“Everyone in my high school had to have archery as a chapter of gym class,” says Bryan Helland. “This was well before any NASP programs. I just really enjoyed it and took to it. So, like most people, I headed to the local archery dealer and went on from there!”
Bryan now shoots a Conquest Apex, Monster, and DXT. He competes in the Pro Male Freestyle division and some of his recent accomplishments include the following:
- 2010 – Iowa Pro Am – personal best score
- 2010 – Vegas Shoot/World Archery Festival – perfect 900
- 2004 – Face 2 Face/Amsterdam – Silver Medal
His favorite memory during his archery career was shooting a 900 at Vegas. “It was special because my dad was there, as well as many friends who have supported and encouraged me throughout the years. They were all there to watch every arrow. Having that support was wonderful.”
Bryan credits his dad as being most influential in his archery career. “My dad and I started and continue to shoot together. He still goes to tournaments as well, just not as many as me.”
Bryan’s favorite part of archery is “seeing my archery friends. It’s always fun to see your friends, then head home to family, then see your friends again in a different city around the country!”
Bryan helps out with the NASP program at his child’s school. The school has competed at the state and national level every year. “It’s so much fun to see kids succeed in something they never knew they could do! I am also on our states archery board so I get to help out with running tournaments and changing policies.”
To any new archers out there, Bryan gives you this piece of advice: “Find a knowledgeable archer who can help you out from the start. It’s very important to get proper instruction from the beginning. It will make the sport much more enjoyable. I had helped several friends, and they are now very good archers. At the same time, I see other people who started at the same time and didn’t want help, and they have not had the same success.”
When not competing, Bryan says that his family is most important to him. He spends a lot of time with his wife and two kids, and they enjoy golfing, going to movies together, and taking long walks with the family dog.
Bryan Helland’s personal testimony regarding Mathews bows and Zebra strings:
“What I love about my Mathews bows is that they never fail me. No matter when or where I shoot, I always know my Mathews will perform. I love having a bow that I can just shoot and not have to constantly tinker with. My Zebra strings have never let me down, and the consistency of the strings makes it easy to change strings and cables when necessary. I never have a long break in time; in fact, I even changed my cable a week before Vegas this last year and never had one ounce of creep!”
