The Northern Southland College year 12 student. 17, made his New Zealand debut as part of a seven-strong team at the ISSF junior world championships in Lima, Peru.
He was the fifth-youngest at the competition.
The SBS Bank Academy Southland foundation athlete finished middle of the pack in the Olympic trap event, shooting 105 of the 125 targets he attempted over two days.
Experiences racked up thick and fast during the trip in Lima’s muggy weather.
Negotiating the busy and noisy traffic of the nation’s capital was a far cry from Lake Front Dr in Te Anau, and ordering off a foreign menu was also an eye-opener.
"We went out for an evening meal which looked good on the menu.
"I got Google translate out and it said steak and chips. It looked like steak so I had a bite and it was very chewy.
"In the end it turned out to be chicken gizzards — if you do not know, it is the muscle which moves the stomach to digest the food.
"Turns out I don’t like chicken gizzards."
Jack said he enjoyed two days of practice in the competition arena.
The arena provided him with his first experience of shooting in an enclosed range.
He hit the first target of his international career on day one, but was a "little disappointed" to shoot 20 from 25.
However, he also managed to come back from consecutive misses to shoot 10 targets in a row.
His next two rounds returned identical scores of 20 from 25.
He missed his first target on day two, but then shot 24 in a row for his best round of the competition.
Jack’s final round returned 21 from 25.
"I was a little disappointed as this is below what I normally shoot. I was a few targets off my usual numbers," he said.
"I got to talk to different competitors from different nations, which is really eye-opening, and to understand how they go about their study, work and shooting.
"They have invited me to go and shoot in their country one day.
"I would like to thank everyone for their support and help with sponsorship and support of my fundraising efforts. It was such an amazing experience."
Jack’s next big competition is at the Australian nationals in Sydney in January.
