The weather at this range can't seem to make up its mind, but the shooters sure can- and their mind is set on persistence. We've held shoots in Orlando with below freezing temperatures (in Florida!), temperatures reaching 100°F, and now we can add a flood to that list.
We kicked off our weekend with a history introduction, followed by a measure of skills- the venerable Redcoat! Our shooters, some quite new to rifle shooting, showed they had plenty of room for improvement- that is, all but one. Jim, a returning student, set out to prove he knew what he was about by clearing the Redcoat right off the bat. Nice shooting- and with a centerfire rifle to boot!
We started to turn on the firehose of instruction, and the students were happy to put it into practice. With no bad habits to break, we were shooting quarter-sized groups before lunch. This stuff works!
Fast forward to about 3pm- we've fine-tuned our students, we've posted our first AQT, and JC/DC is wrapping up the Third Strike- it's almost time to start putting their skills to the test. Alas, nature has other plans. We retreat for a short time to allow a storm to pass, only to find most of our bay under 6" of water when we return just 20 minutes later. This is a little too wet for even us Floridians, so we agree to reconvene bright and early the next morning.
Sunday morning's Redcoat showed that even with Saturday's adventures, something must have sank in. Dramatic improvement in the scores was to be had across the board. We confirmed our zeroes after some overnight maintenance activities, then jumped right into an AQT. We knew we were working against the clock- rain predicted in the afternoon again, and saturated ground that still hadn't fully dried from the afternoon before made for a grim prospect.
By Sunday afternoon, we'd revealed one new Rifleman and several others that are right around the corner from making that score. I know with another event several of these students will be proud to say they're Riflemen. Remember, a Rifleman persists. Dry fire, practice those transitions, study your guidebooks, and come back again. I have a patch ready for each of you.
Thank you to the Central Florida Rifle and Pistol Club- they've been incredibly supportive of our program. I encourage you to consider joining their club if you're local to the area.
Here are a few (a lot) of photos from the event. Thank you to the parent who was able to capture so many moments!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8b8KaXLr54fwQFxi7 (https://photos.app.goo.gl/8b8KaXLr54fwQFxi7)
I pulled out a few of my favorites here:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczOpOl6ugJzqJROhdfdm5Vlu5uOG1rV7ZcIzobSo1Qsef_UTfZkMP500Lyzs5skMLuenBI0Hvq4Fq54x-XOX89LNNYjlG7oq46x679yD3HiPKxkuNHOsbTEnuSW4MLgtiuQY3NjsvUECPFXqHmv3deYQ=w1239-h929-s-no-gm?authuser=4)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczPfpG25O0RrDOMvS5TqtvbPXleSD0isdRyM8rr9-J614mIDyEkV7xHvwzvnz8Gy28BgER8128F9ZTP5HINVJxN6MAATUnTGEALeuq4qL8bFs-Vdav7PM7V0r5oCBAOy4C5_P88I9T1wrB6QcdHYlXQH=w1652-h929-s-no-gm?authuser=4)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczM7hYZ3AQsk26deeIz7UOfhWP1CRnRXEeTPduT3bQbtRFUfMdMjJee_g9AATOn50zPTQSELa-5VOKMnKY1LmWG4Emp-fRDqx707lLUy-pW5aZzUWbjphGt8ql1PuBUIQ8wD8dakje3UCQAA_3mPp_lM=w697-h929-s-no-gm?authuser=4)
What a pleasure to spend the weekend with a fine group of students and instructors at the CFRPC. I hope to see everyone on the line again soon. I saw improvement in skills, coupled with can-do attitudes from all the students. CFRPC is always kind to us. Please share the story of Appleseed and CFRPC with anyone you know.
You guys didn't put pool noodles and floats on your list of supplies? :tsk: :tsk:
It looks like an exciting shoot. RIP canopy - I hate it when that happens. It looks like you got the rifles up before the worst of it though.
Great pictures.
It appears that the firehose of instruction was overflowing in Orlando.