It either has happened already or will happen sooner or later to all of us. Either we get injured and/or we get older; and our ability to be agile and speedy in our sports of choice diminishes. Should we just give up, start playing checkers in the park, and go away or soldier on? Let’s cogitate on that.
Several years ago at a large match (probably a Nationals in Las Vegas because it was HOT) a pair of younger shooters were standing near me complaining about two older members of their squad. These gentlemen were both Super Seniors. “Those guys should have known when to just give up and quit.” said one young man. “They should just squad all the old fogeys together” said the other. I just turned to them and said “They were your age once too…happens to all of us, if we are lucky.” and went back to running the next shooter.
Except here is the thing. They were complaining about the two old gentlemen who were helping with reset while they stood to the side in the shade and let everyone else work “to protect their score”. So, next shooter I grabbed two bottles of water and invited the older gentlemen to sit and take it easy for a bit “pace yourself in this heat” I advised. Then I invited the younger gentlemen to take their place. They wisely chose to do so. The older gentlemen got a kick out of that. “First pasters I’ve seen either of them apply” they chuckled.
Our last not multi-gun Las Vegas Nationals was in 2012 or thereabouts, I believe, so I would have been in my very early 50’s instead of my early 60’s now. Believe me, I’ve lost a step…okay, several steps, since then too. And I am sure there are young folks that will complain about me one day as well, if they aren’t already.
Here’s the point: Our sport is for everyone, especially Steel Challenge. As long as a person can safely navigate a course of fire and handle their firearm appropriately there is NO REASON they cannot compete. And age isn’t the only disability in play. We have shooters without a leg, or two. We have shooters without an arm, one without two arms…yes really.
There is absolutely no reason to discriminate against anyone just because they are not young, fast and strong any more than we can discriminate for any other attribute; race, gender, color, length of/lack of hair, being left handed, color blind, and so on.
And this goes for all levels of competition from local matches on up through Nationals. There is zero reason to exclude anyone from any level of match for any perceived or real lack of physical ability as long as they can be safe.
Many of us, myself included, are out there for the fellowship and participation. I know I am not going to win anything. And if I get to visit the prize table it is likely as not a collection of used foam ear plugs, a Nalgene knock-off water bottle, and a half empty jug of lead wipes that will be left by the time I get there. But I still keep doing it. Not as often as I used to or as often as I would like, that is for sure. Life happens.
We have rules specifically about accommodating those with differing abilities in all three of our rule books specifically because our sport is for everyone that wants to play and can safely do so.
Back in 2010 in the afternoon after a local match, I apparently decided, while riding my motorcycle, to see if gravity was still working. It was although friction failed me. I destroyed my right shoulder and broke my right ankle and got a little road rash. As soon as I could, I ordered a left hand holster and started dry firing as a leftie. Hint: There is nothing that helps your weak hand shooting more than HAVING to shoot weak hand only for several months. It was static steel matches only for me for several months. It was almost a year before I could draw with my right hand and 18 months before strong hand only was safe/possible.
Did my clubs tell me “no, stay away, you are broken and slow”. Nope. They were the ones that suggested I get a left hand holster and start shooting steel again. Of course they gave me a hard time in a good natured way; because they were my friends and that is what friends do. But they welcomed me and made allowances for me so I could continue to enjoy the sport.
Here’s the thing folks: We are all going to be there one day. Either because of injury or other disability or because we are lucky enough to live long enough. If you choose to hang it up it entirely or not, is on you. If you realize you cannot be safe anymore running around with a loaded gun, then maybe focus on Steel Challenge. Or, maybe, if you can’t be safe it is time to step aside. The decision is entirely up to you and your maker (and listen to your family if they are concerned).
Meanwhile, don’t complain about the old fogeys moving slow. Someday, you might be that slow mover.