Learn about slingshots in our latest Ask SimpleShot episode!

Father-Son Duo Share Their Slingshot Journey

In the world of slingshot enthusiasts, the passion for the sport knows no age. This became evident when we met Grayden and Will, a father-son team from Indiana, at the Hocking Hill slingshot tournament. Their shared journey in the realm of slingshots is both heartwarming and informative.

Grayden and Will have become a regular sight at the tournaments over the past few years. Their dedication to the sport is evident from the fact that they’ve made it to nearly every tournament they possibly could. It’s hard not to appreciate their growth over time, with the father watching his son mature and vice versa.

Their introduction to the sport was quite serendipitous. It began with Grayden stumbling upon a YouTube channel dedicated to slingshots. As he recalls, “I saw the Channel first then [Will] saw it, and he’s like, that’s the Zach Channel.” This simple discovery spiraled into a shared passion when they started exploring various other channels and delving deeper into the world of slingshots.

For Will, the passion solidified when he attended his first slingshot tournament in Alabama. He admitted, “it really just got me on to it.” And from there, there was no looking back.

One of the questions that many newbies in the slingshot community grapple with is determining the correct draw length. Will’s method is rather pragmatic. He uses a piece of paracord to mark and measure, adjusting as needed until he gets it just right.

However, the sport is not without its challenges. Aaron from New River, Arizona shared a problem he faced with his eldest son’s slingshot technique. The child had accidentally hit his thumb with the clay ball multiple times. Will’s advice was to practice on aligning the wrist correctly using a vertical pole, ensuring it’s straight. This simple practice can help in preventing the slingshot from canting forward, which usually results in thumb hits. Additionally, exploring multiple grips can also reduce the chances of injuring one’s thumb.

Another challenge that most slingshot enthusiasts face is band failure. Grayden pointed out that tapered bands, which have less material at the tapered end by the pouch, often break due to the intense stress during a shot. His advice for Richard Johnson from Walla Walla, Washington, who faced band cuts close to the pouch, was to ensure the slingshot doesn’t have sharp pieces that could cut the band upon release.

Accuracy and aiming are critical in slingshots. When questioned on the best way to aim, especially when the target is low or at a greater distance, Will emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent anchor point. He compared the body positioning to that of archers, suggesting that one should pivot at the hips and adjust their whole frame accordingly.

In conclusion, slingshots, though seemingly simple, require a lot of technique, practice, and passion. The bond between Grayden and Will and their shared love for the sport is truly inspiring. Their journey, knowledge, and dedication to the community is a testament to the spirit of the sport.