22nd annual World Atlatl Contest

Contestants throw themselves into atlatl competition at Valley of Fire

By Keith Rogers“I kind of like the idea of what people used to do to survive,” he said, smiling at his wife, Judy, who was standing at the base of Atlatl Rock, pronounced “aht-LAHT-’l.” The towering landmark 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas is where Anasazi hunters etched images of these throwing sticks in the rock wall’s black varnish more than 2,000 years ago.

“I have visions of grandeur of being a great hunter who can deliver a glancing blow,” Davis quipped. “I said, ‘Honey I’ve taken a mastodon down before with an atlatl.’ I think she believed me.”

In reality, Davis was new to the sport that for 22 years has drawn veteran dart hurlers from the World Atlatl Association to the park for their annual contest.

Some were competing in rounds Friday not far from where Davis and a dozen visitors participated in a demonstration.

The event continued with final rounds Saturday in which Carey McCormack was named grand champion. About 40 men, women and children took part in the contest.Comment:  Who knew there was a World Atlatl Association or a World Atlatl Contest and Endurance Challenge? Not me!

For more on the atlatl, see Montana Atlatl Enthusiasts.

Below:  "Derek Brockway, of Las Vegas, readies his atlatl throw Friday at the World Atlatl Contest and Endurance Challenge at Valley of Fire State Park." (Jerry Henkel/Las Vegas Review-Journal)