MARK RUBIO YOUR SENIOR 3D CHAMPION

Tell us a little bit about your background in archery. What got you started and how did you get involved in competitive archery? I started archery like most folks do: to extend my hunting seasons. I soon found out that I enjoyed shooting my bow so much that it, of course, became an obsession. I started going to the local fun shoots and worked my way into the groups of archers that were always at the top of the scoreboards. Meeting them and shooting with them only got me more involved with the target side of the sport. I just wanted to compete and have fun doing it. Shooting in Northern California there are some of the best archers in the world to learn from, and I took advantage of that and continue to learn from them today.

How many tournaments do you participate in each year? Which is your favorite and why? When it comes to the fun shoots, they start in February and go on through August. There is a shoot somewhere within 100 miles of me almost every weekend and I try and hit them all. For the national shoots, I go to The Vegas Shoot, Break The Barriers (NFAA 1-Arrow 3D), and Redding (NFAA Marked 3D) every year. I have been to NFAA Indoor Nationals, First Dakota Classic and NFAA Outdoor Field Nationals in the past. If I were to have a favorite, I would have to say Redding. I really enjoy the range and, of course, orange spots.

What's the upcoming 2023 tournament you're looking forward to? I am looking forward to getting up to Darrington, Washington to shoot Outdoor Field Nationals. It’s been several years since it’s been back here on the west coast and their range is a beautiful place to shoot a bow.

With 3 major podium wins this year (Vegas, BTB and Redding) our readers are surely curious: What do you do in preparation for events? My preparation for theses events is just getting out and shooting my bow. For indoor, I go to as many league nights as possible as well as any “money” shoots that are at the various shops just to get that extra feeling of nerves so I can learn how to try and keep them under control (which, by the way, I still haven’t figured out). For outdoor, again, I just get out and shoot every chance I get. My local range is only 10 minutes from work so I can sneak out there at the end of the day and get an hour and half of shooting in. I practice mostly on field and hunter targets, but I do put up orange spots on the bales so I can get ready for those safari style shoots. It makes it nice to walk the courses and shoot the varying ranges.

Do you have any tips for beginners or young archers? My favorite thing to tell most people is “just shoot your bow.” What I mean by that is get out there and learn what your tendencies are by shooting. Shooting a bow is something that you will only get better at if you practice. You can buy all the best stuff out there but it won’t shoot itself. Learn your bow by spending time behind it and feeling what those “good shots” feel like and re-enforcing those actions.

I would like to say to all those archers and shops that have helped me along the way: Thank You. Archery has become such a great addition to my life even if I had a late start. I have met some of my best friends through this sport, and I continue to meet great people. The one thing I have noticed is that most people in archery are out to enjoy themselves whether it's at a nationals or a “fun” shoot. I have fun even if my shooting is not going so well. I will always find something good so I keep coming back for more.

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