Predator’s Archery in Downtown Gilroy
When I lived in San Jose there was an archery store/range across the street from one of my regular haunts. Whenever I’d go out for a smoke I’d find myself staring at this place and pondering what it would be like to take up archery. Sure, I’d fired a bow and arrow as a child, but never as an adult. I’m not sure why this place fascinated me or why I never actual took action, but that’s just the way life is, sometimes.
A few months back a friend moved to an apartment in downtown Gilroy. Looking out his bedroom window one gazes upon the storefront of Predator’s Archery. Once again, my curiosity was piqued. I asked my daughter, Z what she thought of trying out archery and received a lukewarm response, so let it slide. When we were trying to pick a camp for her in February we saw an archery camp, but there was absolutely no desire to attend. While at Gilligan’s Island camp over the summer Z finally got to try out archery. She loved it.
So, I dropped $30 on an hour long lesson for each of us yesterday. It was great. The shop is like any other niche retail environment - stocked to the rafters with items nearly unidentifiable to the uninitiated, full of regulars speaking the relevant lingo, and staffed by a few friendly folx willing to educate the newcomers. We got lucky that there was a class opening that evening. They’re usually booked 1-2 weeks in advance. All of the equipment was provided as well as very attentive and helpful instruction. We each shot around 40-50 arrows, our skill and accuracy slowly increasing each time we pulled our arrows from the targets.
