A record was set at the opening blind draw of the three-day Shoot on the Bow, held Aug. 22–24, as the event continues to attract a who’s who of Alberta’s darts community.
Tournament chair Ellison Smith said the women’s entries nearly doubled this year, while 60 men competed—12 more than last year.
Among them were some of the sport’s biggest names: Robbie Mills, ranked No. 1 in Alberta and No. 4 in Canada; Clint Clarkson, Canada’s top-ranked player and No. 3 in Alberta; Mike Dwyer, Alberta’s No. 2; and Brenda Moreau, Alberta’s top-ranked women’s player.
Mills, originally from Cape Breton and now based in Edmonton, was making his first appearance at the tournament.
“Good setup, well run, nice and quick… no complaints here,” he said.
Clarkson, known on the oche as The Clintcher, recently cemented his status by winning men’s singles at the 2025 Canadian Darts Open.
The archer, who started his career in Victoria, B.C., and now lives in Calgary, said the competition with Mills and other top-ranked players is fierce but respectful.
“We play each other a lot—probably more often than I’d like,” he joked.
“No friends on the line, friends off the line," adds Mills.
Still, that allows for a kindred spirit of Canadian darts players hitting the international circurit.
"Across Canada, the top players work together to help each other improve," said Clarkson. "I want to see Robbie win something big internationally, he wants me to do the same, and we want that for all Canadian players pushing to excel on the world stage.”
The next major stops for both players include the Klondike in October, followed by Masters in Thunder Bay, both World Dart Federation's ranked tournaments, then the World Masters in Budapest.
“It’s not easy to qualify, so we never take it for granted,” Clarkson said.
For him, one of darts’ greatest strengths is its accessibility.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new or an international player—the emotional experience is the same. A good throw feels good, a bad shot feels bad. Everyone in the room shares that same high and low. It’s humbling, and it levels the playing field.”
Clarkson beyond the physical challenge of long days on the oche, there’s also a mental toll.
“You’re on the floor 12 to 16 hours. Your arms and legs get sore. But mentally, you have to pace yourself. If you try to stay intense when you’re not in a match, you’ll burn out before the day’s over.”
Along with Clarkson, Mills embraces the challenges it poses.
“The competitiveness—playing different people, one game at a time, trying to be the best you can be—that’s what I love,” Mills said.
Clarkson echoed the sentiment.
“Where else do you get that heart-pounding stress, knowing one throw could end your day? It’s that make-or-break moment. I don’t get that at work, but I sure get it here.”
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Now in its ninth year, the Shoot on the Bow has become a fixture on the Alberta-ranked darts calendar, typically held the same weekend each year. While registration numbers vary due to player commitments, it consistently attracts a mix of veterans and newcomers—including promising youth players competing in the adult draw.
“They don’t get as many tournaments as the adults, so this gives them a chance to face stronger players and get valuable experience,” Smith explained.
Players came from across Alberta and parts of British Columbia.
Registration for Cochrane's dart league closed yesterday, and play gets underway in September. Twelve teams were expected to register.
