Yes, Summer is the time when most of us think of the beach and an escape from the heat of the sun in the cool of the sea.

Our local marksmen are no exception as they grabbed the opportunity to go to the sea side and contest the “Summer by the Sea” at Warrnambool and Port Campbell followed by the No 11 DRA prize shoot at the Werribee range.

One of the features of a seaside break is the sea breeze. This year the breeze was up to gale force as front after front swept across Bass Straight and the rifle ranges near the coast.

The Eat Central District Rifle Association shooters reported that it was an experience to see the flags straight out from the poles and that was when the wind was gentle.

A time for the note book and careful observation to keep those tiny projectiles in the centre of the target almost a kilometre away.

Marty Kelly led the way as he took on the challenge of the “Summer By The Sea” shoot contested between Christmas and New Year , 15 matches over four days.

They call it a marathon and there cannot be a more apt name for this shooting competition. A total of 150 scoring shots. Marty reflected that it was a time to focus on one match at a time and one shot at a time.

The conditions were challenging and when you could read them it was a case of trusting your experience and winding on the sight adjustments needed and shoot.

Marty was “cock of the walk” for the F class T/R as he won the “South West Victorian Championships in F T/R” with 169.8 , “The Jim Cue Marathon” shooting at 300 , 500 , 600 , 700 800, and 900 yards, Marty Kelly 1st place in F Class T/R with 336.15 followed by “The short Range Aggregate” 30, 500 and 600 yards Marty Kelly 2nd in F T/R with 169.9.

Then the grand aggregate for the four days Marty Kelly 1st in F T/R with 840.49. Marty said it was defiantly one of the toughest competitions he had been part of.

The conditions were so different to those found inland both light and wind were constantly changing and if the flag said 14 points, then you put 14 points on and only let the shot go when the conditions matched the sight adjustment.

He said the constant adjustment and concentration was very tiring and his consistency was what carried the day as there were not many possible scores in the entire four days.

Encouraged “to have a go” Terry Gee, Brian Houlihan and Phil Watkins joined Marty at the No 11 DRA prize shoot held on the Werribee Range on Saturday Jan 12 shooting over 500yds twice and 600 yards.

The Werribee range is not only subjected to the influences of the sea it is also set between two earthen berms that disturb the air flow considerably especially when part of the projectile flight is above the berm where there are no wind indicators.

It was Terry Gee that led the way here in F Class Open ( a very difficult class as the competition is very fierce) Terry shot 176.11 to win the F Class Open completion.

He only lost four points for the day a fantastic effort and of the ECDRA shooters he was the only one to shoot a possible of 60.5, it was on the first 500 yard stage.

Marty Kelly was not far off as he won F T/R class with 172.8. The notable feature of all the scores was the very low super centre count.

Brian Houlihan started badly but finished in fifh place in the F standard class B grade with a 155.3 and Paul Watkins who had limited experience in such shooting conditions finished 12 in F Open Class with a 156.4 ( one point ahead of Brian}.

Both Brian and Paul said it was a tough shoot and it is one that everyone should do just for the experience of managing the conditions when confined by the berms each side of the range.

The full results from Saturday were: F standard B grade, Brian Houlihan 49, 53.1, 57.1 = 155.3, F Open Terry Gee in first place 60.5, 59.3,57.3 = 176.11 and Paul Watkins 52.2, 52, 42.2 = 156.4 F T/R class Marty Kelly in first place with 58.5, 57.1, 57.2 = 172.8.

A good effort from a small club to take both the F Open and T/R class first places. ECDRA members are reminded of the meeting next week at 10:00am on the Violet Town Range to elect a club captain and Secretary as well as discuss the range development plans. There may be a small bore shoot to follow but that will depend on the weather.

Report by Robert Chaffe
Image by Brian Houlihan