Firing line: Shooters Andrew and Peter, who did not want their surnames published, take aim at Geelong Pistol Club.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
MENTION pistol shooting and it conjures up many different notions, from wild westerns or cops and robbers shoot-outs to more-sedate Olympic competition.
All of that is catered for at Geelong Pistol Club as president, John Kennedy explained.
He said the dynamic action of International Practice Shooting Confederation matches offered a higher degree of spectator engagement.
An American innovation, the IPSC events had grown in popularity because they offered a greater all-round challenge, he said.
“Competition rules can be complex, with all sorts of variations involving the calibre of the handgun, type of ammunition and different size and distance targets,” John said.
IPSC shooters had to blend accuracy, power and speed into a winning combination, he said.
Multiple targets, moving targets, targets that react when hit, penalty targets or even partially covered targets, obstacles, movement and competitive strategies were all part of the challenge.
The action matches involve holster shooting, positions behind barricades, at various distances from a target, using left or right hand or from a prone or sitting position.
The club counts a former world champion and two reigning Australian champions amongst its ranks.
Club member Brian Kilpatrick was the first non-American to win the ISPC world championship.
Anita Mackiewicz became Australian ladies champion during NRA world championships at Blacktown in October, while Suzy Soldini is the reigning ISPC Australian champion.
The club also caters for Olympic and Commonwealth games-style pistol shooting events.
“Because of the vast amount of events, people tend to specialise in something they like,” John explained.
The sport attracted people from all walks of life, from professionals to tradespeople along with an active junior rank.
“The juniors are strongly supervised by parents,” John said.
“In fact, all areas of the club are supervised. We are perhaps the most regulated sport in existence.”
John said Victoria Police, government regulatory bodies and state and national pistol shooting bodies sanctioned all club activities.
“People can’t obtain an authority to compete or own a firearm unless they’re checked out first,” John said.
“That means this sport is not for everyone and, quite frankly, we don’t seek to attract just anyone. The people who are here are involved because they enjoy the sport.
“We don’t have a high membership but we do get new members coming through on a regular basis.”
John said more information about the sport was available at ispcvic.org.au or by emailing gpcinc@dodo.com.au.
