As many of you are aware, Fukiyaman (Dr. Higuchi, co-chairman of the
International Fukiyado Association), has obtained his street
entertainer's license in Japan.  His goal is to make more people
aware of the sport blowgun, by following a centuries old tradition
of conducting on-street performances (like musicians, mimes,
jugglers, etc. have done in major cities around the world for
centuries).  There is also documented in Japan, of blowgun
performers dating from the EDO era - and doing what Hironori refers
to as "blowgun tricks" - where a "Rube Goldberg"-like contraption
happens when you successfully trigger the target by hitting it with
a dart (papermache balls full of streamers and confetti pop open,
dolls pop up from behind the target backstop, the cork is pulled out
of a wine bottle, filling a glass positioned precariously beneath it
with wine, and so on ... You younger readers - do a web search
on "Rube Goldberg", you'll understand after reading about it.  Ever
seen the board game "Mousetrap"???)

In the USA, we are not quite as showy, but we do have our share
of "tricks" (see previous posts for some details ... like suspending
a ball from a string in front of the bulls-eye, or using a knock-
down auto-reset target (borrowed from our pellet shooting
colleagues), or shooting at a "tossed" mini-foam disk (see "Shooting
Star" post about this time last year).

Well ... this year, we add another fun feature to the mix.  Have you
ever seen the old science fair trick (you younger readers might not
have), where the air hose on a vaccuum cleaner is hooked on, in
reverse, as a blower, and a ping-pong ball is suspended in the air
flow above it?

Let's take it up a notch!  The "Hover Blaster"!
5 balls are suspended in the air a few inches (height adjustable)
above the battery operated base.  Perfect for blowgun trick shots.

http://www.bitsandpieces.com/products/sku-15-7982__id-6.html
PRICE: $39.99 USD + S&H
ITEM#: 15-W7982
Test your accuracy with the ultimate high tech target game. The
powerful air jets trigger the floating balls to "hover" in mid-air,
with adjustable controls to fly high or low. Hold your rapid-fire
hand held launcher and aim the soft, foam darts to hit the hover
balls. Comes with 10 hover balls, 8 soft darts, and instructions for
set up and play. Measures 16" long x 12" high x 3" wide. Requires
4 "C" batteries, not included.

But for blowguns - go to the craft shop.  Buy a bag of styrofoam
balls having about the same diameter as the plastic ones that come
with this toy.

Step back 10 meters - take 30 shots (6 rounds of 5 shots with
your .40 or .50 cal. target darts).  Score 1 point if you knock the
ball out of the airstream.  Score 2 points if your dart sticks into
the ball.  Stop shooting after all 5 balls are knocked out of the
airstream.

Perfect score = 10 points.  Perfect game = 5 darts shot.  When
competing - highest score with fewest shot darts wins.

(I love this time of the year with all these "junk" catalogs coming
in the mail!  8-)

May your darts always fly true!

Just to entice you to join us - so far we have had positive
responses from:

1. "Old Wayne" Wilson - current 10-meter World Record holder (198
points)

2.  Tinus Els, former World Record Holder, Long Distance, and
founder of the South Africa Sport Blowgun Association (SASBA).
Tinus will be bringing his wife, who will also be competing.  In
addition, a party of about 5 representatives of the SASBA.  Local
and national competitions will be held to detemine who will be
participating.  Local media coverage, evidently, is on par with that
in Japan.

3.  Dr. Higuchi (fukiyaman), co-chairman of the International
Fukiyado Association) has indicated that if a contingent of Japan
Sport Fukiyado Association members wish to participate, he will join
them, and ask former World Record Record holder (both 10-meter and
Long Distance) Master Morikuni Matsumoto to come along.  Dr.
Tawawada, faculty advisor for the all-women's team from Tokyo-Kasei
University has been invited, along with members of the collegiate
team.

4. Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr. (co-chairman of the IFA, and NSBA
National Meijin; author of "Pananandata: Guide to Sport Blowguns")
has indicated that he will attend.

5.  Founders of the Northern Maine SBA, "Musicman" and Master Kevin
Kinsey will be participating.

6.  Dr. Dan Wiley, faculty advisor to the Hastings College
(Nebraska) SBA and representative collegiate members have been
invited.

7.  International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame members,
Joe "Brokenfeather" Darrah, and Ken "Che Che Whitecloud" Pierce,
have indicated that they will return to compete.

We are expecting more "big name" blowgunners to join us and compete
or observe.  There's still time for you to clear your calendar for
Saturday, June 24th, 2006.  NSBA members (local club or colleagues),
or members of IFA affiliated National organizations can compete in
the 10-meter target shooting Point competition, following IFA rules
and regulations.  The Field competition, 10-meter Match and Long
Distance target shoot are open to all, with no restrictions on
equipment for the Long Distance or Field competitions.

Registration e-mails accepted until Midnight EST May 1, 2006.
Please indicate if you are an NSBA member (use club or colleage
certificate number) if you plan on participating in the 10-meter
Point competition.  craftsman@...

Pierre- Emmanuel ...

I understand that France has decided to allow anything (equipment,
save regulating size down to a 4 ft. barrel length)in the World Cup
for 2007.

I know that you think this is a good idea, because it does not
discourage anyone from using their own style of darts, barrel bores,
etc.

However, I must caution you - the International Olympic Committee
will not look kindly towards this idea, as it demonstrates a lack of
standardization in the international realm for our sport.  The idea
of the Olympics is to show athletic prowess, not advancement of
equipment.  Think of how it would be, if in curling, the size of the
stone were restricted, but there were no weight requirements.  One
could easily cast an 8 lb. stone, while those stuck using a 12 lb.
or 16 lb. stone would have more difficulty.  In bicycle track
racing, if you had a 1-speed bike with a 13/39 gear ratio, and I had
a 15-speed bike with a top gear of 13/26, who would win?  If you a
50 meter swimming pool, and I had a 48 meter swimming pool, and our
swimmers were to race for 100 meters - my swimmers would have to do
an extra 1/4 lap.  It makes no sense.

Long distance target shooting, and Field competition styles have
always been open to all calibers, all dart types, all barrel
lengths.

However, 10 meter target shooting needs to have stricter
guidelines.  The .40 cal., .50 cal., and .51 cal. are what have been
historically allowed (120 cm (4 ft. English) barrel length or
shorter, with setback handicaps of 1 ft. per in. of longer barrel
lengths), and agreed to by the heads of the IFA affiliated
participating nations.  Wire target darts with a plastic molded
tailcone (.40 or .50 cal. - 0.8 gm for the .40 and 1.0 gm. for
the .50), or Fukiya style film cone darts (0.8 gm, 20 cm length
for .51 cal.) only.

For France to recind these agreed upon standards on their own,
without consulting the heads of the other IFA affiliated national
organizations, will make the 2007 World Cup an embarrassment to the
sport.

You can do whatever you wish regarding equipment, etc. for internal
compettions within France. It is your organization, your country,
your rules.

When you host an International competition, you must comply with the
International Fukiyado Association affiliated members' agreed upon
standards for International 10 meter target shooting Competitions.

I have been in touch with Mr. Tinus Els (2001 founder of the South
Africa SBA).  He has been out of touch with the international
community, but within SA, he and hos wife have been active.  Their
organization is doing well.  He and his wife hope to compete the 3rd
International Sport Blowgun Target Shooting compettion to be held in
June, 2006 at the Bear Swamp Archery Complex in Upper MT. Bethel, PA
(USA).  Tinus uses a home-made .75 cal. barrel (picture on the IFA
website). He once was the holder of the Long Distance target
shooting, at 30 meters ... quite an accomplishment using that
caliber!!!

Tinus has agreed to become more active internationally, and will be
listed on the NSBA website (as soon as I find time to update it), on
the "Partners" page.  This once again brings us to the minimum
International Olympic Committee's requirements of having the sport
played on four continents.  We still need a minimum of 75 nations.

Can I please ask the representatives from Mexico, India, Isreal,
Namibia, and Turkey (Zihul, Raven-Crow, etc.), and the others, to
commit to starting a national organization in your home nations?
Let us know our intent here on this forum, or e-mail me direct.
craftsman@...   I will get the necessary formalities with the
International Fukiyado Association expedited.

For those keeping count, as of this writing, we're officially up to
10 IFA affiliated nations - Japan, USA, Switzerland, Sweden,
Philippines, China, Germany, France, Malaysia, and South Africa.
The United Kingdom and Australia have banned blowguns, so their
affiliated organizations are defunct. Canada has also banned
blowguns, they never had a startup organization.

We need another 65 participating nations. If you have any friends of
relatives in other nations who are blowgunners and may be interested
in starting up an organization in their native country, have them
visit the NSBA website.  If they don't read English, they can put
the URL in http://babelfish.altavista.com/ and select the Translate
option from English-to-Their native language. You folks are the only
ones that can make the dream of competition sport blowgun target
shooting become reality by working with your contacts.

May your darts always fly true!

In the blowgun point-match rules, your "level" is associated to the
sum of the points reached by your shots. Superior levels had
already "names" associated to the number : Gold, Silver, Bronze and
Iron

* 175 pts @10 in 6x, Level 10 is "Gold"
* 162 pts @10 in 6x, Level 9 is "Silver"
* 150 pts @10 in 6x, Level 8 is "Bronze"
* 120 pts @10 in 6x, Level 7 is "Iron"

The FSBA decided for France to give names to the 6 first levels,
based on material progression : Cotton, Leather, Wood, Tin, Lead and
Crystal are the new names

* 42 pts @4 in 2x, Level 1 is "Cotton" ("Coton" in french)
* 46 pts @5 in 2x, Level 3 is "Leather" ("Cuir" in french)
* 50 pts @6 in 2x, Level 2 is "Wood" ("Bois" in french)
* 75 pts @7 in 3x, Level 4 is "Tin" ("Etain" in french)
* 100 pts @8 in 4x, Level 5 is "Lead" ("Plomb" in french)
* 100 pts @9 in 4x, Level 6 is "Crystal" ("Cristal" in french)

Maybe this idea can be adopted worldwide :)

See our page on
http://www.fsba.fr/?hl=us&page=level

Enjoy also our new target here
http://www.fsba.fr/?page=target

I'm in contact with a USA based retail sporting goods store, Cabellas -
  an Outdoors outfitter - they have a wonderful product selection, and
they do carry 4 ft. long, .40 caliber blowguns, and target darts.

I will be asking them to join us (National Sport Blowgun Association)
in promoting competition blowgun target shooting, and blowgun safety
education.

If we can get them on board with us, the sport will have more credence.

Does anyone else know of any other retail stores (not web based) that
sell competition quality blowguns and darts - in the USA, or any where
else in the world)

Great hunting blowgun hunting story on Caveman's forum:
http://f2.webmart.de/f.cfm?id=1846053&d=0&r=threadview&a=1&t=2585998

October 15, 2005 will be the 2nd anniversary of the formation
(actually, started in September, but that's when the website went
online) of the USA based National Sport Blowgun Association (NSBA).

What have we done so far?
1.  We have the most comprehensive website about blowguns on the
WEB. Our website includes -
Information about the history of blowguns as a weapon, the history
of the sport of competition blowgun target shooting, jokes about
blowgunning (yes, we can laugh at ourselves), techniques in proper
use and handling of equipment, tips for improving your shooting,
links to other blowgun resources (equipment suppliers, other blowgun
related websites, local target shooting organizations, international
target shooting organizations, blowgun topic related forums, and a
lot more), free downloadable targets, and more.
2.  We have affiliated local clubs, set up a national network of
State and Regional representatives, as well as a program for non-
club (individual members) participants, so that these resources are
available to interested participants around the world.
3.  We have defined equipment and standards internationally,
coordinating these activities with the International organization.
4.  We are spearheading the effort to have the sport recognized as
an event in the Summer Olympics, setting a goal of at least being
allowed in demonstration for the 2016 games.  The NSBA is the laison
to the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for the IFA
(International Fukiyado Association)
5.  We have sponsored two International 10 meter competitions, each
time, the World Record has fallen at this event.
6.  Established a new standard of excellence in the sport, by
defining requirements for the upper Master level dans (7 through 10 -
  "Grandmaster") in the sport.
7.  Provided inspiration and guidance towards the establishment of
collegiate organizations, and the National Junior Blowgun Alliance
(for participants under the age of 18 years).
8.  Assisted in the organization of several national organizations
in other countries (the UK, France, etc.) and are assisting others
in getting started (Namibia, Mexico, Turkey, etc.), with a goal of
having 75 national IFA affiliates on 4 continents (the requirement
of the IOC for a sport to be considered for inclusion in the Olympic
Games).
9.  Began an Instructor certification program, following the
guidelines of the IFA instructor certification.  To date, there are
4 NSBA certified instructors, with 5 others registered in the
program.
10.  The top names in blowgunning are affiliated with the NSBA -
* Michael D. Janich (author, martial artist, and blowgunner) is our
National Technical Advisor
* Dr. Amante P. Marinas, Sr. (author, martial artist, educator, and
blowgunner) is our National Blowgun Master (Meijin)
*  Norman Derosiers (aka "Geezer", engineer and blowgunner) is a
colleague member, and a contributor of many ideas for dart and
barrel design
*  Jock Elliot (author and blowgunner) is our National Correspondent
*  Tuukka Kumpulainen (Co-Founder, Finnish Society of Primitive
Skills, and  blowgunner) is our National Historian.
11.  Monitor the web for information (news) about blowgun related
articles (particularly legislation banning blowguns, and mishandling
by individuals (people or pets, etc. being shot) in a non-hunting or
hunting incident)

What are our plans for the future?
1.  Participation in the first World Cup games, to be held in France
in 2007.
2.  Continue promoting the sport of competition blowgun target
shooting
3.  Continue sponsoring annual international competitions
4.  Continue to work with existing national organizations, ansd
assisting in the establishment of new national organizations, in
progressing towards our shared goal of having the sport santioned as
an Olympic event
5.  Work towards having competition blowgun target shooting evolve
into an inter-collegiate sporting event (along the lines of fencing,
and archery) in the USA
6.  Educate the general public about blowguns (safe handling, proper
usage, health benefits and cross training, etc.), de-mystifying the
weapon, and changing the mindset of the public's image of
blowgunners being only South American aboriginal monkey hunters,
Cannibals in Borneo, or Ninjutsu assassins.

What are we doing to celebrate?
Join us at Bear Swamp Archery complex in Upper Mt. Bethel Township,
Pennsylvania, Noon, Sunday October 16th, 2005 for an informal fun
shoot.

We can set up for 10 meter target, 10 meter trick, Field Style
(Cherokee), and both Long Distance Target and Flight.

Bring a lunch (no alcohol or drugs permitted on County park
property), and soft drinks.  There's picnic tables and grills
available at the Olympic Long Distance range.

Send an e-mail to craftsman@...  "Subject:  NSBA 2nd
anniversary", if you plan on participating (so we'll know how many
to plan for), by Friday, Oct. 9th, 2005.  As always - FEE FREE!

May your darts always fly true!

Dr. Dan Wiley (Hastings College SBA, faculty advisor) has qualified
at the 5 dan (Gold) level, scoring 190. Dan will now be pursuing his
NSBA Instructor certification, along with obtaining his Master rank
within the next year.

Welcome, to the Lawton, Oklahoma  "Lawton First Blowgunners", Joe
Fife - founding member and State of Oklahoma NSBA representative.

Updates to the NSBA website:  nsba6.htm,  nsba7.htm, ifa.htm

Congrats to Richard ("Dark Horse",on the MSN forum) from PhiSBA
(Philippines national affiliate of the IFA) - in a non-sanctioned
shoot, setting a new unofficial World Record of 206 out of 210!  We
hope you can duplicate that score, or better, in a sanctioned
competition.  Oh, and beware ... "Old Wayne" Wilson will be coming
after you!  8-)  You're now the unofficial "Top Gun" in the sport.

Several new names added to the IFA "5 dan" (gold) list.  There is
now a female 5 dan in Japan!  Ladies from all the other countries -
get practicing!  8-)  You can do this!

Here's the directions:
"Darts are pretty easy to make all you have to do is take a 10 by 10
cm piece of paper and role it into a cone and tape it then you push
it into the end of your blowgun and twist it so it leaves a
indentation on the paper then you cut the paper on the indent, push
a nail (not to big) though the tip so it looks like thistle dart
should fit with no air gaps but should slide easy in barrel. These
are just quick and easy darts and aren't really appropriate for
shooting small game unless the nail is flattened and sharpened into
a broad head.

High Velocity Darts

First make a dart like the one on the blowgun section (above) then
cut some of the cone off the back so the cone is smaller. Now you
need to make a separate device to form a seal behind the dart, make
two cones that fit inside the barrel with no air gaps (not to tight)
then cut the point off one of the cones then push the point of the
other dart in the open point of the cone like this then tape them
together.

To use this you first put the double cone thing in the barrel then
put the high velocity dart cone first down the other end. The idea
of this dart is that when it is fired the dart will be pushed along
the barrel by the double cone thing at the same speed as a normal
dart but unlike a normal dart when it leaves the barrel it has much
less resistance so it will go further and faster."

http://revillusions.bravehost.com/darts.html and
http://revillusions.bravehost.com/Blowguns.html

If anyone makes them - take a picture, and post your results, please.

http://revillusions.bravehost.com

Per Hironori's website:

"Matchbox Dropping Rule  Sep.19 2000

1. At first hang 2 hard sponge matchbox size targets 3.5 X 5.5 cm
(1.38 X 2.17 in) by fishing line in right and left on the sponge mat
(Note: Target backstop). Total matchbox targets are 10. The hight
is 160 cm(4.8 feets).
Shooting line is 10 meter(11 yard) away from target.
2. Make a ring by the line and hang it by U type pin on the sponge
mat.
3. The dart which scratched the target and turned over the match is
ineffective.
4. When the dart which rebounced after hitting target is effective.
5. When dart hit the target but target did not drop.The dart is
effective.
6. When the dart rebounced and it was unclear whether it hit the
target or not.
The second shooting is counted.
7. Entrant can chose the first matchbox which he shoots.
8. Entrant can aim the next matchbox after the first matchbox was
dropped.
9. When dart enclosed the matchbox target and prevents dropping.,
player can pull darts off with approval of marker.
10. Entrant can stop shooting anytime if he gave up.
Entrant must stop shooting when time passed over limitted time
(40 minuites)
11. Entrant can clean the inside of pipe whenever he wants.
12. After marker recognized the number of darts,entrant can pull
darts
off from sponge mat.
13. They must follw to the point game rule in other problems

International Fukiyado Association IFA, Japan Branch
H.Higuchi �@mailto: info@..."

NOTE: I have tried dropping these with the standard .50 cal. target
darts, and it doesn't always work. In Japan, they use a film cone
(like transparency film stock) dart - made similar to Charlie
Shapiro's Paper Darts.

Details on how to "roll your own", and pictures of a completed dart
are available on the NSBA website, on the dartmaking.htm page.
(All IFA internationally certified instructors, and all NSBA
nationally certified instructors are required to make a film cone
dart of this type as part of their requirements for instructor
certification.)

It is referred to as a "matchbox", because of it's similar size and
shape to the small pocket sized wood "strike-on-the-box" stick
matches, used before the paper matchbooks were developed (still
available in some locations).

The sponge foam itself appears to be similar in composition and
density to the canned insulation foam available from hardware
stores. The ones Hironori gave me have a "finished" colored side
(red or blue), making me think it was cut from an insultation board.
The closest to this that we have in the USA that I could find would
be in the insulation aisle of your hardware superstores (Home Depot,
Lowes, etc.) - the plastic insulation board - cut it to fit as
indicated above. I use 2 pushpins - one on an end loop, wrapped
around the metal of the pin - this holds the "target" in place - the
other one, suspend a bight (look up knot-tying terminology if you
don't know what this means) of the monofilament line between the
plastic of the pushpin, and the backstop material - but NOT
encircling the metal pin - rather beneath it. The impact and
additional weight of the dart added to the weight of the
monofilament and foam matchbox, should be sufficient to pull the
monofilament out from between the face of the backstop and the
plastic back of the pushpin, causing it to drop. This is key to
Hironori's "blowgun tricks"! The weight of the dropping dart and
matchbox pull a "7" or "L" shaped lever out of a loop (developed by
Hironori), which in turn is connected (ala "Rube Goldberg") to
another deice / string / etc. - causing a wine bottle cork to be
pulled out, or a paper mache ball to crack open, etc., etc. for some
great theatrics.

From the BGNW MSN forum - "At No.12 International Fukiyado Competition
on Sep.25 anybody who marked 190 points and more and who marked 19
darts and less for 10 matchboxes dropping can get 1.000 JPE(about 90
USD).
Join: free. At Nagaoka south gymnasium.

Hironori"

We borrow this style of Field compettion from our indiginous
American friends, the Cherokee.  The Cherokee are one of the
temperate forest peoples of North America who use a blowgun for
hunting, and have done so for thousands of years.  The commemorate
this tradition at heir annual gathering in Taledequah, Oklahoma each
August with a blowgun compettion.  This uses a course similar to an
archery field course, but combines the challenge of timing the
course, making it similar to the Winter Olympic Biathlon event.

Number of targets, Target faces, target height placement, firing
line distance, maximum scoring, number of darts shot per target,
total maximum time to complete the course, and total course distance
traversed all varies depending on the location, and rules set forth
by the hosting organization - so there really is not a true means of
comparing one compettion to another - they are all unique.  Which
makes them all that much more fun to participate in.

Penalties are given (varying from 1 to 5 points) for taking a short-
cut (deviating from the outlined course).  A maximum time limit is
set for completion (generally, the time it takes to take a moderate
walk around the course without shooting), andd those failing to
complete the course within the time limit are disqualified.  Points
are also deducted if more than the allotted number of darts are shot
at a given target.  Repeat offenders are usually disqualified.

No.12 International Fukiyado Competition is scheduled on Sep.25(Sunday)
from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Nagaoka south gymnasium in Nagaoka, Japan.
Join: free.
Point game and matchbox dropping in the morning and in the afternoon.
Contact: info@...
Hironori Higuchi  Phone:+81-258342303

Welcome to the newest local organization - the Virginia Blowgun
Association.

The Hastings (Nebraska) Sport Blowgun Association is holding a Point
and Match compettion on Saturday, August 13th.  Contact Dan
(dmwiley_2000@...) for more information.

Anyone interested in trying their luck at shooting in a Cherokee style
Field competition?  Bear Swamp Archery Complex - noon - Saturday
August 20th.
Reservations required- e-mail craftsman@... if you want to
participate.
(Standard target, and Long Distance competition also possible,
depending upon attendence.)

Chad (caeman) from Ohio has been running an internet-blowgun
tournament for the past three months now.
Details can be found on the Blowguns NW Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blowgunsnw/

We've been using various style target faces, placement, distances, and
stances.  Really mixing it up, and making it interesting.  Shooting is
on the honor system - no need for witnesses. Free downloadable target
faces of different types. Very enjoyable.

We hope that you'll participate.

An interview with "Old Wayne" Wilson, current 10 meter World Record
holder, will be coming soon to the NSBA website, on
the "friends.htm" page - be sure to see it.

One of Wayne's goals is a perfect "hat trick" - Three 210 sets in a
row.  Be sure to mark Saturday, June 24th, 2006 on your calendar -
and make plans to be at Bear Swamp Archery Complex that day to see
if "Old Wayne" can achieve his goal.

As always - there are no fees!
All International competitors are welcome too !  Drop me an e-mail
if you would like a listing of nearby hotels - fly in to the Lehigh
Valley International Airport in Allentown, PA - it's about a half-
hour drive to the venue.

Be sure to come in on Friday morning, so you can do the legendary
Martin Guitar factory tour in Nazareth while you're in the area
(also free).

Old Wayne ...  Semper Fi !
"May your darts always fly true!"

All:
On Sunday, July 10,2005 at 15:00 EDT (GMT -4), Go to:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup
click on the "CHAT" link on the left side of the page.

To talk online with "Caveman"!  Answering your questions on blowguns,
darts, and the German Sport Blowgun Association activities and
competitions.

Alle:
Am Sonntag gehen Juli 10.2005 bei 15:00 EDT (GMT -4),:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup klicken an
die "SCHWÄTZCHEN" Verbindung auf der linken Seite der Seite.

Mit "Höhlenbewohner" online sprechen! Beantworten Ihrer Fragen über
blowguns, Pfeile und die deutschen Sport Blowgun Verbindung
Tätigkeiten und die Konkurrenzen.

History was once again made at the 2nd International Sport Blowgun
Shoot-out held at Bear Swamp Archery complex in Upper Mt. Bethel, PA.

"Old Wayne" Wilson obliterated the former World Record of 194 points
out of a possible 210, at the NSBA sanctioned competition sponsored by
the Metro Sport Blowgun Association on Saturday June 11, 2005 by
hitting 24 bulls-eyes out of 30 shots and achieving a final score of
198, using a standard .40 caliber one piece 4 ft. barrel, and
commercial wire target darts in an outdoor competition.

This ranks "Old Wayne" as #1 in the World!

Please send your congratulations to: OLDWAYNE48@...

For Saturday's competition - I'll have set up at the range - 4 lanes,
standard 10 meter shooting
"Point" competition for members who wish to advance in rank, followed
by an open shoot ...  also -

10 meter - "hit the ball" - 30 shots, best out of 30 wins (no score,
only hit a 2-3/4 in. diameter string-suspended ball)
10 meter - auto reset (pellet gun target modified with a foam face) -
10 shots, must knock down all three targets, in order (right to left)
in as few shots as possible.
10 meter - 3-D target - try your luck at blowgun "hunting" a stuffed
animal target - life sized "critters"
10 meter - "skeet" shoot - try your luck at hitting a moving target  -
  foam ring about 4 cm in diameter

Field competition, Cherokee style. - 16 targets at 14 stations ...
varying heights and shooting distances.  3 shots per target (max 21
points per target) - perfect score = 336 points.  1/2 mile loop
course - best combination of score and time wins.

Long Distance target shoot (going for the World Record) - 24 cm
target - 3 shots each.   At least one must hit the target face, in
order to advance to the next round.  Starts at 20 meters, and move
back 1 meter after each successful round of shooting.  Current record
= 36 meters.

Pictures of the complex are in the "photos" section of the BGNW MSN
forum, including shots of all three venues.  Good luck to all who
compete.  All are welcome to observe if you cannot participate.

Go to:
http;//www.sarbacane-france.com

Based in St. Etienne, in the area near Loire.

Can you find out information about the darts?  Size, weight, etc.
Would they want to affliate with the FSBA? Participate in the 2007
World Cup?  Might their location be a logical place to hold the World
Cup - honoring their organization?

Drop me an e-mail - craftsman@...

Let me know what you find out ... I couldn't find any e-mail contacts
on their website, and the contact for the tourism board of the town is
no longer valid. Thanks.

Dave S.

The ASBA (American Sport Blowgun Association - defunct in 2002),
originated the idea of the Master (6 dan) level in competition
blowgun target shooting.  This was adopted by all affiliated IFA
(International Fukiyado Association) national members.  This year
(2005), the JSFA (Japan Sport Fukiya Association) was the last hold-
out to accept this recognition of excellence in the sport - and now
has agreed to include that level - but added that one of the scores
must be a 186 or above.  The JSFA requirement was immediately
accepted by all other national organizations.

The NSBA (National Sport Blowgun Association - replaced the ASBA in
2003), is following in the footsteps of it's predecessor, and is once
again "raising the bar" for recognition of excellence in the sport.
New NSBA rules for higher dan levels have been announced.  All the
rules for standard 10 meter competition (target height, and firing
line distance, etc.) apply  - except as explained below:

Standard target - has 3 rings.  Bullseye = 6 cm (7 points); inner =
12 cm (5 points);  outer = 18 cm (3 points)
Standard scoring:  iron (2 dan) = 120 points or above;  Must be 2 dan
to qualify for the next level;  bronze (3 dan) = 150 points or above -
  Must be 3 dan to qualify for the next level;  silver  (4 dan) = 162
points or above;  Must be 4 dan to qualify for the next level; gold
(5 dan) = 175 points or above;
Master = 3x gold (one of the three scores must be 186 minimum) in 1
year.
Silver and above scoring is only recognized as valid if attained at a
sanctioned NSBA Point competition.

Master target - has 4 rings.  Bulls-eye = 3 cm (7 points);  inner = 6
cm (5 points); middle = 9 cm (3 points);  outer = 12 cm (1 point)
Master Scoring:  Must be Master (6 dan) level to use the Master
Target face.  Must use Master Target to achieve higher dan levels,
and only at sanctioned competitions. Standard target face can be used
to shoot for attempts at the World Record. The official Master Target
graphic will only be presented to those achieving the 6 dan level -
it will not be available for download from the NSBA website.

Bronze Master  (7 dan)   = 158 points and above;  Must be 7 dan to
shoot at next level.
Silver Master    (8 dan)   = 168 points and above;  Must be 8 dan to
shoot at next level.
Gold Master     (9 dan)   = 179 points and above;  Must be 9 dan to
shoot at next level.
Grandmaster     (10 dan) = 189 points and above.

Note:  The inner ring of the Master target ranges from 3 to 6 cm  -
this outer area as defined by the standard bulls-eye is only valued
at 5 points on the Master Target.  If one shoots all 30 darts into
the 5 point ring (6 cm) on a master target, that is only 150 points.
On a standard target, it is a perfect 210 score.  One needs 158
points to get the 7 dan. The current World Record at 10 meters on a
standard target face is 194 points. (This scores at about 148 points
in the Master format - depending on dart placement.)

In order to be considered a "Grandmaster" of any discipline, it is
expected that one's abilities must be flawless.  Since this is the
goal of the higher Master levels,  the target face and scoring were
designed specifically  to reflect this intention. The degree of
difficulty is 66 % greater than the standard target face.

If you would like to try your skill at shooting with these
restrictions - download a copy of the NSBA practice target (available
on the "Forms" page of the NSBA website).  Score the Orange inner
bulls-eye as 7 points.  Score the yellow outer bulls-eye as 5
points.  Score the inner (Red) ring as 3 points.  Score the inner
(pink) ring as 1 point (these 2 rings are normally scored as 5 points
on the standard target face).  Anything in "Blue" (normally scores as
3 points on the standard target) - counts as a Zero (0) for the
Master Target.

I will send an e-mail out to all National Organization chairmen, and
Dr. Higuchi, asking them to provide you with a preliminary count of
potential competitors.

I will contact all current NSBA members, and take a poll to see how
many are interested from the USA.

The numbers you receive will be preliminary, and as new membership
(hopefully) increases with time, the actual count closer to the time
may change.

You will need to set a cut-off date for registration (Maybe 6 months in
advance).  You will need to  re-ask for a more definate count
(commitment) at a later time - maybe by the last day of May, 2006.

We think to be able to organize it in Versailles or in Strasbourg

Each country representant will soon have to anwser how many concurrent
there will be approximativally for their countries


--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "meijin1951" <meijin1951@y...> wrote:
> Stephane,
>
> Both Dr. Dan Wiley (Hastings College) and myself will be there for
the
> competition.  "Caveman" (Norbert- Germany) has said he will attend.
> Dr. Higuchi (IFA chairman) will most likely be there, and will
probably
> bring one of the Japan Sport Fukiya Association champions.
> John ("StrangeFatMan" - North Carolina) is saving up to compete with
us.
>
> Have you begun searching for a venue?  Just curious about locations
> that you have under consideration.
>
> Have you heard anything from Michael Birch (UKSBA)?

Stephane,

Both Dr. Dan Wiley (Hastings College) and myself will be there for the
competition.  "Caveman" (Norbert- Germany) has said he will attend.
Dr. Higuchi (IFA chairman) will most likely be there, and will probably
bring one of the Japan Sport Fukiya Association champions.
John ("StrangeFatMan" - North Carolina) is saving up to compete with us.

Have you begun searching for a venue?  Just curious about locations
that you have under consideration.

Have you heard anything from Michael Birch (UKSBA)?

It is official!

If there's any chance that you can go - vote here, so he can get a
preliminary idea of the size of the venue he'll need, lodging,
transportation, etc.
http://www.wwrendezvous.com/forums/hunt-fish-camp-shoot-wildlife-
outdoors/index.php?act=ST&f=7&t=364

(Register, to vote - "Shooting; Archery" )

Reported by Caeman (Chad from Ohio) on the Yahoo Group for
BlowgunsNW - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blowgunsnw/

"In many of my other missile weapon hobbies (archery, axe and knife
throwing, atlatl, etc), we sometimes have something called a postal
tourney, or internet tournament.

Some simple rules are posted and people are left to their own honesty
to follow them and post their score. Just be honest and say to
yourself "I am now beginning my official scoring." There is no prize
to win, so you would only be cheating yourself, anywho.

So, here we go! And let's have some fun!

Let's keep this first one nice and simple. We are going to use the
standard rules for equipment and point tournament format that is used
for getting a rank. See? Nice and simple.

The Internet Tournament begins today, (May 9th, 2005) and you have
until midnight of Sunday May 22, 2005) to post your score either to
the mailing list, or to me personally. As I receive scores, I will
post updates to the mailing list.

For those who don't think they can compete with the big boys, keep in
mind that this is just for fun and to get people involved and
talking. So, young or old, rich or poor, beginner or expert, let the
tournament begin!"

From craftsman: "Report your "best of 3 sets", I'll contribute
locations for free targets, and a reminder of the rules for setup,
and scoring - so folks can check their skill against a standard.
Minimum qualifying scores start at 120 points for 30 darts. he next
level up is 150 points, then 162 points, and finally 175
points. A perfect score is 210. The current World Record is tied at
194 points in competition. The USA record is (tied for 3rd place in
the World) at 192 points in competiton. The unofficial world record
is now at 202 points at 10 meters, in practice.

Set up a target, centered at 5' 3 (160 cm)abovve ground, step back 3
ft. (10 meters), and have at it. Shoot 6 rounds of 5 darts (30 darts
total) in 25 minutes. Let us know how you did.

Here's some free downloadable targets:
http://home.att.net/~nsba/graphics/NSBA_target2bw.jpg
For a Black & White tournament style

http://home.att.net/~nsba/graphics/NSBA_target2.jpg
for a Color tournament style

http://www.enter.net/~craftsman/nsba/target.pdf
International Fukiyado Association color tournament target, in
Japanese

http://home.att.net/~nsba/docs/scorecard2.jpg
Printable scoresheet

http://www.enter.net/~craftsman/nsba/blowdart_xing.jpg
Shooting Lane marker safety sign ("Blowdart crossing!")

http://www.enter.net/~craftsman/nsba/practice.jpg
Practice Target (optionally, you CAN use this in a tourney, AND ...
if you score the split rings (3 cm wide, starting from the orange) as
7, 5, 3, & 1 - and count the blue rings and beyond as "Zero" (0) -
then, this can be used as a Master Level practice target.

Master level qualifying scores start at 158 (standard qualifying
scores start at 120), then ... 168 (150 std.), 179 (162 std), and 189
(175 std.) on this (5,7,3,1) target face. For comparison - shooting
30 darts, all in the "5" ring on the Master target face will score a
150 - a 158 is the minimum qualifying. BUT, the "5" ring on the
Master target is within the 7 point bulls-eye on the standard target,
so a "150" in this instance
is like shooting a perfect 210. A 112 on the Master target is a 176
on the standard. In practice last night, I shot a 137 on the Master
target (but forgot to translate it to standard scoring). 8-("

Again from Chad: "Should your score not qualify at 120+, please still
submit it. We all have to start somewhere!"

1. It is official - blowguns are banned by law (since 1988) in the
United Kingdom. Details available from the NSBA website's "FAQ" page
(Question #9 - "Are Blowguns Legal?") This impacts - England,
Ireland. Wales, Scotland, and all and any territories.

2. The USA State of Florida permits the use of blowguns for frog
gigging! (Except for certain species) - see the above link for more
details.

3. The NSBA Welcomes "Old Wayne" as their newest colleague member,
and we all look forward to finally meeting him in person at the June
11th competiton.

4. We still have not been able to confirm or refute Sean (Austrailia
SBA chairman)'s statement 6 weeks ago about blowguns being banned in
all of Australia - anyone with any contacts there, please see if they
can help clarify. I have an e-mail response pending from their
National Sport Organization (equivalent to the Australian Olympic
Committee), but have not received any reply. Thanks

5. Stephane (France SBA) is considering hosting the 2007 Sport
Blowgun World Cup - details to be available once a final decision is
reached. Please encourage him to accept this challenge and
responsibility, and lend your support by participating.

6. We are working with a representative from the country of Namibia,
to have them join the International Fukiyado Association - waiting to
hear if the contact there is willing to take up the responibility to
start the national organization. 75 participating nations on 4
continents are needed by 2012 in order to have competition sport
blowgun target shooting sanctioned as an event for the 2016 games.
National competitions are needed to be held by the member nations, as
well as international (World Cup) competitions. If you know of
blowgun enthusiasts in non-participating nations, please encourage
them to form a national organization, and affiliate it with the IFA.
Contact Stephane for details on how this may be done.