Behind the calm and relaxed exterior of Al Ain hides a place that’ll get your excitement levels right on target. Abu Dhabi Week headed to the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club to check out their state-of-the-art shooting ranges

Growing up in semi-rural New Zealand, we’re not unaccustomed to shooting as an activity in our outdoors arsenal of fun. Shooting in a controlled environment seems like a fun way to keep up those skills, so we jump at the chance to check out the facilities at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club (AESGC).

Driving through the main gate of the AESGC, we get a sense of just how vast the facilities are. Grassy, wide-open spaces stretch out before us and the distant crack of gunshot fills the air.

We wind our way down the tree-lined road and at last reach the shooting club, run by Mr Saif Al Shamisi, shooting manager and board member of AEGSC, which is in the throes of being swished up for an international shooting competition.

Ducking past colourful flags, we find the entrance and are welcomed by Mr Magdy G. Ragab, shooting assistant technical manager and our friendly host for the action-packed afternoon.

Mr Magdy is passionate about the facilities at the shooting club and is happy to explain the ins and outs of how the range works. And what a range! There are shooting disciplines to suit everyone, from children and beginners right up to competitive gunslingers.

First on the agenda is a tour of the indoor ranges with technical shooting manager Mr Atef Seoudy. He is every bit as enthusiastic as our host, and our first stop is the 25 metre pistol and 50 metre rifle ranges.

Both ranges boast electronic scoring systems, accurately recording each

shot and feeding it back to the computers. LED displays above each shooting bay display your score as you go, meaning that friends and family (who are welcome to come and watch your shooting prowess) can keep tabs on the action from the tiered seating area.

When you’re done you can even print out a tally of your score, making it easy to compare your sessions.

As we check out the rifle range, Mr Seoudy demonstrates the different stances that a shooter can take – we like the look of the prone position, as we’ve always fancied ourselves as a bit of a sniper!

With skilled instructors, the shooting club is well-equipped (to exacting international standards) to teach those new to the sport how to shoot safely, while giving experienced shooters the facilities to enhance their skills.

Next it’s on to the ten metre air gun range, a great spot for young shooters or those of us who are a wee bit nervous around guns! This range is the perfect place for kids to start off their shooting education under the watchful eye of the professional instructors. A chair in each shooter’s spot can be used for the small, or the vertically challenged!

As the ranges are being prepared for international competition, we aren’t able to have a go ourselves, but once we begin a tour of the outdoor ranges we get to see some of the action up close.

Outdoor ranges at AESGC are large and lush and offer skeet, trap, double trap and sport shooting. The aromatic waft of gunpowder hangs in the air and we start to get a slightly itchy trigger finger. We sneak in quietly and watch a group of young men who are learning to shoot for the first time.

Each participant is taught not only how to safely load and shoot, but also how to disarm and carry the weapon when not in use. We watch the men take their first shots, impressed by the instructors’ firm but approachable teaching style. The firmness pays off and the men are all shooting the fast-moving targets accurately and safely within their first few shots.

We move on to the range next door and are lucky enough to catch the end of a sport shooting competition. A representative of the UAE is up against an opponent, both men looking very serious and very focused. Before we can even see the bright orange discs they’re aiming at they’ve already shot them!

The high quality of the ranges and tuition at AESGC means that whether you’re looking for a fun afternoon or wanting to train at a competitive level, you’ll find the exact requirements to suit your purpose.

The ranges are open from 2pm to 9.30pm, Monday to Saturday with private lessons available from AED 150, or AED 500 for a group of four.

Sarah Widdup

What? Indoor and outdoor shooting ranges
Where? Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club
We say: Give it your best shot!
Contact: www.aesgclub.com