The 3rd International Sport Blowgun competition is coming up - June
24th, at Bear Swamp Archery Complex in Upper Mt. Bethel, PA

See picture of the complex and facilities at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/bearswamparcheryc
omplex.msnw

Please take a few minutes to e-mail me at  craftsman@... if
you will be attending (observer or participant).

If you are participating, please indicate (any or all) which formats
you will be competing in ...
1.  10-meter target  (Standard Point competition rules and
regulations, you do not have to be an IFA/NSBA member to
participate - but if you are not, the scores you get are not
official.)
2.  Long Distance target (Standard International Long Distance
Target Rules apply)
3.  Field Competition (Cherokee) style.  One-half mile circuit, with
14 stations, and 16 targets.  Timed event as well as scored.

"Talon" has requested that I see if we will be getting any Field
Competition participants this year, as I've set it up twice, and we
either didn't have it timed properly to do it, or no one was
interested enough.  There is a lot of work to set up that portion of
the competition venues (both in pre-competition day preparations,
and on the day of the event itself - takes about an hour to set up
everything needed for that event), and if no one wants to try it -
we won't bother even setting it up.

I've run the course myself, on my own, a few times, and I like the
challenge it presents.  There is a fairly rough trail, lots of
twists and turns to it - then getting to the shooting line -
settling into "shooting" mode (just like an Olympic biathlon
athlete), scoring and retrieving the darts, and on to the next
shooting lane.

If we have as few as three positive responses, I will set up the
course (and ask the others to act as field judges).  It's very
addictive ... once you try it, you'll be sold.  Standard 10-meter or
Long Distance target just won't be enough anymore. You'll want to
set up a practice course of your own.

The course is not for the faint of heart (there are snakes,
mosquitoes, ticks, and spiders in the woods) - the trail is rock
strewn, has a few minor hills to it, and there are "bridges" of
sorts across the swampier areas.  It is wheel chair accessible, but
only if you have a "mountain" wheelchair (not your standard indoor
chair, but one that is more for street usage).

Just One year before the first Sport Blowgun World Championship, the
FSBA is organizing it's first Sport Blowgun French Open (SBFO), from
july 8th-9th, 2006 in Ploemeur (Bretagne, France)
http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=FR&city=ploemeur
(try zoom #3)

It was scheduled to be a french championship but several foreign people
are interested, so it's now an Open, so everybody can participate. We
are building an english language page for this event here
http://blowgun.googlepages.com

We plan to organize points individual tournament, points team
tournaments, objets shooting, wheel shooting and long distance shooting.

Stay in touch :)
StJo
http://www.fsba.fr

1. Use: http://www.echigo.ne.jp/~dhiguchi/index_e.html

2. "Doc" ran out of space again - shoot him an e-mail and let him
know. (hehehehehehe!)

http://www.echigo.ne.jp/~dhiguchi is not responding anymore...
What's up ?

Where IS Bear Swamp Archery Complex?

Latitude: 40 degrees 54 minutes 31 seconds N
Longitude: 75 degrees 10 minutes 58 seconds W

Verifying Source: MapQuest

Just a quick poll ...

We already know that the top shooters will be there ...
Bruce Bell (current Long Distance holder - target - 36 meters), two
former Long Distance World Record holders, trying to reclaim their
title (Tinus Els of South Africa, and Morikuni Matsumoto of Japan),

World Record holder (target) at 10 meters, "Old Wayne" Wilson of VA
(198 out of 210 points), and former World Record holder Morikuni
Matsumoto (194 points), Dave Sustak (NJ, 192 points), Kevin Kinsey
(ME, 190 points), Dan Wiley (NE, 190 points) - trying to take the
title from Wayne.

World (OK, at least among blowgunners) reknown author, Dr. Amante P.
Marinas, Sr. ("Pananandata: Guide to Sports Blowguns"), and
International Fukiyado Association founder and author ("Sports
Blowgun Health Method"), from Japan, Dr. Hironori Higuchi,
International Knife Throwers Hall of Fame members,
Joe "Brokenfeather" Darrah, and Ken "Che Che Whitecloud" Pierce, as
well as Chad (from OH), Tom (VA), Marc, Phil, Charlie, Chip, Chris,
and Ed (NJ) - possibly Fraser (MD), Mrs. Els, and 2 or 3 national
competition winners from South Africa, maybe some of the Women's
competition team from Kasei University in Tokyo -

If you want to see blowgun target shooting at its best, and get to
meet some of the top participants in the world - this is the one
competition that you don't want to miss. A gathering of blowgunners
of this caliber (no pun intended) may never happen again (unless we
CAN get the sport sanctioned as an Olympic event ... and that, all
depends on you!)

Participate, and promote the sport!

May your darts always fly true!

Anyone out there know where I can get a muzzle guard for my
Coldsteel .625 blowgun ? Thanks.

OK, I finally had a nice day to take photos of the setup, and some of
a perfect round (no, it wasn't posed!  8-)

It is a lot of fun to shoot at the moving targets, but a word of
caution ... darts can rebound off the outside rotating / spinning
balls depending on the angle of attack (trajectory) of the dart.  So
be sure to keep the target area clear on both sides, ay least 1/2 the
distance back towards the shooter.

Pictures can be found at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/holidaygreetings.ms
nw

March 25th 12:30 to 3:30 PM - an indoor sport blowgun target shooting
NSBA sanctioned competition -

The place is called "French Creek Outfitters" their
web site is http://www.frenchcreekoutfitters.com, they are located at
the north end of Phoenixville, PA (USA) just outside of Valley Forge
National Park.

Coming off the PA. Turnpike at exit 326 Valley Forge you would
turn right at the very first exit after exiting the tollbooth and
follow the signs for rte 23 and 724, these roads split about 1 mile
past the Gun/Archery club, it is a sporting goods store as well as a
range.

Dave, and others :

The place where this event will be organized is not determined for the
moment. Now we have the planning so we can start to present the project
to the majors of our candidates town. I think we can have the place in
severals weeks.

More to follow

StJo
FSBA

--- In blowgun@yahoogroups.com, "meijin1951" <meijin1951@y...> wrote:
>
> StJo -
>
> WHERE in France?  St. Etiennes, Paris, Caans, Strausbourg, Loire?
> (So I can start making reservations at hotels, etc.)
>
> Les dames et le monsieur, je ne parle pas français très bien, mais je
> parle le sarbacane tout à fait bien. J'attends avec intérêt de
> concurrencer vous en 2007.
>
> Dave S.
>

StJo -

WHERE in France?  St. Etiennes, Paris, Caans, Strausbourg, Loire?
(So I can start making reservations at hotels, etc.)

Les dames et le monsieur, je ne parle pas français très bien, mais je
parle le sarbacane tout à fait bien. J'attends avec intérêt de
concurrencer vous en 2007.

Dave S.

The first Sport Blowgun World Championships have been scheduled by the
FSBA official bureau, for 3 days :

   - Saturday, July 7th, 2007
   - Sunday, July 8th, 2007
   - Monday, July 9th, 2007

Next to follow... :)

StJo
FSBA

Updates have been made to the NSBA website (nsba1.htm and faq.htm),
defining the minimum scoring requirements and minimum time in rank
required before advancing to the next level.

This was done to comply with the rules set forth by the International
Fukiyado Association, as specified by the founding organization of the
sport, the Japan Sport Fukiya Association.  It is not meant to
discourage anyone from participating in the sport, rather to encourage
their long term dedication and sportsmanship, and to define an
international standard, with a goal of having the sport sanctioned as
an Olympic event.

Without national and international minimum documented standards of
performance, equipment, and competition regulations, the sport will
not be considered by the IOC (International Olympic Committee).

Two new web pages have been added to the NSBA website, dedicated to
shooting at moving targets. Viewers are strongly cautioned that this
should be done only once one has achieved a level of expertise at
shooting stationary targets, because of issues involving a high miss
and rebounding rate. (danger to surroundings, and observers)

http://www.enter.net/~craftsman/nsba/nsba.htm follow the link for tips
for competitive blowgun target shooting, to the advanced shooting, to
the moving targets page. Again, unless you are an expert (Silver level
or above) shooting at stationary targets, don't try this at home! Be
sure to properly secure the area, and take the precautions listed.

The topic has again come up. I'll be bringing mine to the June 24th
competition, for the "fun" part of the shooting.

This was one of three found on a back shelf in "Toys R Us" in
Northern NJ - have not been able to find it in any web listing for
sale. More info. when I find it.

Online picture at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/holidaygreetings.
msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=401

"Think you're a sharp shooter? Practice your hand-eye co-ordination
and have some
real action-game fun with the Air XXL Electronic Skeet Shooting
Game.

Automatic Launching Power
The Air XXL Electronic Skeet Shoot Game has an automatic disk
launcher, which holds comes with six discs. The discs are launched
using a remote controlled launch switch which can be pressed with
either your hand or foot. You can then practice shooting the discs,
using the air-powered dart gun, which has a rotating barrel with
four darts. The sharp-shooting air gun is easy to use and also has
an extra barrel
with four backup darts, so you'll always be stocked with ammo.

Indoor or Outdoor
The game's automatic disc laucher has a fast and slow mode,
depending on where you're playing and how much space you have. The
fast mode fires the discs up to 25 feet (8 meters) and is best
suited for the outdoors, or a very spacious room.
The slow mode shoots the discs a few feet and is better for playing
inside, where you might not have much space. The laucher makes a lot
of noise and the sight of flying discs and darts may get on your
parents' nerves, so this game
is best played for short periods of time or with no adults around.
The Air XXL Skeet Shooting Game is great for parties or whenever you
have a bunch of friends over."

We think the slow speed will be good for blowguns - but are testing
it to verify. The disks are 6 in. in diameter (about 15 cm) - not
yet sure about the speed, height or distance of the throws. Normal
selling price was USD $20.00

Stephane,

I left a post on the PhiSBA Yahoo forum for someone there to get in
touch with Jonathan, and have him contact you.

Hironori sent me a copy of the latest JSFA newsletter.  In it, he
translated some of the highlights ... representatives from Cambodai,
VietNam, etc. were participating.  I need to get in touch with him, to
see if they can start up national IFA affilaites in their countries.

Dave S.

Noon till dusk, Sunday Jan. 1st, 2006 at Bear Swamp Archery Complex in
Upper Mt. Bethel, PA - welcome in the New Year at a fun shoot. All are
welcome to observe or participate (bring your own blowguns and darts -
no size restrictions, this one is just for fun!). Rain, snow, or
shine - dress for the weather!

As always - FREE!

Pictures of the complex are online at:
http://groups.msn.com/BlowgunsNorthwestPlayersGroup/bearswamparcherycom
plex.msnw

E-mail me if you need directions: craftsman@...

May your darts always fly true!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Dan Wiley, faculty advisor for
the Hastings College SBA in completing the requirements for the 6
dan (Master) level.

Within one calendar year of shooting his first competition Gold
score, Dan managed to get in two more gold scores in NSBA sanctioned
competitions to achieve his Master rank.

In order to achieve the 6 dan, one must have first qualified as a 5
dan, by shooting a score of 175 or above in a sanctioned competition
out of a possible 210 points, from 10 meters at a standard
competition target (3 rings, the bullseye scores as 7 points being 6
cm in diameter, the inner ring scores as 5 points being 12 cm in
diameter, and the outer ring scores as 3 points, being 18 cm in
daimeter.  The target is centered at 160 cm above the ground (5 ft.
3 in.). The shooter fires 6 rounds of 5 darts each.  There is a 25
minute time limit to shoot the 30 darts, score each round and
retrieve the darts. International rules about the sport can be found
at the National Sport Blowgun Association website:
http://www.enter.net/~craftsman/nsba/nsba.htm
The requirement for the 6 dan is for a 5 dan ranked shooter to
complete 3 Gold ranked scores (175 points or above) at a sanctioned
competition, within 12 months after the first competition score is
certified.

Dan's qualifying scores were:  188, 190, and 177.

On Caveman's forum, there is a link that all should go to:
http://f2.webmart.de/f.cfm?id=1846053&d=0&r=threadview&a=1&t=2660125

A "Gift" to all, as it were.

Do me a favor -
Take lots of pictures, and send them to me with a write-up, I'll
feature it on the NSBA website "Friends" page.

Thanks.
May your darts always fly true!

craftsman@...

Dave S.

Program:

10h00-12h30: Demonstration and initiations
12h30-13h30: Warm-up/Lunch
13h30-16h30: Level Certifications
16h30-18h00: Competition

Place: Sevres (92), near Paris, France (*)

(*) Don't worry for your car, it won't burn, don't believe everything
at CNN, bad guys are now all in jail (200+), or soon... :)

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!