North Saanich Rod and Gun Club (NSRG) celebrated National Range Day on Saturday, June 7, by opening its doors to young enthusiasts, offering them a unique and educational experience in the world of shooting sports.
The event, held at the club's McTavish Road range, focused on introducing youth to firearm safety, marksmanship and the club’s rich heritage.
Among the attendees was 17-year-old Ryan Fathi, who described his excitement at handling a vintage Colt 537 Python revolver.
“It felt heavy, but I still can’t believe I fired a piece of history,” he exclaimed.
“It’s a very high competition gun,” said Gary Byrne, a member of NSRG’s pistol group. “They quit making it in the late '60s – it’s a very accurate gun.”
The event saw boys and girls eager to try their hand at a variety of firearms, including pistols, airguns, black powder guns, rifles and shotguns. NSRG members provided expert guidance and coaching.
Participants were equipped with protective glasses and ear muffs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable learning environment.
NSRG president Colin Quail explained the purpose of the special event was to allow club members to invite family members, kids and grandchildren, as well as non-club members, to have a better understanding of and experience the sport in a safe environment.
"The people who arranged the setup here today on behalf of the club have tried to focus on that safety aspect. They zoned it very carefully; it's not as segregated as you see it normally, but when you have an inexperienced group coming in, safety is number one,” he explained.
John Ling, NSRG’s junior program director, echoed the importance of safety and education. "Do it and identify what is safe and what is not safe," he said. "And then we introduce them to basic marksmanship skills."
Ling elaborated on the junior program's focus on competitive-style shooting, which emphasizes precision and composure.
"It's Olympic-style shooting, single shot, with a target, so they need to be as calm as possible," he explained.
Ralph Lowe, NSRG vice-president, described marksmanship as the core principle of the sport.
"The idea is to shoot a bullet downrange into a target, and the next bullet as close to that first one as you possibly can," Lowe explained. "That’s marksmanship and accuracy, and that's the idea."
Lowe emphasized that shooting is a sport that can be both team-driven and individual, offering personal rewards through self-improvement.
"You compete against yourself for personal benefit…most people, when they get a good target, they just put it in a book and save it," he said. "They don't go waving it around at all – it's your reward."
NSRG’s junior program currently includes members from eight years old to 21, primarily practising with air guns.
Each session begins with a one-hour safety briefing, ensuring that all participants understand the importance of responsible firearm handling.
Ling described the rewarding experience of seeing young shooters achieve their goals.
"You can see their face light up. The first time they hit the target, they see the target paper with holes in it and they’re happy," he said.
Fathi, who attended the event with his mother Tyra, described the exhilarating feeling of hitting his target.
“I don't know how to describe it, but like, automatically you shoot and then when you miss and hit it the next time, it’s like a surge of dopamine,” he explained.
The event also highlighted the club's history, with attendees exploring three indoor shooting bays.
According to Lowe, “the entire facility contains remnants of the Commonwealth Games in 1994.” Following the games, they gave the wood, panels and tables to a few local gun clubs.
“That’s what created the infrastructure here and we’ve been maintaining it ever since,” he explained.
The club’s history dates back to the early 1900s; according to official records, it was founded in 1913, Byrne added.
NSRG has grown through the years and now has 400 members.
“We are a private club, but we're open to the public,” added Lowe.
On National Range Day, one bay, managed by a local black powder group, showcased historical firearms, including two cannons and an original Snider rifle, “older than Canada” itself.
The combination of enthusiastic young participants and knowledgeable coaches created a positive and memorable atmosphere at the NSRG’s National Range Day event, fostering a new generation of responsible and skilled shooters.
The day successfully introduced young people to the sport of shooting, emphasizing safety, education and the rich heritage of the North Saanich Rod and Gun Club.
