Shooting Industry Magazine

By Lisa Parson-Wraith

July 2008

Olympian Kim Rhode Promotes Shooting Sports

Kim Rhode is an avid outdoorswoman who is preparing for the 2008 Olympics.

The 2008 Olympics in Beijing are just around the corner and, once again, Kim Rhode of El Monte, Calif., will be representing the United States.

Rhode is the most decorated female Olympian shooter in history. In 1996, at age 16, she was the youngest U.S. Olympian ever to compete in shooting, and she brought home a gold medal from Atlanta in double trap. At the 2000 Olympics, she earned a bronze medal in double trap and in 2004 she earned another Olympic gold in double trap.

Double trap for women has been eliminated from the Beijing Olympics, so Rhode has taken on the challenge of going for gold in international skeet.

“This is kind of like starting all over again,” Rhode said. She competed in skeet at the 2004 Olympics, coming in fifth place, but double trap was her main focus.

“Skeet is taking the front row now,” Rhode said. “It’s an event that feels all new to me. I’m nervous and excited. It’s like going to the Olympics for the first time.”

Rhode also noted — with a laugh — that in 1996 she was the youngest on the Olympic team and now — at 28 — she’s the oldest.

Rhode’s other accomplishments include six double trap gold medals and one international skeet gold medal in World Cup competitions, and a gold medal in both of the 1999 and 2003 Pan Am Games. She has also received several industry awards, including the Shooting Industry Award from Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence in 1997.

Rhode’s unflagging promotion of the shooting sports is one of the reasons she has been so highly recognized. She is constantly giving speeches and appearing at events to promote the shooting sports. Rhode has been involved with several outdoor organizations such as the Scholastic Clay Target Program, The Wild Turkey Federation’s JAKES program and Safari Club International. Recently, she signed up as a spokesperson for the new outdoors online community MyHuntingRoom.com, which she describes as a kind of MySpace for the shooting community.

“Every person in the industry has a responsibility to introduce a person to the shooting sports,” Rhode said. “We all need to do more and get together to promote the shooting sports.”

Reach Out To Potential Shooters

Kim Rhode, “California’s Golden Girl,” is on a mission to preserve our
outdoor heritage by introducing people to the shooting sports.

Rhode said firearms dealers are an important part of the industry because “without them we wouldn’t be where we are and able to enjoy our Second Amendment rights.” Rhode thinks the firearm industry tends to “preach to the choir” and that efforts should be focused on reaching people outside the established shooting community. She suggested dealers throw an event to bring in new shooters and really get involved in their community.

Since Rhode has just become a spokesperson for SHE Safari women’s hunting apparel, one idea for reaching the non-shooting community is to host a camo fashion show for a local women’s club. Camo is a hot fashion item right now and SHE Safari’s figure-flattering cuts are sure to be a hit with women everywhere. SHE Safari is planning a line of clothing and shooting vests designed with Rhode’s input.

One of Rhode’s goals has been to focus on “outside-the-box” programs and opportunities to promote the shooting sports. For example, she was able to obtain a Nike sponsorship, which put the spotlight on the shooting sports and increased their visibility.

“The Nike sponsorship was a huge step for shooting and it’s just the beginning. Outside-the-box programs are so important and we need to do more of them,” Rhode said.

One of her other favorite outside-the-box promotions of the shooting sports is being the national spokesperson for the Kids & Clays Foundation. Kids & Clays is a charitable organization that raises money through shooting events, such as the Kids & Clays All-American Target Championships for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Ronald McDonald House Charities provide housing, meals, transportation and many other services to the parents of hospitalized critically ill children.

On the Kids & Clays Web site, Rhode states, “The outdoor sports are about kids and family, so it is only natural that we support the Kids & Clays Foundation. What better way for the outdoor community to display their generosity and compassion than to help raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.”

Last year, the Kids & Clays Foundation was able to raise $1 million through shooting events for the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Getting involved in this kind of charitable event can raise your store’s profile in the community and help promote the positive image of the shooting sports.

Dealers can be a part of the Kids & Clays foundation by becoming a sponsor, making donations and promoting the shoots. For more information, visit www.kidsandclays.com.

Getting People Outside

Kim Rhode is truly an ambassador for the shooting sports. In addition to her charity work, busy training schedule and numerous public appearances, she also co-hosts the Outdoor Channel’s “Step Outside” program with Doug Painter. Being a part of this television program is another example of Rhode’s commitment to introducing people to the outdoors. Produced in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the focus of the show is current outdoor enthusiasts introducing friends and family to traditional outdoor sports.

“We need to get people outside camping, hunting and fishing,” Rhode said. She said she hopes that through her appearances she can pass on the shooting and hunting heritage to people in cities because, traditionally, they are a big voting group and key to the preservation of outdoor spaces.

Kim Rhode’s tremendous shooting success has earned her the nickname “California’s Golden Girl,” but it’s her tremendous enthusiasm for the outdoors and her commitment to the preservation of our traditional outdoor heritage that truly makes her a shining example of giving back to the shooting community. She sets the bar high in competition and as an example of a positive shooting-sports role model.

As Rhode heads off to the Olympics, make it your store’s mission to publicize the efforts of the U.S. shooting team. Network coverage of shooting events has been nearly nonexistent in the past, but the shooting community can do their best to spread the word about Olympic shooting. Post a scoreboard of U.S. Olympic shooting achievements, profiles of the athletes and video recordings of any television coverage the shooting sports receive. It can generate Olympic dreams in the minds of young shooters and will boost the positive image of the shooting sports.
Best of luck at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Kim!

Arms And The Woman is sponsored by:

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