With over 15 years of experience, Óliver Alberto Espinel has become a key figure in the world of shooting sports on the island of Fuerteventura. At just 34 years old, he has etched his name into the annals of the sport as a national champion in a highly demanding discipline that requires intense concentration to break the clay targets. He dedicates countless hours to training alongside his companions from the Sociedad de Cazadores Unión Antigua, honing his skills and perfecting his aim.
Óliver’s journey into shooting began when he was just 19. “I went one day with my father to a training shoot in Tiscamanita, and although I was just a spectator, I was allowed to pick up the shotgun and shoot at some targets,” he recalls. This initial spark ignited a passion that led him to pursue training and even obtain a firearm license, marking the beginning of his serious commitment to the sport.
A significant influence on Óliver’s development was Israel Rodríguez, affectionately known as El Maestro. “He was the one who involved me in this sport,” Óliver states, highlighting the important role Rodríguez played in his journey. His father, Agustín Alberto, has also been a steadfast supporter, accompanying him to competitions and participating in various events, further fueling his passion for shooting.
During weekends, whenever work commitments allow, Óliver travels to the shooting range in Tiscamanita, located in Morro Negro. This venue has become his training ground. “We gather several members of the Sociedad de Cazadores Unión Antigua there to train,” he explains. They typically shoot between 50 to 75 targets, using machines that launch the clays at various trajectories. “This way, we can practice more precisely,” he details, describing the meticulous preparation involved in honing his skills.
Shooting sports can be financially demanding. Beyond obtaining a firearm license, one must invest in a competition-grade shotgun and cover additional costs associated with training and events. Óliver is grateful for the subsidy he currently receives from the Ayuntamiento de Antigua, which helps offset some of the expenses he incurs during competitions.
Hunting Course
Throughout the season, Óliver actively participates in two main shooting disciplines. The first is the hunting course shooting, which mimics real hunting scenarios. Shooters aim at artificial targets of varying sizes and velocities, launched from machines at strategic points along the shooting course. The second is Compak Sporting, where targets are launched across a 40-meter wide and 20-meter deep space.
Espinel: “In the hunting course, we simulate hunting with targets”
Of the two, Óliver prefers the hunting course, explaining that “it simulates hunting with targets along a course with various points, making it less monotonous than Compak Sporting.” Typically, in a hunting course, there are four different fields, and shooters fire at 200 targets over the course of three competition days.
Óliver is the current champion of Spain in hunting course shooting, a title he earned last year during a competition held for the first time in the Canary Islands. He topped the podium in category B, hitting 172 out of 200 targets, and secured an impressive eighth place in the absolute category, just four targets shy of the top position.
European Championship
Recently, Óliver represented Fuerteventura at the European Championship in hunting course shooting, which took place in Seville. “It was a unique experience, with over 600 shooters participating. I finished in 180th place,” he reflects. This result was commendable for his first appearance in a continental competition, especially considering the challenging conditions of rain and cold that are typically not encountered in the Islands.
The Championship of the Canary Islands is set to take place in June in Tenerife, marking Óliver’s next ambitious goal. He is also gearing up for the initial competitions of the season in the Compak Sporting category.
For Óliver Alberto Espinel, shooting sports is more than just a hobby; it’s a serious pursuit that he approaches with dedication each day. He invites anyone interested in trying their hand at the sport to visit the shooting range at Tiscamanita, which is open every weekend, though he reminds them that “it is necessary to have a firearm license.”
