There’s A Darts Team Whose Members Are Completely Blind – Meet The Optimists
A group of friends have come together to form a darts team. However, all the members of the team are completely blind. They use a simple technique to help them “feel” the bullseye.
Claiming to be Britain’s first darts team comprising of only blind members, they call themselves “The Optimists.” As expected, the team isn’t quite proficient at ensuring their darts end up on the board. Teammates Richard Pryor, Rachael Beresford, Carol Pirret, and Sharon Waters candidly admit some wayward darts have already caused quite some damage to the inside of their local pub The Dolphin Inn in Grampound, Cornwall. However, with diligent practice, the group hopes to hone their skills and take on professionals on a regular basis.
To get an idea about the center of the dart board, the members employ a simple technique. Using a nail and a string, the shooters try to feel the center of the dart, reported the Daily Mail. The string is measured to end at the regulation distance a dart shooter is supposed to stand from the board. Once the player reaches the end of the line, they grab the cord with their spare hand and throw with the other.
The 15 group members claim to be working hard to hone their skills, and feel they are ready for their first match, reported the Independent. Their skills are nowhere near the professionals, though the best member of the team, father-of-two Mr. Pryor, 68, is now able to hit the board about two out of every three throws.
Speaking about the unique endeavor, Pryor, a former social worker said, “The landlord mentioned that the Rotary Club had organized for pubs to take part in a fast darts competition. He asked if we wanted to put in a blind darts team. After three pints I am up for anything and we said yes.”
The team jokingly confirms that no member or the audience who comes regularly to see the blind dart players trying to score have been injured. However, they admit here has been quite a bit of damage to the door and around the board.
“Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. I have been blind for nearly 40 years and I have a superb time, I wouldn’t swap it for anything. However, on the night people might want to stand back a little bit as I don’t think we get any points for hitting the spectators.”
Despite having lost the gift of sight to various medical reasons, the blind dart players have already successfully participated in a fast darts contest, where teams score as many points as possible in 90 minutes.
[Image Credit | SWNS]
