The Salt and Light Archery Experience as Tested by Yours Truly (AKA Someone Who’s Never Used a Bow and Arrow Before)
Back when I was a teenager, I consumed a lot of YA books where the protagonist was most likely proficient in archery. Fast forward to a decade later: I’m now an adult, and I’ve learned that archery is still a popular sport.
I’ve heard from friends that Salt and Light Archery is one of the best archery schools in Singapore, so I immediately booked several classes. If you’re curious about what this archery school does, I wrote this guide for you.
Things to Know
Address(es):
- 750b Chai Chee Road 02-01B
- 2A Clementi Rd
Operating Hours (both locations):
- Monday to Saturday—9 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—9 am to 6 pm
Contact Number(s):
- Chai Chee Road: +6584886484
- Clementi Road: +6584886424
The Difference Between the Two Locations
Salt and Light Archery has two locations: one on the West Coast and another in Chai Chee.
The main difference between the two is that the West Coast range (70 meters) is much longer than the Chai Chee one (18 meters). It also has more boards (16) compared to the other (10).
Another difference between the two is that the Chai Chee range is located indoors and is air-conditioned. Meanwhile, the West Coast range is located in West Coast Park, under an underpass.
Both locations hold classes and competitions. They can even accommodate more than 100 people during an event.
How to Get to Salt and Light Archery West Coast
Car: If you’re driving, the nearest parking lot is the West Coast Park Carpark 2. If that one is already full, your next option is the CMT car park opposite Fragrance Hotel.
MRT/Bus: If you prefer public transportation, you’ll need to ride both the MRT and the bus. You can either alight at Clementi MRT and ride bus services 175 and 176 to the range, or alight at Haw Par Villa MRT and ride bus 30, 51, 143, and 200.
How to Get to Salt and Light Archery Chai Chee
Car: The nearest car park is on Block A or E.
MRT/Bus: You have two options for public transportation. First, take the train to Bedok MRT, take Exit A, and then ride bus services 2, 24, 25, 28, or 67. Or alight at the Kembangan MRT Stn, and ride bus 2, 7, 24, 25, 28, 30, 33, 67, or 854.
Fees
If you’re a beginner or amateur, you’ll only be paying for your class. But once you’re not a student anymore and you just want to come to the range to shoot some arrows, you’ll have to pay a fee.
Your options are as follows:
If you don’t have your own equipment, you can rent a bow here. These are the rates:
Archery Courses
Beginners
The great thing about Salt and Light Archery is that it’s extremely beginner-friendly. There are many classes for beginners, and some even cater to children as young as five years old!
I’ve personally taken the 1-Hour Guided Funshoot and Basic Archery Courses (for both Modern Recurve and Compound), and I had a great time. The instructors were kind to me, which boosted my confidence, allowing me to improve day by day.
Here’s a full list of the classes for beginners if you’re interested.
If you’re interested in any of the classes above, be sure to book as soon as possible. Slots will be available for booking three months in advance, and they tend to sell out fast, so grab your slot while you still can!
Certified Archers
Say you’ve finished several of the beginner courses and you still want to learn more. Well, now you can move on to the programs made especially for experienced and certified archers!
Here are your options:
I haven’t tried any of the advanced programs, but I’m thinking of either getting the masterclass or the private coaching.
I like the idea of socializing with other people who are as interested in archery as I am, but I also like having a 1-on-1 session with the coach. Sometimes, I get self-conscious when shooting my arrows, so I appreciate having a little bit of privacy.
Plus, I like that private coaching allows me to customize my sessions based on my goals. I don’t have to worry about catching up with my peers. Now, I can just learn at my own pace.
Team Bonding Activities
Archery courses aren’t the only ones offered at Salt and Light Archery. There are also team-bonding activities that you can book for your birthday party or any other special event.
Currently, you have two activities to choose from: Target Archery and Tactical Archery Game (TAG).
Target Archery
Target Archery is perfect if you’re looking for an activity that’s fun yet simple to understand. This activity is pretty straightforward: there will be a row of targets ahead of you, and you and your guests shoot arrows at them.
You can keep the experience casual (just let everyone experience using a bow and arrow). But if you want to spice things up a bit, you can have a mini-competition and games!
One simple competition is trying to shoot the center of the target (it’s harder than you think). Another one is trying to shoot the center of the target in a limited time. The pressure of a ticking clock is terrifying but exciting!
Tactical Archery Game
If you want something that’s a bit more competitive, then you’ll like Tactical Archery Game (TAG). It’s basically a sport that’s kind of like paintball and laser tag. Only this time, you’re shooting your opponents with a bow and foam-tipped arrow!
I admit I really like this activity because it makes me feel like Katniss Everdeen fighting for her life in the Hunger Games. I have to be quick and strategic, and every time I take down someone with my bow, I feel immense pride in my chest.
This game is definitely not for people with a temper (I learned this the hard way lol). Feelings of frustration will surely rise to the top, especially if you’re struggling to communicate with your teammates, but just remember that this is just for fun!
Online Store
Interested in starting your archery journey but don’t have the gear yet? No worries because Salt and Light Archery has an online store, and it has everything you need: from bows and arrows to items that will keep your equipment lasting longer.
Aside from that, the online store has other types of merchandise as well. For example, there are caps, hats, socks, and shoes with the Salt and Light Archery logo.
If you don’t know where to buy your archery equipment, this store is a great place to start your search.