Axe throwing may not be the most commonly known sport, but it’s actually been around for quite some time. For many years, men and women alike have been chucking axes at targets and other inanimate objects in the hopes of being the very best at it.
It features a combination of strength, skill, and adrenaline, and it’s something that serves to bring people together from all walks of life.
Here we have a guide designed for beginners and seasoned axe throwing veterans alike, which focuses on the most important safety measures to keep in mind when throwing around sharp objects. As a community of axe throwing experts, we will provide you with a variety of insights and tips to help keep you safe when axe throwing.
1. Listen to the Safety Speech and Instructions
When you first arrive at your axe throwing destination, a guide or teacher will provide you with a walk-through including all of the information you need to know to stay safe. It’s very important to understand how to hold and throw an axe safely.
If you don’t grip or throw the axe properly, it can lead to dangerous accidents and injuries, not just for those throwing, but also for those nearby.
You always need to pay attention to the safety briefing and if you have questions, always feel free to ask. Never throw axes unsupervised unless you know exactly what you’re doing.
2. Use Provided and Appropriate Equipment
You can’t just bring any old axe or hatchet to an axe throwing facility. They provide you with the proper type of axe used for throwing. The axes designed for this purpose are calibrated both for size and weight, which makes them suitable for target throwing.
It’s also very important that the axes are maintained, because dull blades and loose heads can not only change the trajectory of the axe, but also the safety.
Although it might sound odd to say, a dull axe head is actually much more dangerous than a sharp one. Unless it’s a type of axe approved by the facility, never bring your own, and always inspect those provided to you to ensure that they are safe for use.
3. Follow ALL Safety Rules and Guidelines
Generally speaking, axe throwing venues have specific sets of rules designed to keep everyone safe. These are usually quite similar across the board, but different locations might have slightly different rules.
For the most part, participants must take turns, everyone must make sure that the throwing area is clear before retrieving axes, and when throwing everyone must stand behind the safety line.
Remember, it’s not just about keeping you safe, but keeping everyone around you safe as well. If you disregard these rules, it can result in injuries and quickly put an end to an otherwise fun day.
4. Wear Suitable Clothing and Footwear
Axe throwing is not something that you show up to in just T-shirts and a pair of shorts. It actually matters what you wear.
First and foremost, you never want to wear any kind of loose clothing, because loose sleeves, bracelets, necklaces, and anything else of this sort can get caught on the axe while throwing it. This can cause an accident and injury.
It’s always best to wear clothes that allow for free range of movement yet are also fitted and relatively tight. You also want to wear closed-toe shoes, never anything like sandals or flip flops. Even better is if you have a pair of steel-toe boots. It’s about keeping you safe.
5. Stay Alert and Sober
Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes that you can make is showing up to an axe throwing event impaired on any sort of substance, whether alcohol or drugs.
Both alcohol and drugs impair both your judgment and coordination, and greatly increase the chances of accidents and injuries occurring.
Yes, there are many axe throwing venues that do serve beer and other alcoholic drinks, but please consume them in moderation. It might be tempting to indulge, but it’s always better to be safe.
6. One Person at a Time
At any given time, there should only be one person in an axe throwing lane and one person throwing an axe. Never should you walk through an axe throwing lane when there is someone else throwing an axe, getting ready to throw an axe, or even retrieving an axe.
This means that you and everyone in your group need to coordinate with each other to make sure that no one accidentally throws an axe at someone else. Everyone needs to know whose turn it is at all times. Although this may be a very fun sport, there is of course a certain measure of danger involved.
7. Supervision for Children
Although it might not be the number one family activity for everyone, axe throwing is something that some families like to do together. After all, it involves being out of the house, being active, spending time with the family, and learning a new sport.
With that being said, minors need to be strictly supervised to ensure maximum safety, and most venues have a minimum age of eight years required to participate. Whatever the case may be, adults need to make sure that children are taught the proper safety measures, and moreover, are supervised at all times.
8. Inspect Your Equipment!
You should always inspect your axe for signs of wear or damage before you throw it. Any broken, loose, or otherwise inadequate components mean that the axe in question should not be used. An axe that’s in poor condition can be extremely dangerous to use due to its unpredictability.
If you find that the axe you’ve been provided has any issues, tell the staff right away and don’t use it until the proper repairs have been made. These locations have dozens, if not hundreds of axes for you to use, so don’t be shy about exchanging the ones you have.
9. Clear Communication
Whether it’s football, baseball, axe throwing, or any other sport, good communication is always key to maintaining safety. When you’re about to throw an axe, announce that you’re going to do so, and the same goes for retrieving your axe.
Any time you throw an axe, retrieve an axe, walk into the throwing lane, or anything else of the sort, those around you should be notified. As long as those around you are aware of what you are doing, it should help prevent any miscommunications and accidents from occurring.
10. Emergency Preparedness
No matter how many safety precautions you take, the unfortunate reality is that accidents do happen. Therefore, you should be intimately familiar with the emergency procedures in place for an axe throwing accident.
You should also be familiar with the location of the first aid kit. Although accidents in axe throwing are actually very rare, being prepared can make the difference between a small accident and a major situation.
Final Thoughts
Axe throwing can be a really rewarding sport, especially when you get good at it. It’s also just really fun and adrenaline inducing. That said, axe throwing needs to be done respectfully, because it’s certainly not the safest of sports in the world.
Anything that involves a sharp blade being hurled across the room automatically deserves a bit of respect and caution. However, if you follow all of the safety tips that we’ve provided you with here today, you should be perfectly safe and secure on your axe throwing adventure. Stay safe and enjoy the thrill of the throw!
Jamie is the founder of Action Sporter. He is the chief zipline writer and the lead editor. He has 5 years of zipline experience being a tour guide in Newfoundland. Most of the time you can find Jamie adventure traveling, hiking, skiing, skateboarding, or anything action related!
