The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 40 Snowbirds hosted its Marksmanship Competition for three Air Cadet units from across southern Saskatchewan on Saturday at D.V. Currie Armoury.
Cadets competed against two other five person teams as part of a series of zone competitions held across Canada to choose teams from each province to compete at the national level.
“Shooting in general is something I quite enjoy and it’s a chance for me to take something I’m good at and help out others and be a leader,” cadet Richard Tipper said.
RIchard’s father, Major Kevin Tipper of 15 Wing was onhand to help with the day’s event and said its just one more facet cadets learn along the way. “It’s a great program that’s so well rounded and offers to build on different strengths –– it really makes it an incredible program.”
“Cadets used to use .22 calibre (in marksmanship) and converted in the 90s to air rifles,” Lieutenant Ronley Arnold said. “The reason being is it gives more options in where shooting can be performed and it’s also an international sport, and one we encourage.”
Air rifle sports, such as the 10 metre air rifle shooting event has been growing in popularity and is one of the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) governed shooting events included in the Olympic games.
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