The aim of the game is simple – hit any part of a clay target with one of two rounds from a 12-gauge shotgun that travel at up to 1320 feet per second.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But the execution is far from easy.
Warrnambool Clay Target Club president Mal Dyson, 68, who is gearing up to host this weekend’s Seaside Classic, says the shooter needs to fire as soon as possible.
And it isn’t hard to understand why – the clay pigeons are launched out of the shooting range at 79 km/h and will travel approximately 48 metres on a randomised horizontal angle of up to 45 degrees.
The annual Seaside Classic, now in its seventh year, is expected to pull more than 100 competitors from Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.
Mr Dyson, who has been involved in trap shooting for more than 20 years, said he loved the inclusive nature of the sport.
“You can start at 12 years old and go until you can't shoot anymore,” he said.
“We sometimes have a teenager out here with an 85-year-old shooting beside them. So men and women of all ages can easily compete.”
Warrnambool’s Steve Muller, 53, said he looked forward to rubbing shoulders with some of Australia’s best trap shooters this weekend, in what will be his very first Seaside Classic.
“Concentration is the key – you’ve just go to keep your eye on the target,” he said.
“I love the challenge of it and all the people involved.”
The Seaside Classic runs from February 8-10 with total nominations costing $250.
