Living life on the edge
Couple opens city’s first axe-throwing facility
True North Axe Throwing is hoping to hit the bull’s-eye by opening the first ever axethrowing facility in Lethbridge. “It’s a sport that in recent years has gained a lot of popularity,” said Matt Derricott, who owns the company with his wife, Nicole.
The pair are originally from southern Alberta, but spent the past eight years in Ontario.
It was there they first learned about axe throwing, after Matt attended a corporate event with his former employer.
“For some reason, right away the wheels started turning just about the idea of the Lethbridge market and something we could bring to our home city that was different; that I thought would have a really good reaction in this area and so far that’s proven to be true,” he said. “We were already looking for ways to potentially move back home. We had loved Ontario, but at the same time, felt a lot of connection and draw to come back to where we are both from.”
“We’re basically learning the sport alongside the city of Lethbridge at the same time because it’s not something we’ve been involved in on a deep level for the last number of years or anything,” he added.
However, Matt said the sport is pretty easy to learn.
“It’s pretty basic actually. Think of it as darts, but with axes.”
Typically, he said, axe throwers will use a hatchet-sized axe and aim for the target, about 15 feet away.
First-time participants will be walked through the safety procedures before learning the technique and the rules of the game. It’s recommended throwers be at least 14 years old.
So far, most of the participants have never tried axe throwing before, at least not like this.
“I think most people find the game fun, they find it to be cathartic, just to stick the axe in the wood there. One of the most common pieces of feedback we’ve been getting so far is that it’s a great stress reliever,” said Matt.
“We do get some people who say they have thrown axes out camping at trees, but this is a little bit different in that there’s specific rules,” Nicole added.
True North Axe Throwing is located at 318 17 St. S. Bookings are accepted seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m., but booking in advance is strongly recommended as that will determine whether or not they’ll be at the facility.
To learn more, or book online, visit www.truenorthaxe.com.