Andy and AnnMarie Riggle were simply looking for a fun hobby to do together when they joined the El Dorado Archers in 2016.

Just two years later, the couple’s commitment to the recreational activity deepened when they signed up as instructors for the organization’s Saturday classes—and today, AnnMarie serves as president of the organization while Andy serves as co-lead instructor.

“We just showed up on a whim one Saturday and thought, ‘Hey, this looks like fun,'” said Andy Wriggle, “and sure enough, here we are now (eight) years later.”

El Dorado Archers is a local nonprofit organization that introduces the public to the art of the sport through a variety of classes for archers of all skill levels and ages, from eight to 80.

The group meets every Saturday at the El Dorado Archery Range, across from the El Dorado Nature Center. Classes are held on a first-come, first-served basis. These classes, which focus on Olympic archery for all skill levels, are led by volunteer instructors.

Classes cost $5 and participants must complete a safety course before officially beginning archery. There are 15 spots available in each class and registration begins the same day as the class.

Since 1985, the El Dorado Archery Center has offered archery lessons to the local community and maintains the archery range for the parks of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Archery Center)

Since 1985, the El Dorado Archery Center has offered archery lessons to the local community and maintains the archery range for the parks of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Archery Center)

Since 1985, the El Dorado Archery Center has offered archery lessons to the local community and maintains the archery range for the parks of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Archery Center)

Since 1985, the El Dorado Archery Center has offered archery lessons to the local community and maintains the archery range for the parks of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Archery Center)

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Since 1985, the El Dorado Archery Center has offered archery lessons to the local community and maintains the archery range for the parks of Long Beach. (Photo courtesy of El Dorado Archery Center)

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“We’re continuing to build (a community) that’s interested in getting involved,” Andy said, “and (the community) is also getting the opportunity to have something that I don’t know if other cities have — which is an active and still growing archery program.”

The program dates back to the 1980s when El Dorado Park hosted the archery competition of the 1984 Summer Olympics. After the Olympics, the El Dorado Archers were formed in 1985 to maintain the enthusiasm for archery in the Long Beach community.

The organization works with the city, which allows it to waive permit fees for use of the parking lots. In return, it maintains the target bales at the public practice ranges that many local archers use to hone their skills.

Over the years, the organization has been able to cover its maintenance costs solely through the $5 participation fee for the weekly Saturday classes.

But the cost of bale care has skyrocketed – and the company is struggling to cover expenses, according to Riggles.

“(The materials are) shipped from somewhere in the Midwest, which drives up the cost of refurbishing these things every 18 months to astronomical levels,” AnnMarie said. “I believe the cost to replace the bales on the range this year is about $7,000 to $8,000.”

The organization set up a GoFundMe page this year to ask the community for contributions to help cover these costs and ensure that these community facilities’ public shooting ranges remain in good condition.

The goal, according to GoFundMe, is to raise $9,500 by Sunday, September 22nd – the cost of replacing all 21 target bales.

“What also makes us unique is that it’s not just for kids and adults, it’s for the whole family,” said AnnMarie. “It’s a sport, an activity that the whole family (can do together).”

For more information about the El Dorado Archers, visit eldoradoarchers.com.