Barrington resident heading overseas for axe competition

Suzy Atwood one of three Nova Scotians to take part in Irish Axe Throwing Open

Barrington’s Suzy Atwood hopes to better the seventh-place finish she posted in the women’s division at the World Axe Throwing Championships last year in Germany when she competes in the first annual Irish Axe Throwing Open in Wicklow, Ireland, on July 14 and 15.

Atwood, along with fellow Nova Scotia axe throwers Matt Pushie and Joey Bridgeo, will represent Nova Scotia at the two-day event being hosted by Axe Throwing Ireland.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” said Atwood. “To go over there and throw with the Irish team, we’ve been talking about that for a long time just because they are such good friends. We met with them when we went to Germany last year and became good friends. They were great. They sent an invitation to us to attend the Irish Open and three of us going. We are all taking separate flights and will meet up over there,” she said, adding German and UK competitors they met in Germany will also be there “so it will be like a reunion.”

The targets used in European axe-throwing competitions are smaller than the targets used in Canada, said Atwood, “so your accuracy has to be a little bit better with the smaller rings on the target. I like it better than the Canadian target because it helps you develop your throw, your accuracy.”

There will be individual and team competitions at the Irish Open.

The three are the only Canadian competitors going, said Atwood, as far as she knows.

The Timber Lounge in Halifax held a fundraiser on June 30 to support the trip, with the three paying the rest of the expenses out of pocket.

Atwood said they feel it was important to go to continue “forging relationships and building that axe family that we have. A lot of them are also coming here to Liverpool on Aug. 25 and 26 for the Canadian Axe Throwing Suzy Atwood, of Barrington, is one of three Nova Scotians who will compete in the Irish Axe Throwing Open July 14 and 15. She says she is “axecited” to be going. Championships,” which is being organized by the North Nova Lumberjack Society.

Atwood is helping and will be competing in the Canadian Axe Throwing Championships. “We’re really looking forward to having competitors from all over coming to Nova Scotia,” she said, noting there’s a group from Portland, Oregon, who will also be making the trek.