The microcosm of dwelling and mobility: 10 shots on target.

Authors: Beer, S.

Conference: Leisure Studies Association Annual Conference: Creating Leisure

Dates: 7-9 July 2015

Abstract:

Sean Beer, Bournemouth University

Abstract Small bore rifle shooting is an Olympic sport in its own right and also forms part of the biathlon in the Winter Olympics. At the same time many thousands of club competitors compete in a range of competitions from local to international levels. For some target rifle shooting is a simple leisure activity, for many it could be considered a serious leisure activity.

When shooting in a typical competition the competitor must focus their attention on the first aiming mark and position the rifle and their body in such a way that the 6 mm diameter bullet hits the centre of the 12 mm bullseye 25 yards away. This is with simple ‘iron’ not telescopic sights. In order to achieve high scores the shooter must be on target, relaxed, controlling breathing and heart rate. The competitor must then reload and move their position in order to hit the next aiming mark 8.4 cms from the first. At a micro level the competitor must dwell and then travel; they must assume a state of relaxation and centeredness releasing this only after an explosion of energy and then travel to a new micro position and repeat the cycle eight more times to completion.

This paper explores this process of dwelling and mobility on a micro scale by analysing three phenomenological interviews with competitors using Van Manen’s (1990) hermeneutic approach. The results of this analysis are then examined through the lens of Dwelling-Mobility (Todres and Galvin 2010) in order to understand some of the implications for the personal well-being of competitors.

References Van Manen, M., 1990. Researching the lived experience. New York: State University of New York Press.

Todres, L and Galvin, K.T., 2010. “Dwelling-mobility”: An Existential Theory of Well-being. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 5: (3).

Source: Manual