Pasadena’s Field Archery Range Oldest Range in the U.S.

Fun Fact: the 1938 Robin Hood movie from Warner Brothers, starring Errol Flynn, had several scenes filmed in this Pasadena range.

By Aiden Ford

You’ve seen archers in movies, TV shows, comics, and even read about them in a variety of stories, but how much experience do you have with the real thing? Archery is certainly not in the spotlight when it comes to the most popular sports in the world, but as a sport that is featured in the Olympics, it has without a doubt earned the right to attention. It is a sport I would recommend everyone try at least once.

And the process to try is much easier than you think. In the arroyo, a short drive down the road from the Rose Bowl, is the home of the Pasadena Roving Archers. Established in 1935, it is the oldest existing field archery range in the United States.  The range consists of 28 predetermined course targets that vary in distance.

The PRA offers a beginning archers class every Saturday. Once this class is taken you will be allowed to attend weekly returning archery lessons on Saturday mornings. There is a fee, of course, unless membership is purchased. This, however, is affordable in comparison to other club sports. Membership costs only $75 for a minor or student enrolled in a college in Pasadena.

The PRA is affiliated with the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, the National Field Archery Association, and USA Archery. The PRA serves over 10,000 archers per year with over 400 dedicated members.

This range is also home to the PRA Junior Olympics Archery Development team, a competitive team with archers ranging from ages eight to 20. This team has roughly 40 active members who attend weekly lessons from certified level 4 coaches, some of the best in South California. Archers from this team regularly attend competitions all over California and even attend several out-of-state tournaments throughout their time. Some of the most notable being the California State Championships in Tulare, the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships in Chula Vista, and the International Championships in Las Vegas.

Instructors and coaches of levels one through four can be found here in Pasadena volunteering and helping aspiring archers without pay. This is a rare opportunity that cannot be found easily, especially given that level 4 coaches have the right to charge well over $100 an hour if they wish.

All those found on the range have a true passion for the sport and are more than willing to lend a helping hand to any in or who wish to join this community. There is a level of comradery that cannot be found anywhere else and all one has to do in order to experience this is to reach out.

Personally, archery has changed my life for the better. I have gained friends, connections, and a true passion for a sport that I had not been able to develop before. Granted, it is not meant for everyone, and it may not be the perfect match for you as it was for me, but you never know until you try.

Aiden Ford is a Marshall Fundamental Junior and an archery State medalist.