin Hood
Amongst the tales ascribed to the mythical Robin Hood, one of the most well known is the shooting of an arrow that splits another arrow down the middle. Despite what Mythbusters declared, it is indeed possible. In Archery, we consider it a "Robin Hood", if the second arrow is embedded down the length of the first arrow's shafts. Most consider it doesn't really count if the second arrow doesn't remain attached, or just destroys the nock at the end of the arrow.
Performing one, is similar to Golf's "Hole in one". For some archers, it's a once in a lifetime experience. Again, similar to golf, some are more likely than others. e.g. On shorter holes or distances it becomes more common, at longer distance it becomes near impossible.
Other factors are also at play in archery that can make things easier and harder. For instance. wider arrows are slightly easier. The closer the distance to the target, obviously makes it easier too. Then comes the bow-type. Some bows are designed to be more accurate (Compound Bows), down to the lesser accurate Longbows etc. e.g. A "Robin Hood" of an arrow at 20m is still super impressive, but for example it's even more impressive if done by a Longbow archer, than by a Compound bow Archer.
The general consensus is it's at least a 4000 to 1 chance of happening.
Here are some of the "Robin Hood"s that have occurred at our club, and/or shot by our club members.
The most remarkable one, perhaps anywhere, was Robert Orrock, on the 22nd of August 2022. Shot at 20 metres with a Compound bow, Robert managed to get a "double" Robin Hood. He consecutively shot three arrows, one into the back of the other, producing an arrow that was made of three arrows! Conservatively, the chances of that happening are 16 million to 1! He had only purchased the arrows the day before too! Don't believe it? You can see the "very long arrow" in our club house!
Chris Kerslake managed to get his first ever Robin Hood at 60 metres, shooting with a Compound bow. That's a pretty epic shot at that distance. He also did it with his first two shots too. (22nd of April, 2023)
Chris Kerslake (left) manages to Robin Hood David Conran's (right) arrow at 50 metres during a club competition. Chris claims the arrow was blocking his path to the Gold. (28th of October, 2023)
Stephen Brown, not to be out done, shoots a Robin Hood at 40 metres with his compound bow just a handful of minutes after Mark West (see below). (2nd of October 2023)
Zackary Kerslake has a very Good Friday as he shoots his first proper Robin Hood at 40 metres. (29th of March 2024)
David Conran gets a Robin Hood at 30 metres using a Longbow. Somehow, he managed to not destroy the impacted arrow. (3rd of August 2024)
Heming Ren Robin Hoods his own arrow at 30 metres using an Asiatic (Horse) Bow. Impressive! (10th of August 2024)
David Conran gets a Robin Hood at 20 metres using a Longbow. He managed this feat while demonstrating the longbow to a class of new archers. Not only doing it in front of an audience, he actually joked to the class that you need to be descended from Robin Hood to shoot a Longbow, and the very next arrow he shot resulted in this. (15th of April 2023)
Heming Ren did another one at 20 metres with an Asiatic Bow he made himself! Not only that, It kind of entered the other arrow almost sideways, creating a big 'Y' shaped arrow! Yes. it did enter at the end of the arrow, as it split it all the way down to its resting spot. (21st of April 2025)
Dylan Gerard's first ever Robin Hood at Olipah Phiri's expense! Shot with a Barebow Recurve at 20 metres on his last end of the day. (15th of October 2023)
Salomon Keeley shoots a Robin Hood at 20 metres with his compound bow. (1st July, 2023)
James Holland shoots his first ever Robin Hood into Heming Ren's arrow at 20 metres. (14th September, 2024)
Mark Griffiths shot his first one; Indoors at 18 metres, with a compound bow. (25th of April 2022)
Mark West shot his Robin Hood at 15 metres with his compound bow while being accessed for membership of the club.
Note: We don't require this from all prospective members, but it does show you've got what it takes! (2nd of October, 2023)
David Conran shoots his first proper Robin Hood, again with a longbow at Samford, in addition to shooting an "All Gold". (7th of February, 2022)
Honorable Mentions
Honorable Mentions
Bart Brameijer almost manages a Robin Hood during a State Clout Championship. Getting your arrows to touch after being launched ~160m away is impressive enough, doing it with wooden arrows & longbow is simply amazing. (11th of August, 2024)
Zachary Kerslake managed a sideways Robin Hood by shooting through the fletch of an arrow, yet somehow the arrow stopped before hitting the target face. This is amazing in itself. Zac was shooting with a Compound Bow at the time. (29th of October, 2022)
If you're a member of our club, and you have a picture &/or story of a Robin Hood, please let us know.
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