By Cameron Beltran, Lauren Justice and Cooper Loftin
While clutching its smooth wooden handle, the heavy weight of an axe feels unnatural at first. The proximity of the sharp blade to your body is hard to not notice. Taking a step forward and releasing the axe is when you first experience a rush of exhilaration— regardless of whether you hit the target.
The first couple of throws will probably bounce off the wooden boards composing the target and clatter to the ground. But, the first time you launch the axe and it sinks into the wood with a satisfying “thud,” you begin to the feel your fingertips twitching with adrenaline. You become consumed with determination to throw better.
Yanking the axe out of the target is a rewarding process in itself. Admiring your handiwork, you separate the blade from the wood leaving a noticeable fracture in the target. The deeper the axe pierces the grain the more gratifying it is to tear it out.
Every throw that misses the bullseye renews the nagging desire to be better. The sport has an addictive quality to it. As the commissioner of the World Axe Throwing League Evan Waters says, “It’s easy to learn, but hard to master.”
You tell yourself the next throw is the one. The next one will puncture the bright red circle in the center.
Besides this intoxicating determination to channel your inner lumberjack, axe throwing has a powerful connotation to it. Wielding an axe is thrilling. Controlling this potentially deadly weapon produces a primal feeling of power.
“There’s something inherently badass about throwing an axe,” says UTC student Jake Moore.
The axe is one of the oldest tools utilized by mankind, but somehow using it for entertainment has eluded the general population until recently.
“The first organization to do any kind of axe throwing formerly is the International Knife Throwing Hall of Fame,” says Waters.
The International Knife Throwing Hall of Fame was founded in 2003 with the mission to honor individuals who have contributed to knife and tomahawk throwing, preserve historic documents and artifacts, educate the public and promote the sport.
In 2006, the Backyard Axe Throwing League (BATL) in Canada was established creating the first organization to offer the experience of indoor axe throwing. The BATL started in the backyard of CEO Matt Wilson and now more than two million people have enjoyed the experience of axe throwing at BATL locations.
As commissioner of WATL, Waters is responsible for writing rules, organizing tournaments, recruiting companies and essentially create, “a bigger and better league,” he says.
Waters attributes the sport’s growth to its accessible nature.
“We have people throwing in wheel chairs,” Waters says. “In our last major tournament last weekend, we had a seven-year-old competing against a 30 year-old guy.” Competitions have never been divided by age or gender.
The league has spread to 19 countries, and includes 150 companies with roughly 350 locations and growing. By the second annual World Axe Throwing Championship in 2018, the league’s competitors were featured on ESPN. Waters explains WATL accomplished most of their five-year plan in the span of two years; the endless potential makes the future slightly unpredictable. He has hope for the sport entering the Olympics someday.
A towering wooden bar resembling a Viking ship sits in the back of Valkyrie Axe Throwing. Several drinking horns adorn the counter as decoration. The smell of freshly cut timber fills the room. Occasionally, you can hear the buzzing of a saw coming from a room in the back where new targets are constantly being made.
The space has tall ceilings and smooth concrete floors. The front half of the building consists of what appears to be a metal cage, but under further inspection reveal to be the throwing lanes. The back half of the building is comprised of large televisions and more seating for patrons to hangout and drink a beer.
Randall Connelly the co-owner of Valkyrie Axe Throwing has a shaved head and a long, black beard framing his big smile. He attests to the accessible qualities of the sport as well. Connelly says, you don’t have to be extremely athletic in order to master the sport. The emphasis is on technique rather than strength.
“I’ve had people as young as fourteen, which is the youngest we could legally allow, and I’ve had people in their 90s do perfectly fine,” Connelly says.
Connelly also thinks the therapeutic qualities of the sport contributes to its popularity among customers. Launching an axe and having it sink into the wood with force is cathartic. You can feel your tension and stress ease with every axe you propel through the air.
“It’s the cheapest therapy you’ll ever pay for,” Connelly says. “You can get aggression out real fast.”
He has yet to meet any unsatisfied customers.
The world of axe throwing has actor Jason Momoa to thank for its rapid growth in American. While in Canada about two years ago, Momoa visited an indoor axe throwing lounge where he uploaded a video of himself showing off his skill to his Instagram account. In the video, Momoa drinks from a pint of beer—leaving foam in his facial hair—before landing a tomahawk perfectly in the target’s bullseye. The Game of Thrones actor possesses more than 13 million followers on his account. The viral video has reached nearly 1 million views and was so sensational Momoa later appeared on Ellen and Jimmy Kimmel Live throwing axes—bringing more momentum and exposure to the sport.
Axe throwing is a simplistic sport growing at an exponential speed. It’s easy to learn, but challenging to master. Indoor axe throwing locations take the necessary precautions to keep their patrons safe. Customers are required to wear closed-toe shoes, and double-edged axes are prohibited. Whether your initial association with axes is chopping through thick timber, attacking Viking enemies, or Jack Nicholson breaking down a door—the sport is safe.