The East Coast Slingshot tournament is the largest slingshot event and gathering in North America and much anticipated by slingshot enthusiasts every year. Folks from across the nation gather in Alverton, PA at the Alverton Sportsmans Club to share the love of slingshots through fellowship and competition. This year there were 43 registered competitors and plenty more folks who who attended just to shoot for fun. This year saw slingshot enthusiasts arriving from as far away as England and California, going to show the popularity of this event.
The tournament format consists of a variety of targets and settings in order to determine the champion. The shoot consists of 3 paper targets, two of which are shot at 10 meters and one at 25 meters. 10 shots per target are shot with a perfect score per target being 30 points. Next is the field event where each shooter has one shot each at 30 3D silhouette animal targets at unknown distances, culminating with the long range gong shoot. The gong shoot consists of each shooter taking five shots at a 24" diameter steel plate at 70 and 40 yards. No practice shots are allowed, each hit counts for one point. Finally, there is the speed shooting event where each shooter has the opportunity to shoot as many shots as possible at five soup cans at a distance of 10 meters. The more you hit, the higher the score. A total of 15 points is possible here. A perfect round (which has never been shot) is 145 or 146 with the bonus 3D target. This year the reigning champion and Team SimpleShot member, Ray Bazonski, was finally dethroned! Ray has won this tournament for the last three years and his nickname 'The Iceman' is quite appropriate. Ray is one of the very best shooters in the nation and his ability to focus under pressure is legendary. This year also saw several other well known shooters such as Michael McClure (MJ), Bill Hayes, and others. Team SimpleShot took three of the top five spots this year with Nathan Masters, SimpleShot Founder taking first place with a score of 135. Second place to Ray Bazonski with a score of 129 and Angelos Giouzepis in fifth with a score of 106.
As always, the fun in the campground and the night shooting was legendary with Team SimpleShot member Brandon Bronson (Btoon84) delivering one glow in the dark challenge target after the next for everyone's shooting pleasure. To say that this event was fun is a massive understatement. If you love slingshots and you can make it next year, put it on your calendar now!
