Ayre Clay Target Club is a premier shooting facility located on 22 acres of scenic coastal land at Blue Point near Andreas on the Isle of Man. Established in 1976, the club offers an exceptional shooting environment for both novice markspeople and competitive experts. The facility's defining feature is its stunning natural terrain, utilizing undulating sand dunes bordering the Irish Sea and backed by rising, bracken-covered cliffs. This unique coastal topography provides some degree of cover for traps and shooters alike, eliminating the need for artificial shooting towers while offering highly diverse and realistic clay flight elevations.
Infrastructure and Automated Equipment
The club’s facilities have evolved significantly from its early days in 1976, which began with manual traps in a gravel pit. Today, the site features a permanent, custom-built clubhouse completed in 2003, which serves as the administrative hub and provides hot catering services during events. Key highlights of the club's automated infrastructure and layouts include:
Two modern Down the Line (DTL) ranges, which were upgraded to fully automated layouts in 2005.
An Olympic-standard 20-meter trench equipped with a full 15-trap Olympic setup.
An English Sporting layout, widely considered to be the finest and most challenging on the Island.
A dedicated team of staff, including an in-house chef who serves hot meals during Sunday shoots and leagues.
Offered Shooting Disciplines
The facility is fully equipped to host 11 distinct domestic and international shooting disciplines. While disciplines like Double Rise, Helice, and Compak Sporting are not currently shot, the active rotation provides ample variety for all preferences. The core disciplines practiced on the grounds include:
English & Olympic Skeet (ESK, OSK): Utilizing high and low trap houses to throw single and double targets across seven or eight shooting stations.
English & FITASC Sporting (ESP, FSP): Designed to simulate live game hunting with an infinite variety of targets, speeds, and trajectories.
Sportrap (STR): A compact version of sporting layouts fitted into a limited space with five stands and up to five traps.
Down the Line (DTL) & Automatic Ball Trap (ABT): Fast-paced trap disciplines with horizontal spreads throwing targets at speeds of up to 50 meters.
Olympic Trap (OTR), Universal Trench (UTR) & All Round (AR): Highly challenging trap variations and mixed multi-discipline tournaments.
Prestigious Events and Competitions
Ayre Clay Target Club is the northern hub of competitive shooting on the Isle of Man, having hosted numerous high-profile international and regional championships. It famously hosted the Olympic Skeet and Olympic Trap events for the Island Games in 1985 and 2001, and the English Skeet Home International in 1991, welcoming dozens of UK and international competitors. Additionally, the club has hosted the European Division of the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (CSF(ED)) Championships in 2000, 2004, 2009, and 2013. On a regular basis, the club engages with the community by organizing:
Summer and winter league competitions in English Skeet, DTL, Sportrap, and Olympic Trap.
Annual charity fundraising shoots for the British Heart Foundation and the Manx Game Preservation Society.
Corporate team-building days, birthday celebrations, and private stag or hen parties with tailored shooting experiences.
Training Safety and Target Groups
The facility caters to a diverse audience, providing an inclusive and exceptionally safe environment under the guidelines of the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA). Certified safety officers are always on duty, and professional coaching is available for beginners. The club regularly hosts dedicated "Young Shots" and "Have-a-go" days, encouraging newcomers of all ages to try the sport. The facility is ideal for several target groups:
Novices and Youth: Beginners are provided with essential safety gear, including ear protection, peaked caps, and toughened safety glasses.
Competitive Athletes: Elite shooters can practice on Olympic-standard layouts under challenging, breezy coastal wind conditions that simulate international competition environments.
Families and Groups: Anyone seeking a safe, engaging, and unique outdoor sport in a picturesque seaside setting.
