Lakeland Archers build world’s largest arrow, await Guinness confirmation
Ahead of the 2024 World Archery Championships, Lac La Biche stokes excitement with neat build.
It’s not a bird, or a plane, it’s what these archers believe is the world’s largest arrow.
Sitting at the Lakeland Archers field, Rene Schaub, president of the association, coordinated the construction of what they hope to be a Guinness World Record arrow, with a total length of 80 feet and 1 3/8 inches.
Blown up to 40 times to scale of a normal arrow, they believe they have smashed the current world record.
“If nothing else, it’s the biggest attraction for an arrow in the world,” Schaub told Lakeland Connect.
“I wanted to build something that would be unique and special attraction for people that are coming all the way here for Worlds. So that was the whole intent. That’s why we did the research and that’s why we ended up building what we ended with.”
Many people came together to make this shot in the dark come to light.
Schaub first asked Chris Mella from Archery Alberta to look the current world records.
Then, he contemplated what material to use. After thinking about steel and wood, Schaub decided aluminum would be best.
Through Guinness World Record requirements, the arrow needs to be to scale and with materials normal sized arrows would be made of.
“We took the 1916 aluminum arrow, and so we built it out of aluminum, and we found some tubing that was just under seven inches diameter, and with a five-eighths wall, which would be exactly if you took a 1916 aluminum arrow and blew it up as many times as we had to for the length,” he said.
Rob Kurk from Full Tilt Powersports donated the aluminum pipe for the arrow before it was sent to Savailin Enterprises and their lead fabricator Josh Hattaum for all the welding work.
“It was a great pleasure to work with Rene on it and to be a part of it. Our shop foreman, Josh put most of it together…the guys did a great job on it,” said Jamie Struges, owner of Savailin.
Maureen and Morley Smith donated money for the paint and decals. Lac La Biche Transport helped move the arrow to the range and lifting it into place. Routhier Contracting dug the holes and helping Daniel Reutov install the beams.
Lakeland Archers contributed the materials for the vanes, painting, and installation of decals.
World’s largest bow needed?
“We’ve been talking to them back and forth. Because to make a real arrow, you have to prove it can fly, that it could actually be shot. Now we’re going back and forth. We’re still talking to them about that…you would have to build a bow that could actually shoot the arrow,” said Schaub.
But that doesn’t mean the recognition front is dead. Discussions with World Records International are also ongoing.
Lac La Biche is again hosting the World Archery Championships in the fall of 2024 and this provides an extra flair ahead of the competition.
With thousands descending to the hamlet and area for the Worlds, Schaub was invited a few weeks ago to Berlin to talk to 93 countries at the World Archery Congress.
“It was one of the best ever and they just wanted to know, what is our secret? Before we did it, 120,000 people was the smallest city that it ever happened in,” he said.
“That’s the difference with small community. Everybody wants in, everybody wants to be a part about it.”
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