2018 World Axe Throwing League U.S Open Highlights

The 2018 Axe Throwing U.S Open was hosted by Bad Axe Throwing at their Lakeview, Chicago location. Over 80 participants from all over the world came to show off their skills, which is incredible since it was the very first time a world championship axe throwing competition had ever been held. Records were broken, axes were flung, history was made, but most importantly fun was had.  

2018 US Open Tournament

The best of the best arrived from all over the world on the morning of August 12th along with their friends and family. All competitors brought their game faces and the judges brought their score sheets. Crowds of fans came flooding in and started filling up the sidelines before the first axe was even thrown. Anyone at the event could agree that the energy, enthusiasm and sense of community was truly a special thing. 

Winners

The first-place winner of the first-ever WATL US Open Championship ring and 5,000 dollars went to John Bradley from KickAxe Throwing. The second-place winner walked away with 750 dollars and the third-place winner got 500 dollars. Every competitor walked away with some awesome swag and although they didn’t win any money, they all gained a great sense of pride for being able to make history all together doing something they love. 

Trick Shot Competition

The competitors who truly had some stylish throws and mastered the true art of axe throwing were given a special Axcalibur Trophy. These trophies can most likely be found proudly hanging above all of the winners’ fireplaces. 

Axe Throwing Festivals and Competitions

The next WATL competition is going to be held this upcoming winter in Tucson and competitors are already getting ready. The axe throwing community continually finds ways to celebrate the brand new sport, this past week the WATL threw a Throwdown Axe Festival in Colorado Springs. People and fans came from all over and had an absolute blast learning from and training with the best competitors in the sport. 

Whether you’ve been before or not, axe throwing can have many benefits.

For example, say you’re going on a first date. You decide to go to Phat Axe, because she’s really been wanting to try it out. You’re a little nervous at first, but then you read that it is safe. You get to Phat Axe and you realize she’s actually an incredible axe-thrower. You’ve just found everything you’re looking for. You get down on one knee and propose. She says yes, and you have beautiful little axe-throwing children together.

We’re exaggerating of course, but social axe throwing can be a great way to bond! That’s only one of the benefits. Many people haven’t been before, but are surprised how quickly they learn to hit the targets. This can be a self-esteem boost for all.

Another benefit is that you get to try something new! If you’re getting tired of the movies, axe throwing is a great way to shake things up. You might just find your newest passion.

It’s also possible that you’re going through some rough patches in your life. Axe throwing helps you release those emotions in a controlled, safe environment.

With axe throwing, you’re burning calories without realizing it. Not all of us love to exercise, that’s why it’s great when it’s an exercise in disguise! Your body will be so proud of you.

There are many more benefits to axe throwing than we’ve listed, but you’ll just have to come try it out yourself! We know you’ll love it. Join the axe-throwing craze today, and come see us! See you soon!

Let Us Help You Plan Your Events!

Event planning can be stressful. Think of this: You have ten 19-year-olds (or worse ten employees) that need some wrangling. You’ve got to boost morale and unity. What on earth could work? Office parties can be a struggle sometimes, but what else is there?

Well, everyone secretly, or not so secretly, wants to throw an axe and/or destroy some stuff, and we have both of those. So instead of through just another boring office party, let us plan an event your employees will never forget!

We have the best activities for big crowds, call us for a quote and we can let you know! You can reserve throwing lanes for some competitive action, or you could reserve the phat smash room for all your destructive needs.

Let’s Get Competitive

   Everything seems to be stressful these days so no wonder Axe Throwing is a leading leisure activity in the leisure market! In a Forbes article, London Putshack cites a study about the different sections of entertainment and leisure. Putshack notes that the leading section of the market is competitive socializing.

   Sometimes it’s hard to keep going at work or school or at home when we take too many losses, so we are here to bring back the win in your life. And apparently, it’s pretty well received! The competitive socializing concept occupies 32.1% of the leisure concepts, comfortably ahead of its competitors.

   So you guys like to be crowned victorious over your friends, huh? No wonder we are so popular!

   All this is to say that we are doing something right! We are here to give you the angst relief that you want and need and we will oblige any (safe) destruction activities and all axe throwing shenanigans that you all want! Take your team to phat axe for some fun, competitive team building activities. Let’s get throwing, huh?

Tomahawk-The Axe New Englanders Threw

When you’re busy having fun throwing your axe, sometimes you don’t even think about what it is that you are throwing. Most people don’t realize there is some fun history in the origins of the modern tomahawk, a type of throwing axe.

In colonial America, life was rough. Starting out with the first colonies, it was quite evident that life on the wild frontier of the new world was going to be much different from life in good old civilized Europe. The ones that survived were those that learned how to adapt to their new condition and work very hard.

In New England and even as far south as North Carolina, the colonials met with the people of the Algonquin tribe. This tribe, which occupied much of the northeastern seaboard, is a strong group which used a tool called a tomahawk. This term, at the time, was the only term for an axe they used. The tomahawk was comprised of a wooden shaft with a sharpened rock, bone or sometimes obsidian, fastened to the end.

When the Algonquin nation met with colonials, the European technology they carried with them combined with the Algonquin tradition to bring us a modern Tomahawk, with a metal blade fastened to the end of the shaft instead of the traditional materials, the modern tomahawk was born. This tool was quite essential to colonists survival, and no doubt helpful in fun and competition. These tomahawks still in use today, especially to eastern American axe throwers. Seems like the need to axe throw is pretty widespread here in America, and we can see why. When there are frustrations to be had, there should be axes thrown!

The History of Axe Throwing

From the Beginning

It is said way before the discovery of fire or the invention of the wheel, humanity already counted the axe as its most useful tool. Due to its relatively cheap and simple design (a simple handle and piece of stone), the axe worked perfectly for many purposes.  Hunting, as a useful instrument for infrastructure and, obviously, as a pure and straight up deadly weapon. As the capabilities of our race evolved, the materials and the manufacture techniques did too. The axe changing from stone to copper, steel, iron, and bronze. They rapidly became part of many cultures, folklore, and legends. Mythological wielders were the inspiration from builders to warriors.

In the middle ages, axe throwing as a sport was practiced by everyone, from commoners, blacksmiths, lumberjacks, soldiers to knights. The appeal of the practice resided in the display of strength and bravery related to throwing a heavy axe. Bets were common and people gamble their chances of putting their money on their favorite axe throwers. If they made them win, the thrower would be rewarded with food and liquor, a story to tell, and a bigger reputation.

History in the United States

If we want to track the history of axe-throwing in the United States, we should take a look at the practices of Native American. Original tribes used their tomahawks as melee weapons. Contrary to popular belief, they didn’t actually throw their axes in the heat of the battle. Axes were highly valuable so no one would risk losing them in the middle of a fight and end up defenseless.

Axe throwing was used for hunting wild animals. Native Americans would wait stealthily until the last moment to throw their axes. They were extremely effective.  Even if they missed the target, they could always retrieve their tomahawks and then again, wait for the next prey. Also, axe throwing was an extremely popular sport.  Many Native American tribes organized tournaments to test their axe throwing skills. These competitions still exist to these days around the world. Lumberjacks from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia, come together with tournaments of their own. All of them with different rules and modalities.

The Axe

The axe has a strong symbolic meaning. It reflects an image of a fierce warrior, a return to our wild roots, the emerge of our most basic instincts of survival and more. It feels like we can do anything. That is why we feel so empowered when we are holding a heavy and sharp axe.

Today in the United States there are places like Phat Axe, where you can practice your axe throwing game. Go with your family, friends or with your co-workers after a long and stressful week. Experience the fun of your ancestors. I mean, what can be better than a little adrenaline, the sound of metal against wood, and the cheers of your people.

WHY AXE THROWING IS THE RAVE OF THE MOMENT

It is normal for folks to hear ‘Axe Throwing’ as a sport or leisure game, and not go all ballistic and hysterical. But Axe Throwing is now the rave of the moment in some urban countries like Canada and the United States. Of a fact, this game is now being regarded as one of the most thrilling, satisfying, communal and safest indoor/ outdoor games you can find around.

Although the Axe throwing game cannot be regarded as a new game in the history of man’s existence, as it is a game that has been around since the Middle Age Era, by knights and soldier. But the fact that it is migrating from the woods to the urban setting, is the reason for its newness.

HOW CAN SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS AXE WIELDING BE SAFE?

Yeah, it is quite understandable for this question to be on everyone’s lips, as an axe is one of the most dangerous tools around. But not to worry, axe throwing is one safe game, as it is a game with rules, despite the supposed bestiality of the action. In an organized organization such as Phat Axe, there are enough coaches who are ready and available to teach and monitor ‘throwers’ on the ground.

Also, there are rules and guidelines surrounding the games, which will help keep throwers organized, and out of harm’s way. These guidelines are:

1. First and foremost, any axe used for this game, must not be too sharpened, to avoid cutting yourself or the other throwers. Your throwing axe mustn’t be as sharp as your cooking knife. You don’t need that much sharpness.
2. Stay away from the target spot as far away as 6 feet. Endeavor not to make a throw when there are people in front of you, or around the target area.
3. Don’t rotate the axe to either the left or right, keep it straight before you throw.
4. Listen to your coach

If all these are strictly adhered to, throwers and everyone in the target room would be kept out of harm’s way.

HOW TO PLAY THE GAME

Axe throwing game is a competitive one. It requires competitions between two groups of throwers play alongside each other. The players from each group get to throw their axes at the same time, at the countdown from the coach.

HOW TO THROW YOUR AXE

Throwers should hold their axes firmly in both hands, in a straight manner as written above. Don’t swing your axe in a circle, keep it straight. Throw the axe over your head, lean back and release the axe forward towards the target.

There you have. It is as simple as ABC.

Why is Axe Throwing so Addictive?

“It’s the latest craze sweeping the nation!”  You’ve heard it all before. We could go on and on about how axe throwing is one of the fastest-growing hobbies in America.

We could explain the health and social benefits of flinging sharp axes at a wall during an afternoon. It would probably be worthwhile to describe how people are discovering new muscle groups and engaging workouts.  But that doesn’t explain why axe-throwing is so addictive.  We could talk about our Viking roots, and how we naturally want to prepare for battle.  We could talk about how the West was tamed by axe-wielding Paul Bunyan wild men, and how we’re culturally inevitable to connect with our forebears.  We can talk about this or that.  But really, people just like throwing axes at stuff.  It’s really that simple.

Axe throwing is one of those events you used to see on the sports channel on an early Saturday morning. Along with log-rolling, 90-foot speed climbing, hot-dog eating, rally-car racing, and other extreme sports, it’s one of those things that makes us think to ourselves, “Wow, I wish I could do that.”

But unlike speed climbing (not many of us have a 90-foot pole we are willing to climb without safety gear), or extreme wingsuit flying (that’s a one-time attempt for most of us), axe throwing is something you can pick up and try any time you want.

It’s just far enough outside our comfort zone that every throw is as exhilarating as the last. It’s cheap enough that a weekly practice won’t leave you eating ramen for a month. It’s easy enough to learn that anyone can learn. And it’s cool enough that throwing out “I throw axes on Thursday evenings,” will grab anyone’s attention.

That sounds like the perfect recipe for an addictive pastime.

It’s a sport you can play alone, or with a group. You can throw big axes or small ones. The true fun comes from finding out your personal style of throwing sharp objects.  It really is a mysterious force that compels us to throw axes. Whether a natural drive or a cultural instinct, axe throwing is something you can’t just try once. (Trust us). Once you throw an axe it’s hard to forget, and you always want to do “just one more!”

So yes, axe throwing is the latest craze sweeping the nation. If by that you mean like a crazed barbarian sweeping an axe over his head at a wooden block.

Axe Throwing In Utah – You won’t find a more creative and fun group or date idea!

For way too long, movie theatres, fancy dinners and 5-class restaurants have been regarded as the staple of a what a good first date or anniversary should consist of.

While there is definitely nothing short of amazing in treating your taste buds to fine cuisines in an expensive restaurant or staring at a movie screen for hours without saying anything to each other, there are arguably far more interesting ways to spice up a date night especially if it’s a group date night.

Axe throwing. Yup, you heard right, Axe throwing is one of the fastest widely-adopted first date and social bonding ideas. It is up high on the list of fun things to do in Utah county. Granted, Eros and Cupid will rather shoot arrows at people all day, but the feeling of throwing an axe at a target is nonetheless very exciting and socially up-charging. The atmosphere at the best axe throwing venue in Utah, Phat Axe, is eclectic and presents a fun way to be interactive with one another. The sport itself requires marksmanship, precision and communication, making it an excellent opportunity to get to actually speak to your date with a casual vibe and you get to learn new skills.

Axe throwing in Utah county is an excellent opportunity to shine in front of your new catch and a fun way to share your humorous and playful personality. This way you get to be unconventional and convey your personality like never before and that’s what dating each other should be about! You will even be in better luck if this is a group thing which presents the opportunity of each pair to bond and take on the rival couple.

Even when we burst the love bubble, Axe throwing is still a great way to have family fun and American Fork Axe throwing is undeniably one of the best ways to inject fun as a corporate event idea. From birthdays to bachelor parties, romantic anniversaries to a valentine’s day celebration.

Axe throwing presents the perfect opportunity to create a lasting and memorable impression on your first date, allowing you to engage in something fun, refreshing and exciting that is almost certain to pave way to a continued romance. Even if it isn’t your first date, it still remains a great way to rekindle romance and have fun in the family setting.

Phat Axe currently has a wide array of venues that present the perfect location for Axe throwing in Utah county. Participants are encouraged to bring their food or relax at the bar with the right vibe of music while taking turns to hit at the mark. There is a great scoring feature, safety training and axe throwing technique tutorial that makes it one of the best date ideas in Utah county.

Axe throwing remains something refreshing and out of the box over traditional date nights and corporate events. It’s definitely one of the most snapchat and Instagram-worthy things to do and is definite to being lots of laughs, stress and tension relief.

So, if you’ve been thinking about having that extra special experience, look no more. With no reservations needed, check out www.phataxeutah.com and explore the many ways you can make your date night extra special.