Locals representing Splitting Edge to compete at world axe throwing
POTTSTOWN » It’s hitting the target in its first year of existence.
Both literally and figuratively.
Splitting Edge Axe Throwing has been a solid addition to Pottstown’s business district since coming on the scene in late 2018. The company, located at 225 East High Street, is coming up on the first anniversary of its establishment as a source of recreational, skill-based competition catering to both individuals and groups looking to book a unique activity for birthdays, group and corporate team building events, among others.
“December will mark our first anniversary,” Cody Park, general manager of Splitting Edge, said. “It started out popular here, It’s busy Saturdays, and Fridays toward evening.”
Another notable occurrence will accompany Splitting Edge’s anniversary. Park will represent the center at the World Axe Throwing League’s World Championship being held the weekend of Dec. 6-8 in Tucson, Ariz. The event will bring the top 64 axe throwers from around the globe to the Splitting Timber site in Tucson.
Park was one of 12 regional champions during the World Axe Throwing League’s 2019 summer season. He has a total score of 1,604 and average of 57.3, 280 bullseyes, 242 wins and 28 consecutive “bulls.” He also placed third in the 2019 U.S. Open.
“After only throwing for six months, he’s quickly risen to the top of the World Axe throwing League rankings and is sure to contest for a world championship later this year,” a post on the WATL website said about Park.
Park and the rest of the competitive field will be looking to unseat 2018 World Axe Throwing Champion Benjamin Edgington of Denver, Colo.
Edgington, who boasts an average score of 52.4 points per match — 64 is considered a perfect score — has won 89 percent of his matches. He has respective percentages of 84 and 45 in bullseyes and killshots, two small circles on the upper half of the target.
“Each person gets 10 throws, with the highest number of points the winner,” Park explained. “On the fifth and 10th throws, you can call the kill points. They’re worth eight points if you hit them.”
Other scoring is for the bullseye (six points), second ring (four), third ring (three), fourth ring (two) and fifth ring (one).
ESPN will broadcast the WATL Top 6 and Duals Final 1 p.m. Dec. 8. The championship and duals tournaments will be staged 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, on Dec. 7.
Visitors to Splitting Edge have a choice of throwing either a carpenter’s hatchet — similar in size to a hammer (13-16 inches), with a blade on one end and a smooth-face head on the other — or a regular axe with a thicker blade on one side and flat head on the other. The sessions, approximately two hours in length, start with instruction on the proper and safe way to throw an axe.
“People start out nervous,” Park noted, “but then you see them crack a smile after they do it.”
During the course of the game, Splitting Edge personnel will monitor visitors to ensure a safe and fair play.
Splitting Edge is one of more than 150 facilities of its kind in the United States, the most of any country in the world. Canada, with 20 places, ranks second.