Bored in lockdown? Interested in living out your dreams of being Katniss Everdeen for a day? An archery company in Toronto is looking to inspire people across the city to take up archery as a hobby at home.

Arrowsoft Sports is a small business specializing in archery equipment for beginners. While the company focuses on promoting archery within schools across the city, founder Ed Wong believes the sport is beneficial to everyone.

“Archery is so ingrained into human culture — it’s across every culture across the planet, on every continent," Wong says. "Yet, we’ve come to this point in time where the majority of people who live in cities and suburbs have never done it before."

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Staying at home is the best thing we can do now to help stop the spread of Covid-19. It's also the best chance to pick up a new hobby. With social distancing expected to last through spring, it can be tough to get outside and clear our minds. Take this time and learn archery at home with our backyard archery set. Great for getting your mind off the stress and safe for children. Let's do our part. Stay home and stay safe. Link in the bio. #arrowsoft #archery #learnarchery #stayhome #staysafe #stopthespread

A post shared by Arrowsoft Sports (@arrowsoftsports) on Apr 3, 2020 at 8:30am PDT

According to the World Traditional Archery Organization, bows and arrows were once used as weapons for survival in ancient societies thousands of years ago. As weaponry evolved, the need for the traditional bow and arrow became outdated and was rather used as a toy than to hunt and kill.

“We’re classified as a toy more so than archery equipment. Do it in your backyard and have fun or explore,” Wong says.

With a background in manufacturing and mechanical engineering, he’s created and patented foam-tipped arrows that are safe to use just about anywhere.

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We brought some bows and arrows to a park and THIS happened. . #urbanarchery anywhere, anytime, any age! . These backyard archery sets are now available. . Music: @listentobamboo . #foamarchery #archerytag #battlearchery #combatarchery #arrowsoft #bowandarrow #larp #larping #backyardarchery #funinthepark #urbanarchery

A post shared by Arrowsoft Sports (@arrowsoftsports) on Oct 29, 2017 at 3:10pm PDT

Arrowsoft Sports is currently registered with the Ontario Camps Association and is technically allowed within schools as a sport if gym teachers support it. But liability concerns have many teachers hesitant to do so.

Wong says he and his partner were in talks with the York Regional School Board and had reached out to camps across Ontario to bring their archery kits into their curriculums before the lockdown started.

“A lot of orders that were pending were put on hold because of the uncertainty surrounding COVID. We got hit quite hard,” he says. 

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Archery for the new age. Safe, fun, and easy. City or country, archery can be enjoyed anywhere by anyone. #arrowsoft #arrowsoftsports #startarchery #archery #arrows #citypark #parkfun #picnicgames #newhobby #concretejungle #archerylife #targetarchery

A post shared by Arrowsoft Sports (@arrowsoftsports) on Aug 12, 2019 at 9:45am PDT

But while his hopes to establish firm partnerships and deals with schools and camps may be delayed, it’s not stopping him.

Wong has now pivoted his operations to target anyone living in Toronto or beyond to show them the benefits of archery while managing his business for as long as he can.

“We’re doing what we can to survive. Shooting an arrow and releasing it provides a kind of physical and emotional tension to be released,” he says.