Arcs Loisirs/Débutants

The different types of bows for leisure or competition

While traditional bows such as hunting bows (one-piece or takedown) or longbows are used for leisure and competition, you will mainly find classical bows and compound bows at high levels in the most publicized sporting events.

Competition classical bows

Classical bows (or recurve bows) are used by competitors in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, at the World Archery Championships, and on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.

They consist of a handle, two limbs and various accessories allowing the archer to be very precise:

- the sight
- the stabilization
- the clicker
- the arrow rest and the plunger button

Without some of this equipment, it then becomes another weapon called the bare bow or barebow.

Competition compound bows

Compound bows will make their debut at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028! They are featured in the World Archery Championships and on the Hyundai Archery World Cup circuit.

Equipped with pulleys that allow for a lever effect and power to be multiplied for maximum shooting comfort and increased accuracy, the compound bow is the most mechanized bow in archery.

It will be more powerful and faster than a classical bow, but will require more knowledge of bow mechanics.

The competition compound bow must be equipped with:

- a sight, a scope with a magnifying lens, a peep sight
- an arrow rest
- a complete stabilizer and weights to ensure bow stability and shooting accuracy