Axe-Throwing: Unleash Your Inner Flannel-Wearing Butch Lesbian!
ARTS & CULTURE | GAMES
Written & illustrated by Stella Roper (they/she) | @stellyvision | Arts & Culture Editor
Despite the many amazing recommendations in this issue, it’s finally time to turn the console off. If you haven’t gotten distracted yet, I beg of you to hear my desperate plea: Pause the video game and touch grass - or rather - touch steel.
I am taking this opportunity to enlighten you about the glorious pursuit of axe throwing, which has recently become my entire personality. Perhaps even convincing readers to get some out-of-game, real-life action, or rather, axe-tion, in their lives. You may have assumed this sport was left in the past, reserved only for the mightiest of Viking warriors, however, it is very much alive and kicking today!
Social
There’s nothing quite like breaking the ice by hauling around some sharp weaponry! In my, while limited, yet very much amazing experiences in axe throwing, I’ve found it to be a great way to get to know people better and have some (at times) friendly competition. If intense duels are not your style, do not fret. A positive about this sport is the fact that you only need one person to do it! During sessions at Sweet Axe, there is never any pressure to compete within your group. Instead, you have the freedom to choose how you’d like to throw, with the lovely selection of spikey, shiny sticks ready to be wedged in the walls. Unfortunately, none of them talk like Lucy the Axe (Terarria players, if you know you know), but they’re still neat. If you’d rather spend an hour and a half swinging in silence or singing along to the blast of My Chemical Romance playing from the speakers, I’m certain you’ll have a great time.
Axessible
Whether you can lift 100 kilograms, or struggle to hold ten, there will be a technique and axe to be your match. The axessibility factor within this sport was great news for me, knowing I can give it a go and do decently well while not having to maintain a rigorous training routine and protein intake (#gains) (#gymlyfe). With cheery trained professionals showing you the ropes, as well as facilities that have netting and walls that ensure you don’t hit the ceiling, it’s the safest environment to be tossing steel in. To put it into perspective for you, the last time I went to the gym was before the first Covid-19 lockdown, and I consider the walk from campus to Eden Noodles as a form of exercise. So, if I can do it, so can you!
Uniqueness / Bragging Rights
Take a moment to visualise this. You’re in the dentist’s office and have just gotten your teeth checked. They are perfect. Good job, man! Walking out of the office to the foyer desk, the receptionist greets you and asks what you have planned for the rest of your day. While you pay an absurd amount to be told in less than 30 minutes that your teeth are perfect, you respond: “Oh, just some axe-throwing.” The receptionist is utterly shocked as her literal jaw drops onto the pale blue lino desk, teeth shattering instantaneously. Never in her 20 years of dentist reception-ing has she heard such a cool and unique post-appointment activity from a patient. Her entire perception of what reality is, is in that moment, also shattered. “It’s a good thing you work at a dental centre”, you tell her, before sauntering to the exit, the sunlight reflecting off of your shiningly perfect chompers.
Give or take 80% of this experience happened to me before my last axe-throwing session. This could be you. Throw the axe and gain the bragging rights.
Outfits
The unspoken (yet obvious) theme of flannel, tartan and denim makes this a great activity for the outfit-obsessed. Even if the mere concept of holding an axe freaks you out, the opportunity to coordinate outfits with a friend or partner is too good to miss out on. Think of the photoshoots and fashionable memories to be made! I love any event that has a dress code, and I have to say, I think wearing flannel gives me a +4 accuracy boost. What a solid cheat code, right?
International fame and glory!
This sport has a habit of bringing together friendly and lively folks, and that is no exception when it comes to the Sweet Axe Manager, Britt. Introduced to axe-throwing through a Sweet Axe promotion in early 2020, she decided to give it a go at one of their axe-throwing league taster events. Once having gotten the swing of it, she joined the league and became hooked!
The Sweet Axe League is made up of a group of like-minded welcoming people who also like to throw axes (duh). Britt describes her experience in the league as being “at a family gathering, but only the family you like show up! Not only are we chatting in and out of the lanes, but a lot of the people I've met here have become some of my closest friends. When I first joined the league, I knew nobody, and now I know everyone!”
Their “leaguies” are always actively looking for new throwers to mentor and get to know. “Once they know your name, don't be surprised if they remember everything you talked about the week before.” Britt has also recently competed in the World Axe Throwing Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma, representing Aotearoa with our national team: the ‘All Blaxe’. “To be standing in an arena with all of the best throwers in the world while being one of 6 people representing Aotearoa was surreal! However, unlike other throwers who have been competing for years longer than I have, I really didn't have anything I needed to live up to, so I tried to keep myself calm and enjoy the experience.” Britt qualified for both the ‘Hatchet’ and ‘Big Axe’ rounds, the former of which being the most competitive style of throwing. At the end of the day, Britt won a few games of ‘Big Axe’ and became ranked 33rd equal in the world - the furthest a Kiwi has gotten!
Having asked her what she often says to encourage the axe-curious to give a throw a go, she said this:
“Axe throwing is by far the most accessible and inclusive sport I've ever been a part of. I've hosted wheelchair users with cerebral palsy, the foundation for the blind, a woman who was 103 as well as kids who've just turned twelve. As long as you want to give it a go and are happy to persevere, we can and WILL get you to stick at least one axe in the board!”
I entirely expect you to be reading this while dialling up Sweet Axe for a booking. It’s okay, I can wait. While this article was wholly brought on by my intense passion for a sport I’ve tried twice, and is indeed not sponsored by Sweet Axe, I did talk to the lovely people there about this piece and have organised a deal for you darling Debate readers! Now go forth and be your inner butch.
Discount Offer
$30 OFF - Mixed Group Session
How to Redeem
Bookings are essential, students can call/text/email to arrange a session. Code will be STUD30, If you’d like to bring a friend from another uni or a partner that’s welcome too.
T&C's
Discount is for $30 off the standard price of a mixed group session for one person, usually $55 now $25. Bookings must be made in advance to ensure availability, Sweet Axe throwing Co. reserves the right to decline anyone from the premises who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. All other T’s and C’s on the Sweet Axe website apply.
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