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Longbow building in process lots of wood chips and a partially built longbow
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Bow Making Immersion |
Come build something real.
Come listen to the wood.
Come listen to the wood.
Seven Days on the Sunshine Coast, BC
Come to coastal BC and spend a week immersed in all things bows. This is slow craft - a deep, hands-on journey into the bow world - shaping wood, learning by feel, and making something that will last.
Limited to 5 students per session. 2026 dates now open!
Come to coastal BC and spend a week immersed in all things bows. This is slow craft - a deep, hands-on journey into the bow world - shaping wood, learning by feel, and making something that will last.
Limited to 5 students per session. 2026 dates now open!
Not just a course. An apprenticeship in old ways.
Over 7 days, you will:
Over 7 days, you will:
- Craft your own Pacific yew longbow, starting with a raw stave
- Add tip overlays or horn caps
- Make a dozen arrows tuned to your bow
- Get a chance to shoot using instinctive archery techniques
- Identify yew trees and what to look for when harvesting
- Swim in hidden river pools, rest on quiet beaches, and take time to reconnect
Rhythm of the Week
7 day in-person workshop: 8:30am - 4:00pm each day
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC (qathet regional district)
We begin on Sunday morning and finish end of day the following Saturday, giving you a full week to immerse in the bow building process - with time to breathe, shoot, swim and sink into the rhythm of the craft.
7 day in-person workshop: 8:30am - 4:00pm each day
Location: Sunshine Coast, BC (qathet regional district)
We begin on Sunday morning and finish end of day the following Saturday, giving you a full week to immerse in the bow building process - with time to breathe, shoot, swim and sink into the rhythm of the craft.
What it Costs
Course Fee: $1400 CAD until December 31, 2025; $1500 CAD from January 1, 2026
Course Fee: $1400 CAD until December 31, 2025; $1500 CAD from January 1, 2026
- Includes all materials & use of tools for bow and arrow making
- Deposit of $200. Balance due 2 months prior to start date
- List of lodging options located within walking or short driving distance provided upon request
What You'll Build
- A Pacific yew bow, longbow, flatbow, paddlebow: shaped by your own hands
- Your choice of tip overlays or horn caps
- A dozen arrows matched to your draw length and bow weight
- Plus the deep, personal experience of learning to listen to the wood
The Bow Craft Process
You'll start with a raw stave of yew, and over the course of the week, slowly and respectfully bring it to life.
The process includes:
You'll start with a raw stave of yew, and over the course of the week, slowly and respectfully bring it to life.
The process includes:
- Shaping and tillering your bow by hand
- Learning how to read the grain and tension of the wood
- Understanding the different bowyer tools
- Flemish twist bow strings
- Backing options available, though not needed
- Adding handle wraps and finishing touches
- Guidance on caring for your bow long term
Arrows & Archery
You'll also build a set of 12 arrows, tuned to your bow's draw weight and length.
This includes:
You'll also build a set of 12 arrows, tuned to your bow's draw weight and length.
This includes:
- Self-nocks and wrapping
- Cutting and gluing fletching
- Adding field points or broadheads
Note on Readiness
Skill level: No prior experience needed - just curiosity, focus, and a willingness to learn
We recommend coming well-rested. The workshop is both rewarding and full. Some days are long - not because we rush, but because the craft invites you in (you may be dreaming bows by day 3). There's always time to pause & stretch :)
Skill level: No prior experience needed - just curiosity, focus, and a willingness to learn
We recommend coming well-rested. The workshop is both rewarding and full. Some days are long - not because we rush, but because the craft invites you in (you may be dreaming bows by day 3). There's always time to pause & stretch :)
Accommodation (optional)
For 2026, we’re able to offer simple accommodation at the housing cooperative where we live (down the road - about a 10 minute walk).
• Rooms in the common house: sliding scale $50–$100 per night (2-4 rooms available)
• Camping on the property: sliding scale $25–$40 per night (3 tenting platforms or space to park a camper van/small RV)
All spaces/camping have access to the common house kitchen, bathroom, and shared hangout spaces. Happy to share more details if you are interested in this...
For 2026, we’re able to offer simple accommodation at the housing cooperative where we live (down the road - about a 10 minute walk).
• Rooms in the common house: sliding scale $50–$100 per night (2-4 rooms available)
• Camping on the property: sliding scale $25–$40 per night (3 tenting platforms or space to park a camper van/small RV)
All spaces/camping have access to the common house kitchen, bathroom, and shared hangout spaces. Happy to share more details if you are interested in this...
Come build something real. Come listen to the wood.
Leave with a bow - and the memory of making it.
Leave with a bow - and the memory of making it.
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