All posts by Cheryll

Atlatls Showing Up All Over. Find an event near you or create your own.

The Thunderbird Atlatl shop has been busy trying to keep up with production. We are having a great time but do caution camps and other organizations, making larger orders to give us a call if they are facing time constraints.

This weekend, check out the atlatl event at Meadowcroft in Pennsylvania. Meadowcroft is a great place to visit and the atlatl competition is always fun.

There are two other scheduled atlatl events on the WAA calendar. If you are in either of these areas, stop by.
June 19-21 Gooseberry Festival ISAC Tournament held at the Grundy County Fair Grounds, Trenton, MO. For times and location contact Steve Spencer at 660-359-3635 or 660-654-3904 or email barbspencer@cebridge.net. Camping available at Crowder State Park.

June 20
NWTF 4 Rivers Chapter Jakes and Whistler Event on June 20th at Ron and Lois Keevens Farm, 546 Keeven Ln., New Haven, MO 63068

The program will be teaching boys and girls, ages 8-16, how to use the Atlatl. Pre-register with the NWTF 4 Rivers Chapter. Any volunteers please contact Dawn Wagner at 636-597-5029 or by email dawn83170@yahoo.com There will be an ISAC after 3:30

World Atlatl Day- Look for an event near you.

Saturday, June 6, is World Atlatl Day. There are several events planned throughout the country. Check to see if there is one somewhere near you.

World Atlatl Day (WAD) was initiated by Linda Brundage and the New York Atlatl Association in 2011. Due to its popularity, the WAA membership attending the 2012 Annual Meeting voted to officially recognize the first Saturday in June of each year as World Atlatl Day.

Here are a list of events planned for World Atlatl Day 2015:

June 6 ISAC and World Atlatl Day to be held at George Millers Farm, 3168 Horizon Drive, Brockway PA 15824 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The location is 15 miles north off rout 80 on route 28 and 219. Equipment for beginners will be provided. Contact George Miller at gmmiller@brockwaytv.com or phone 814-590-6462.
June 6
World Atlatl Day Competition and ISAC
Glen Oechsner’s Residence, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Contact Glen (920) 533-5039
Can also call (920) 528-7454 or e-mail at lenmaryr@excel.net or wisatlatl@gmail.com
June 6
Athens Public Library OAA will host atlatl accuracy contests – Ohio locals, ISAC, IASAC, World Atlatl Day team contests. 10:00 am – 5:00pm.
Contact Ray Strischek for more information,
Home Street (ohioatlatl@hotmail.com) 740-331-4351
Athens, OH 45701
June 6

World Atlatl Day. The event will be held at Gary Nolf’s Residence in Westbrook, CT. There will be an ISAC and completions. For more information contact: Gary Nolf (860) 575-4263 or gnolf@comcast.net.
June 6-7
World Atlatl Day and Fat Blanket atlatl throw & ISAC. Cheyenne, Wyoming
Open to all, equipment and instruction cheerfully provided.
Sponsored by the Wyoming Atlatl and Social Club.
Contact: Russell Richard coyoteclown@aol.com (307) 772-0550 for location and time.

Atlatl Events over the Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend Atlatl Events

Marshall Primitive Archery Rendezvous

Use your atlatl or bow at the Marshall, Michigan Primitive Archery Rendezvous this weekend. This is a great event with a great 3D target round. Unfortunately, Thunderbird Atlatl has had to cancel our plans to be at this event due to a family situation but atlatlists should still plan on attending the event and enjoying the various activities. For questions contact Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520. https://www.facebook.com/MarshallPrimitiveArchryRendezvous

Learn to Catch a Fish Family Picnic/Red, White and Blue Balloon Rally
Letchworth State Park — Castile, New York ISAC (Friday 4pm – Sunday 4pm), New York Atlatl Association, Inc. events (Team, Individual, Hunter and European) except during picnic time noted below. NYAA fully insured event. “Learn to Catch a Fish Family Picnic” 11am – 4p.m. on Saturday with no fishing license required at a stocked troup pond, free picnic and door prizes. “Spear-fishing” Carp Target Derby and a variety of learning stations. “Red, White and Blue Balloon Rally” with massed balloon flights at 6:30 pm Friday through Monday, weather permitting. Nearby camping, cabins and lodging available. For information contact Douglas Bassett at 585-493-3625 or Douglas.Bassett@parks.ny.gov. http://www.letchworthpark.com/events.htm

Primitive Pursuits Day
Primitive Pursuits Day in Ithaca, NY, Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Ithaca, NY

Dr. Pol Learns About the Atlatl

We are back to the Northeast after a couple of weeks in Florida. It was a nice break from the frigid temperatures in upstate New York but even the Floridians were battling colder temperatures.

While we were gone, National Geo Wild posted a video of Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl showing Dr. Pol of The Incredible Dr. Pol reality show how to use an atlatl. Bob and Cheryll Berg’s son, Peter, works as a field producer at the show and we stopped by to see him in July 2013.

Enjoy the video of Dr. Pol using the atlatl!

Stay Warm With Atlatl Fever at two Florida Knapins in February

Looking to get away from the winter weather, Thunderbird Atlatl will be at two Florida events in February. Bob Berg will be offering workshops at both events. You can sign up for the workshops by contacting us at our 800 number – 800-836-4520 or email us at contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com Information about the events and workshops are below:

SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN AND STONE AGE ARTS FESTIVAL

The annual SILVER RIVER KNAP-IN AND STONE AGE ARTS FESTIVAL will be held at the Silver Springs State Park on February 20th, 21st, and 22nd (Friday, Saturday and Sunday). Expert flint knappers, archaeologists, potters, hide tanners, bow makers and other specialists in prehistoric skills will gather from across the eastern U.S. to demonstrate and sell their arts. Vendors will offer reproduction stone tools, raw stone, flint knapping tools, unique crafts, food and more.

There will be archery, tomahawk and atlatl dart throwing demonstrations each day. A flint knapping competition and on-going prehistoric skills demonstrations will also take place. Besides the knap-in, visitors can explore the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, take a tram ride through the woods, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River. Please note: Friday is a student day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The program is open on Saturday and Sunday to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

International Standard Accuracy Competitions will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the atlatl range. All are welcome.

Thunderbird Atlatl will hold two workshops on Thursday, February 19, at the museum. Information is below:

Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Morning Workshop.
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Morning Workshop: Make a modern atlatl and three darts from Thunderbird Atlatl kits with Atlatl Expert Bob Berg from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday, February 19, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The goal of this workshop is for each participant to finish an atlatl and 3 darts. Participants will learn how to straighten and fletch darts. This is a great way to get into the sport. Students may choose from four different Thunderbird Atlatl Kit styles. Other benefits of taking Bob’s workshop are the background information he passes along, as well as teaching you how to use atlatls. It is a great way to have all your questions about the atlatl answered. The workshop fee is $65 per participant and is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com.

Event Title: Atlatl (Spear Throwing) Afternoon Workshop
Event Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015
Presented by: Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatls
Details: Atlatl Workshops at the Silver River Museum Afternoon Workshop: Make a primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts from natural materials. Atlatl expert Bob Berg will lead participants in making their own atlatls and darts from a variety of locally available materials. Bob will bring bamboo dart blanks. The goal of this workshop is for participants to take home a traditional or primitive atlatl and three stone pointed darts. They will learn how to use stone tools in making the atlatls and darts, natural fiber cordage, fletching, the use of hafting resins and more. Materials will be provided. The workshop will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Silver River Museum in Ocala, Florida. The workshop fee is $65 per participant. (Take both workshops for $110). The workshop is limited to 10 participants. For further information and to register contact: Thunderbird Atlatl at 800-836-4520 or contact@thunderbirdatlatl.com. There will be ISACs at the range at 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Can’t make it to the Silver River program or just want to continue enjoying the atlatl/flintknapping experience, then come to the The Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival at Ochlockonee River State Park, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 27, 28 and March 1, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

This is the 8th Annual Stone Age and Primitive Arts Festival. Come and enjoy bow, atlatl and flintknapping competitions, demonstrations and how-to workshops. New at this year’s festival is a dugout canoe display and hands-on demonstration. There will be a lot to do, see and participate in at this year’s festival. Free with regular park admission.More Information:Park Services Specialist Jason Vickery, 850-962-2771, jason.vickery@dep.state.fl.us Located in the Northwest region at: Ochlockonee River State Park, 429 State Park Road, Sopchoppy, FL 32358

Bob Berg of Thunderbird Atlatl will be offering stonetool workshops on Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday. The workshops are $25 per person. Contact the park for more information. There will be an ISAC on Saturday at the range at 4 p.m.