Future Focus: Fostering Archery at the Rocky Mountain Classic
INSIDE THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN CLASSIC WITH DAWN GROZSKO
The anticipation is building as the 2026 Rocky Mountain Classic approaches, an event eagerly awaited by Archers across Canada. The indoor youth tournament will be held from January 2nd to 4th at the Abbey Centre in Blackfalds, just north of Red Deer, Alberta.
This comprehensive recap provides an in-depth look at the event, garnered from a recent episode of the Archery Parent Podcast featuring host Manisha and guest Dawn Grozsko.
Welcome to the Rocky Mountain Classic: A Brief Overview
Hello, Archery Family! Welcome to a brand new blog post from the Archery Parent Podcast team. Manisha and Dawn delve into what parents and Archers need to know at this special competition. The Rocky Mountain Classic stands out by offering a unique blend of camaraderie, competition, and development opportunity for Youth Archers.
The Story and Vision Behind the Classic
The Rocky Mountain Classic was born out of necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic when Archery Alberta was uncertain about the continuity of the Alberta Winter Games. The primary goal was to create a high-level Archery tournament that included two-person team match play.
It's a testament to the persistence and passion of the organizers who are making it a priority for Archers to hone their skills and step up to the challenge in a competitive, yet supportive, environment.
What to Expect at the Event
The tournament is geared towards participants U25 and under, with age categories starting from age 10. It promises a blend of qualification rounds, team events, and the exhilarating match play. Unlike many other tournaments, the Rocky Mountain Classic consciously integrates match play, ensuring Canadian Archers experience pressure and start learning how to deal with it.
For those looking to attend their first tournament, as soon as participants step through the doors of the Abbey Centre, the welcoming committee will guide Archers through check-in. A swag bag and optional hoodie upgrade await, setting the tone for an exciting weekend. Friday kicks off with an open practice session, followed by Saturday and Sunday filled with structured competitive events.
Fostering Fun and Friendship
Though competitive, the Rocky Mountain Classic emphasizes the importance of fun and sportsmanship. Coaches and volunteers are on hand to offer support and ensure the tournament remains a positive experience.
Dawn shares stories that illustrate how the community spirit flourishes, with coaches often stepping in to aid Archers in need. Manisha and Dawn discuss how competitions geared to Youth Archers often serve as stepping stones to greater achievements.
An Invitation for All
Whether a seasoned Archer or a first-time competitor, the Rocky Mountain Classic is open to various disciplines: Compound, Barebow, and Recurve, with provisions for NASP and 4H participants. Dawn highlighted the importance of inclusivity, encouraging even non-Canadian Archers to join in and test their mettle.
Final Thoughts
Attending the Rocky Mountain Classic is about more than just the score and winning awards. It's about fostering friendships, building resilience, and enjoying the thrill of the competition. Whether an Archer’s goal is to perform their best, make new friends, or simply experience the joy of the sport, the Rocky Mountain Classic is the event to be at this January.
At the time of publication, registration will close at midnight of Saturday, Dec 20, but contact the Organizers, just in case they can allow additional participants. Find information jimbowsjuniors.ca.
For our American friends, this is a fantastic chance to experience competing in Canada while gaining invaluable travel experience. Don’t miss out on what could be a pivotal moment in your Archery journey.
We are doing this one arrow at a time!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Equipment Inspection Checklist
The inspection ensures all Archers are in the correct category and using allowed equipment. Each Archer is to present their bow, arrows, and their tab (Recurve/Barebow) or release (Compound).
- Inspection: Equipment only needs to be inspected once (either Friday or Saturday)
- Arrow Identification: Every arrow must be marked with the Archer's name or initials on the shaft (NOT the vane)
- Arrow Uniformity: For Archery Canada categories, all arrows must have matching nocks, feathers, and fletching. Bring extra nocks of different colours, in case your target mate has the same coloured nocks.
- Compound Requirements:
- Maximum 60-pound draw weight. (NOTE: judges will measure this.)
- Maximum arrow size of 23 (Way too much information: 23/64" outer diameter.)
- No lights or unlimited category equipment allowed
- Barebow Requirements: No sights or sidebars allowed
- Recurve Requirements: Must use a tab (not a release) and no magnified sights
Key References:
Tournament Information & Registration
- Official Website: jimbowsjuniors.ca
- Contact Email: jjacshoots@gmail.com
- Location: Abbey Centre, Blackfalds, Alberta (approx. two hours north of Calgary)
- Facebook Pages for Results:
Local Support & Supplies
- Grand Central Archery: A shop located in Red Deer that has assisted archers with equipment issues during the season and prior to the event
Scoring & Organizations
- IANSEO: Results will be listed here following the competition
- Archery Alberta: One of the original organizations involved in the tournament's development
Things to Remember When Travelling
Based on the discussion between Manisha and Dawn, attending an away-competition like the Rocky Mountain Classic requires careful budgeting and logistical planning.
Financial & Budgeting Considerations
- Travel Costs: Budget for flights, car rentals, gas, and potential parking fees
- Accommodations: Hotels can be expensive and tend to book up quickly for this event
- Food: Factor in the cost of meals from the day you arrive until the day you leave
- Baggage Fees: Airlines may charge oversize fees for bow cases
- Registration Fees: Remember to account for tournament entry fees and take advantage of "Early Bird" discounts when available
Equipment & Logistics
- Travel-Ready Case: You may need to upgrade to a hard, airline-approved bow case if you typically use a backpack
- Spare Parts: Pack vital extras like nocks and at least more than three arrows
- Border Crossing: If traveling internationally (e.g., from the U.S. to Canada), learn the specific rules for transporting Archery equipment across the border
- Adaptability: Be prepared for various airport and airline procedures, as every terminal and carrier handles equipment differently
Dawn’s Pro Travel Tips
- Freshness Hack: Carry a small bottle of Febreze to spritz down jerseys if you don't have time to do laundry every night
- Comfort Foods: Pack familiar snacks or "comfort foods" like peanut butter (in your checked bag) or dehydrated soups for reliable energy
- Fuel Your Body: Even if you have "butterflies," keep granola bars or fruit on hand to maintain energy levels during the shoot
- Focus Aids: It is okay to bring earbuds, a book, or even knitting to stay focused and calm between ends
Tournament Weekend Timeline
Based on the event structure discussed in the transcript, here is a general guide for what to expect during the tournament weekend:
- Friday: Arrival & Preparation
- Check-In: Arrive at the Abbey Centre in Blackfalds to visit the welcome crew and pick up your registration swag bag and t-shirt or hoodie
- Equipment Inspection: Official judges are available to inspect bows and arrows to ensure they meet category requirements
- Open Practice: The gym is available for archers to get comfortable with the facility
- JGC Rumble: An optional, fun event inspired by the Rushmore Rumble featuring a five-arrow format
- Saturday: Competition Day 1
- Final Inspections: For those who didn't get inspected on Friday, judges will conduct inspections before shooting starts
- Qualification Round: The first 600-round qualification begins, typically split into two flights
- Team Event: Approximately one-hour after the second flight, the two-person team round begins, featuring an 80-second-per-end shot clock
- Sunday: Competition Day 2
- Match Play: The final day focuses on head-to-head match play to determine the tournament winners.
- Wrap-Up: Following the final matches, results are posted to IANSEO and social media platforms.
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