Kayak Archery in Malta: The Ultimate Sea Adventure with G.O.A.K. & A.I.M.

Get Out and Kayak
Jun 23
5 min read

Ever tried hitting a bullseye while floating on a kayak in a 16th-century harbour?

Welcome to kayak archery...

Only with G.O.A.K. and Archery in Malta.

Group of people with green kayaks and archery gear raising paddles and bows by a waterfront. Sunny day, stone building, and blue sky. — Participants gear up with kayaks and bows for the exhilarating G.O.A.K. and A.I.M. kayak archery event at the scenic Grand Harbour. Taken 2022

Welcome to the world’s only on-water adventure that fuses live-arrow archery, archery tag, and sea kayaking. This is kayak archery in its purest, boldest form. It’s part sport, part spectacle, and completely unforgettable.

🎯 The Origin: From Drones to Dockside Arrows

This idea didn’t come from a meeting. It sparked beside an archery range in San Ġwann and the buzz of a flying drone. At the time, we were still building G.O.A.K. into something real. Ray, from Archery in Malta, was running the archery range just around the corner, as he still does.

Tony Gee, a mutual friend, instructor, and all-around legend, was the missing link. One afternoon, while we were flying the drone at the range, the words “archery” and “kayak” met mid-air. Nobody remembers exactly who said it first. But once the idea was out, it stuck.

Just a few weeks later, on July 30, 2022, Kayak Archery came to life in the Grand Harbour of Valletta. Arrows flew over saltwater beneath centuries-old bastions. Kayaks rocked gently. Friends cheered. It was chaotic, epic, and totally Malta.

Ray, owner/operator of Archery in Malta, taking aim at a participant. — Ray, clad in a life jacket, skillfully takes aim with a bow and arrow in the scenic waters of Malta, providing a unique archery experience for participants. Krista in the background, most likely using Ray as a human shield.

🚣‍♀️ What Is Kayak & Shoot/Kayak Archery?

It’s the ultimate mashup of water-based adventure and precision. In short, it’s kayak archery brought to life.

Here’s how it plays out:

Phase 1: Paddle & Chill

You and your crew kayak out to a calm bay. It’s scenic, quiet, and sets the tone for the session...after safety briefings by both G.O.A.K. and A.I.M. instructors.

Group of people with kayaks and paddles on a sunny beach. Green and yellow kayaks in the foreground, trees and rocks in the background. — A group of brave new archers and kayakers, about to go to war with each other at sea with padded arrows and lightened bows. Here, they are getting the kayak safety briefing, from Turu, whilst Lella captures the space. This is just after a safety briefing from the instructors from Archery in Malta.

Phase 2: Targets & Tension

We set up floating archery targets on the open water. You use proper bows and live arrows. Drawing a bow while floating on a kayak? That’s when archery on kayaks gets real.

A young woman in a yellow life jacket practices archery on a calm sea near rocky cliffs. A blue and red target floats in the water. — Ani G, in a yellow life jacket, skillfully practices archery on serene waters whilst STANDING on a kayak, aiming at a floating target near stunning rocky cliffs.

Phase 3: Duck, Dodge, Draw

We switch to soft arrows and safe, low-poundage bows. Archery tag takes over. You dodge, fire, laugh, and repeat. It’s like dodgeball meets The Hunger Games...but wetter.

Turu in a yellow kayak adjusts his aim (kayak archery) by rocky cliffs and clear water. Others in background. Bright, sunny day. Text: WAVE SPORT. — Turu from G.O.A.K. playfully takes aim while kayaking near the picturesque cliffs, ensuring no harm to Lella, just some light-hearted fun on the water.

🌍 What Makes It Unique?

Archery experiences exist...kayaking experiences do too. But combining the two: live-arrow shooting while kayaking, followed by archery tag on water = something you’ll only find in Malta.

This is the home of kayak archery. G.O.A.K. and A.I.M. didn’t copy it...

we created it.

Man in water beside a neon green kayak, wearing an orange life jacket, holds a bow and arrow for kayak archery. Rocky wall in background, clear day. — Lawrence from A.I.M. expertly practices kayak archery, standing beside a neon green kayak of the GOAK fleet in the water.

💪 Who Is It For?

This isn’t just for elite athletes or action movie extras. It’s built for:

Team-building groups: Paddle, aim, and bond on the sea
Stag and hen parties: Make memories that don’t involve a bar crawl
Adrenaline junkies: If you love movement, competition, and sea spray, you’re in
Families and friends: Anyone 13 or older who can swim is good to go
Archery meets adventure sports as Lella (owner/operator of G.O.A.K.) takes aim on the shore from her Wavesport Hydra kayak.

✅ Safety First, Always

We get it. Shooting arrows on the sea sounds intense. That’s why safety is everything.

Live-arrow target shooting happens under certified supervision
Archery tag uses soft-tipped arrows and low-tension bows
Kayaks are wide, stable, and all participants wear PFDs under the watchful eye of G.O.A.K. Paddle UK sea kayak leaders
Everyone is briefed, trained, and guided throughout
Lella, owner/operator of G.O.A.K., wearing a red life vest, hat, and a take-no-prisoners smile, focuses intently as she aims her bow, with clear skies and textured cliffs standing majestically in the background.

You won’t fall in unless you want to. You will get your shot.

📆 Book It. Paddle It. Shoot It. Love It.

Philip S. in a green kayak on water aims a bow. He's wearing a red life vest and cap. Industrial port with cranes in the background. Clear sky. — Philip S., veteran G.O.A.K. member, in his own kayak, aims a bow on calm waters, sporting a red life vest and cap, with Malta Freeport and cranes as the backdrop under a clear blue sky.

We host open sessions, private bookings, and corporate events. Summer fills fast, so lock in early. These events only take place when we can use our sit-on-top fleet, found here. We kayak year-round with our sit-inside fleet (including night paddles and full moon events).