GUINNESS SPEED SHOOTING RECORD
In August 1999, SPTA member Dave Powers, pictured below, set a new Guinness record of 21 accurate arrows in a minute at the annual Speed shooting competition in the heart of Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe.
Society for the Promotion of Traditional Archery

SPTA/GUINNESS RULES FOR SPEED SHOOTING

The competition is for the greatest number of arrows shot into a target in one minute.
1.   Bows and arrows shall conform to SPTA rules. (Available from the Society) .    Bows may be self-nocked.  There shall be no sight or mark on the bow limb. Strings may be of natural fibre or "Dacron".  Any form of arrow-nock, including cross-nocks, may be used.  Four-fletched arrows may be used.
2.   The bow shall have a minimum draw-weight at the Archer's normal draw-length of 30 pounds for a man and 25 pounds for a woman. Special classes may be created for heavy bow weights at the discretion of the competition organiser.  (Bow specifications for Juniors at the discretion of the event organiser).
3.    At each shot the bow shall be drawn until the fingers touch the face.
4.    The arrows may be kept in a quiver or stuck vertically into the ground near the Archer.
5.    The Archer shall receive no assistance during the contest.
6.    Archers shall shoot for one minute.
7.    At the start of shooting (on a signal agreed in advance) the Archer may have an arrow nocked on to the string but the bow has to be undrawn. Shooting shall cease immediately upon an agreed signal.
8.    Arrows are to be shot singly.
9.    Archers shall shoot from a standing position (particular variations may be permitted in cases of physical disability)
10. The target face shall be placed centrally on a boss or butt.  It shall be circular, of a pale colour, the centre indicated by a clearly contrasting spot of 4 in. diameter, the centre of which shall be 4 feet above the ground. The diameter of the target in inches shall be equal to the number of complete yards in the shooting distance. The minimum shooting distance shall be 15 yards.
 11. Qualifying arrows: An arrow embedded into the scoring area will count towards the total and any arrow whose shaft touches the line demarking the scoring area will also be counted. Arrows already loosed at the time of the 'stop' signal shall count toward the score if they qualify.
12.  Arrows which are perceived to bounce back may be counted if positive evidence exists of their having bounced from the target face or from another countable arrow.

Dave Powers setting the Guinness Record in 1999

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