BCRules, the 30# reccomendation is just a nice "safe" reccomendation that gets the newby a shootable bow with some degree of decent cast. It prevents overbowing the newbies and thereby leading them to develop truly bad form. Its a common reccomendation because we have no idea what somebody can or can't handle. Generally the newby himself has no idea what he can or can't handle! The lack of let off is a big surprise to compound shooters.We can't see them shoot. (And BTW neither can you.) This is in line with Night Wing's advice to make an effort to get ahold of a real recurve and see what the shooter really can or can't handle. All too often that is not possible for a newby. So, we're back to the "safe" reccomendation. First off, "Do no harm."