Yes it’s all over the place – axe throwing. Celebrities do it. Americans do it. Europeans are learning to do the same. Why? Mostly for a good time with friends or making your weekend parties more enjoyable in easy, yet unorthodox way. However, you can also make it a hobby or a sport.
What is this really about?
Well the game is as simple as it sounds. You take the axe, you aim and then you throw at the target. Seems simple enough right? Well, if you were to compare it to rifle shooting, car racing, parachute jumping or whatnot is fashionable this days, you would be right. However, if you ever tried throwing a knife to stick it into the stump, you might have encountered several technique-based problems. It’s similar here as well. Axe throwing is quite easy to learn or setup, but it is harder to master and definitely stands for a rewarding experience when made right. You might even find professionals doing it for fun, just to make their daily routine a little bit more interesting.
How to start?
Manageable and easiest way to make your way into this old, Viking sport discipline is to visit an axe throwing club. In Kraków you will find such a place in the city center, near main square (Bad Axe club). Many other big cities will most likely have it close enough as well, so people can organize their birthday or stag parties without worrying about transport later on. Renting a venue is relatively cheap and worth it’s price as you get professional tools and introduction by an experienced instructor. It will not last long, but those few minutes will eliminate most of common mistakes, you would be doing otherwise, trying to learn it on your own. After that short bit, you are ready for a hour’s long activity, which will leave you satisfied and ridden of stress.
And what to do next?
You will quickly learn, that tossing axes is a way to make your basic routine trainings or you can even become interested in mastering this discipline. In both ways you should definitely trying to make it your hobby. After visiting an axe throwing club once or twice, you should definitely have a great memories and a hold on the subject. From this point you can either organize something for yourself, especially if you are living in the outskirts or countryside or visit this place from time to time. Hopefully your local club will have any way of treat you as a permanent member. Alternatively a good stump and well crafted axe should do the trick. Be careful though! While axe throwing clubs provide you with professional venue to do your favourite things and most importantly protect others from any harm, you are on your own, when organizing it alone. Remember to do it with all needed care, and while you are sober. It is different in the club, where professional instructors are there to help anytime and therefore you can bring your beer with you. That (and climatization) is definitely worth the price of renting, so make your own decision, or blend both options – for example practicing alone and having occasional evening with friends to compete.
