Framlinghamian 2023-2024 Single page - web 144dpi - Flipbook - Page 267
SOF | OF SPORT: RIFLE CLUB
General de Wet range - targets in the middle distance
30s, and on the 昀椀ring point obviously
The shooting started with an introductory
much hotter. At one point our NZ friends
day, the Free State Provincial
measured 55°C. I have visited this range
Championship. We were able to use this as
three times previously and not encountered
an opportunity to con昀椀rm ri昀氀e zeroes, and
this relentless assault. Our South African
to get used to the conditions on the range.
hosts said this was very unusual and
were complaining too. With little shade
The range is commanded by Brigadier
in which to hide, it became essential
General Mac Alexander, a former South
for performance to keep hydrated and
African Army O昀케cer, and a living legend.
maintain electrolytic balance. We were
Ramrod straight, it is rare to encounter
advised to follow the Australian advice
somebody who exudes such quiet natural
to drink 昀椀ve litres of water, and at least
authority combined with kindness and
one litre of electrolytes per day. This is
tolerance. He starts the day with a
actually quite hard to do, and personally I
scripture reading and a prayer (in English
never exceeded four litres without feeling
rather than Afrikaans in deference to the
very uncomfortable. Sun protection was
visitors) and it is a sobering sight to see the
liberally applied to any exposed skin. If
range silent in contemplation, with heads
you were sitting by a pool with a drink to
bowed and hats o昀昀.
hand you might think it was very pleasant,
but lying down in the sun dressed in a thick
Mornings are generally quite pleasant
leather shooting jacket for up to an hour
with light winds and cooler temperatures.
became quite dangerous. There were
However, as the sun rises in the sky and
some casualties to heat stroke, but happily
with it the mercury, the wind becomes
not within our team.
increasingly thermal and tends to follow
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