Urban axe-throwing gains traction in Tulsa

 

January 14, 2018



TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Keely Hawkins was wearing a green Christmas sweater (gingerbread man on the front) as she picked up an axe and cocked her arm to hurl it.

The scene wasn't from a Hallmark movie gone wrong.

It played out live at Angry Axe, Tulsa's urban axe-throwing club. You read that right: Tulsa has an axe-throwing club.

Hawkins was among Angry Axe visitors during a casual get-together a few days before Christmas.

Chance and Alycia Hawkins, who operate Angry Axe, invited folks to check out the place and chunk axes because they were seeking feedback about the unique, new recreational venture they launched in the Pearl District, the Tulsa World reported .

Truth in advertising, people go to Angry Axe to throw axes of varying sizes at wooden targets. Think darts, except bigger.

Michael Smauder, who was among those test-driving axes, is of the opinion axe throwing could be embraced.

"I think for a lot of people in downtown Tulsa, it's a way to release stress - and it's something just completely different to the area, something that most people probably have never heard of," he said. "I had never heard of it."

Axe throwing, a pastime that drifted south from Canada, has been picking up steam as a leisure activity in urban areas, according to urbanaxe.com. The World Axe Throwing League is the governing body and league for the sport of urban axe-throwing. The organization's official site boasts members in six countries and 54 cities, Tulsa included.

Like other axe-throwing businesses, Angry Axe aims to host axe-throwing parties and axe-throwing leagues. The FAQ section of angryaxe.com said axe throwing is surprisingly safe with proper instruction (though you must have closed-toed shoes to participate). Angry Axe coaches offer step-by-step instruction.

For instance: Grab the axe handle in the middle. Keep your elbow directly under the axe. Don't bend your wrist or "flip" the axe. It rotates naturally.

"If you release it with your arm straight, it should do one nice rotation before hitting," Chance said.

Throwing an axe harder or softer is less important than finding the proper distance between thrower and target. Move closer, or farther away, to increase your chances of "sticking" an axe.

"It's pretty simple. It's just getting a feel for it," Chance said.

"If you do it long enough throughout the night, you'll see it gets easier and easier. You know how to throw it and muscle memory kicks in."

Angry Axe is sort of a throwback to Chance's youth.

He said he grew up on a farm in Hobbs, New Mexico, and always had things to throw.

"I had brothers and we would throw knives and ninja stars and the shurikens and axes and just everything," he said. "I remember it being really fun."

Fast forward to adulthood. Chance and Alycia were traveling when they spotted an axe-throwing venue in Las Vegas. Hmmm, wonder what that's like?

"Then we went to Dallas Axe Throwing - they have one there - and we just really liked it," he said.

Why start an axe-throwing business of their own? For a couple of reasons, according to Chance. His job, which he likes, requires him to sit in front of a computer all day. "But I just wanted something to do at the end of the day that was still productive, or that was fun and competitive, and I like throwing stuff. I have all kinds of throwing knives and stuff like that so I just thought it would be a really cool thing to do."

And, secondly, he was intrigued by the idea of axe-throwing leagues.

Best-case scenario? "I think we build a community of people that are really having a good time throwing axes," he said. "We can start a couple of leagues maybe and even have competitions locally and then some of those people can go to other places - Chicago or Denver or Dallas or wherever they have the competitions and give them another alternative besides just bowling or darts or something like that."

Angry Axe occupies a near-downtown building close to the intersection of Admiral Boulevard and Peoria Avenue. Angry Axe (7 N. Peoria Ave.) is located on the northeast corner of the intersection. The parking lot can be accessed by way of an alley that runs parallel to Admiral Boulevard. A painted entrance faces east.

Chance, who staged a "soft" grand opening in December, said the reason the location was picked was because of a 14-foot ceiling (rules require it), and the building has "kind of that urban feel."

"It has a lumberjack feel," he said. "I didn't want a tin building or something like that."

A series of axe-throwing stations are set up inside Angry Axe. The stations are used for competition.

"People really are competing with themselves though," Chance said.

"People who haven't thrown, they throw one time and let's just say it almost sticks. You can see that frustration. They go grab it, and they throw it again and throw it again. But when it sticks, it's like you can see a relief. They feel so great about it. I have had people say, 'Oh my goodness, this is my new sport,' or they will just be naturally good. They come and throw it once and they hit it in the bull's-eye and they found what they are good at. ... Maybe they haven't found anything else, another sport that they really cared about, and they will care about this."

Hawkins didn't want to stop until she succeeded in "sticking" an axe for the first time. It took her about 10 tries, but - victory! - she did it and was treated to a high-five. Why is this fun? "The challenge - and how different it is," she said.

Meanwhile, Ryan Haase looked like this wasn't his first time to wield an axe. He's an Eagle Scout. He said he threw axes during his 13 years in scouting, and he learned about Angry Axe when he met Chance and Alycia at Oktoberfest. Haase said he believes an urban axe-throwing club has appeal.

"Oh, absolutely. It's an activity that is new and exciting," he said, suggesting lightheartedly that perhaps axe throwing could become millennial bowling.

There is something about it, Haase said, when that axe sinks into the wood.

Satisfying?

"Yes. It's a great activity, and it builds confidence and all kinds of things."

___

Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

 

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