Ever had the desire to throw an axe indoors? That dream can now be realized in Northeast Ohio.
“You can watch a lumberjack in the movies or on TV or you can come in and actually be a lumberjack yourself,” said Justin White, associate producer of Cleveland Axe Throwing.
The business, located in Valley View, opened its doors in the spring. There are also locations in Columbus and Cincinnati.
“We really think this the next thing people are gonna want to do in active entertainment,” said White.
Indoor axe throwing businesses have been popping up all across the country, the first being in Philadelphia and Chicago in 2016 with recent openings in cities like Denver and Indianapolis.
“The history of axe throwing in the United States is very new, very green,” said White.
It has been popular for years in Canada. The sport has gained so much traction, organizations like the National Axe Throwing Federation have been established to create a standardized rule system for competitive players.
“We’re trying to emulate what they do in Canada where it has been around for a very long time,” White said. “They actually have leagues that get together at least once a week. We’re trying to do the same thing here. In fact, we have leagues starting up in July.”
White says axe throwing can be a great date night or corporate team building event.
Participants must sign an extensive waiver, come up with a lumberjack (or lumber lady) name and are then taught safety by an ‘Axepert.’
“The most important thing is safety,” White said. “You work with an ‘Axepert', you learn how to throw, you learn the proper technique.”
No liquor is allowed at Cleveland Axe Throwing, but private parties are able to bring their own beer and wine.
“However, we ask that you never throw an axe while drinking a beer.”
Well, fair enough.
