About
I’m Tom. I started Asiatic Bows Australia because nobody here was dedicated to Asiatic archery.
G’day, I’m Tom, the founder of Asiatic Bows Australia. I started it because no retailer in Australia was dedicated to Asiatic archery, and I wanted these bows to be something you could buy here, from someone who shoots them.
Every bow on the site comes from a bowyer we trust: AF Archery, OKÇUBABA and METBOW among them. If we would not shoot it ourselves, it is not for sale.
What you get from a shop run by archers
- Afterpay and pay in fourEvery product in the store can be paid for with Afterpay.
- Shipped from Western AustraliaDelivery is worked out in the cart before you pay.
- Answers from an archerAsk us anything. Knowledge is meant to be shared.
- Help after the saleShipping, returns, pre-orders and anything else you need.
Why archery, and why me
How archery changed my life
I’m 30 and I live with disabilities in Western Australia. As a kid I watched Robin Hood films at my Aunty’s house more times than I can count, and King Arthur and William Wallace were never far behind.
Early on I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in more of my joints than not, which meant a lot of specialists and trips to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne. I tried cricket and footy after school, and every time I paid for it afterwards. One day I was playing with mates; the next I was in bed. Eventually I stopped trying.
In my twenties, with my health getting worse, I went looking for something that would keep me active without the pain. My parents had given me a recurve years before, so I picked it up again. It changed my life.
With my care team I have built archery into my treatment for RA and FND. On a good day I shoot every other day, 300 to 400 arrows at different distances. On the days I can’t, I fletch arrows, make bowstrings and research articles. The shooting keeps me moving, and the fine, careful work trains my neural pathways against the FND.
That’s my story, and it’s why archery is part of every day I have. If you read this far, use the code “LIVE-FREE” for 5% off. Thanks for taking the time to get to know me.