Fremont Indian State Park, UT

Fellowship of the Atlatl

In the mountains of central Utah, a unique competition draws enthusiasts from around the world who share a passion for an ancient hunting weapon: the atlatl. Predating the bow and arrow as both a hunting and battlefield weapon, the atlatl is a short shaft fashioned from wood and bone with a handle at one end and a notch or point at the other. It is used to cast spears or “darts” about five feet long. In effect, the implement gives the caster additional leverage and torque, thereby increasing the penetrating power of the dart.

The Fremont Indian State Park in Sevier, Utah, has hosted the competition for the last nine years, drawing an average of 60 competitors. Pete Weimer, assistant park manager and organizer of the event, has seen the “Annual Atlatl Contest” grow each year. Today, there are four separate competition groups.

The main event consists of a target course and an accuracy round, with differing divisions for men, women, and youth. The target course consists of a half-dozen marks laid out in terrain that includes deep ravines and small hills, forcing the competitors to cast their darts uphill, downhill, and sometimes through brush.

The second part of the competition is an accuracy round in which competitors cast five darts at a 15-meter target, one dart at a time, in turn. The contest is scored similar to golf, with the purpose being to attain the lowest possible score.

Added to the main event are demonstrations and instructions on the use of the atlatl, a workshop on constructing the weapons, a mountain-man rendezvous, Western arts & crafts booths, covered wagon rides, and guided tours of the park museum.

“We have really made this competition into a full experience for the entire family,” comments Weimer. “You can definitely make a trip of it, and the park scenery is beautiful.”

Camaraderie is what draws competitors to an event involving a prehistoric hunting weapon, Weimer explains.

“With there being absolutely no money to be garnered from competing, and a little plaque being the only material thing you take home with you when it’s over, the true value from participating comes from the relationships that are created and enjoyed.”

Trina Pikyavit of Teasdale, Utah, recent winner of the women’s division, agrees. “I enjoy meeting the people involved. Last year we had people here from Belgium, France, and Italy. It’s something that individuals with completely different backgrounds can instantly connect with and become fast friends,” she says.

With this in mind, a good performance, or lack thereof, is a moot point for everyone involved. The key isn’t how well you perform but how much fun you have.

“You can come out here and make a fool of yourself, but no one cares,” Weimer adds.

“The benefit in competing is in the ability to use the event to chart your own self-improvement,” explains Pikyavit. “Through the constant participation and practice, there comes a point where you find your ‘stance’—your particular body position where everything falls into place and just clicks.”

Looking beyond the challenge, the camaraderie, and the friendships made, the atlatl clearly connects people at another, deeper level. When throwing the primitive hunting weapon, one can imagine the time when comforts of modern technology were nonexistent, when survival depended on one’s prowess and the complete cooperation of the tribal community. It was the harsh reality of that distant past that made community the key to a prosperous life.

This is not lost on these competitors who’ve managed to link the past with a present-day spirit.

Greg Loebel is a freelance writer from St. George, Utah.

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