Throwers enjoy life on the edge
Colton Lawson was already well-versed in throwing pointy things for accuracy. Then last summer, he switched up his throwing obect to something a little bigger, swapping out darts and getting a full handle on an axe.
Evidently, the transition was a bulls eye and now Lawson, along with Colin Boras, are off to the National Axe Throwing Championships Feb. 18.
For the member of True North Axe Throwing, it started with a company get-together last summer.
“It started in August, we had a work event,” said Lawson, who already had a bit of throwing experience. “Last year I started playing darts. My uncle runs a tournament in town and it just took on the same kind of feeling, accuracy sports. It’s just something that’s really fun for me, the consistency and the routine of doing something over and over and getting good at it.
“Of course, winning that company tournament helped a little bit.”
Boras’ introduction to axe throwing also started as a social event, his taking place in Calgary.
“I went for my friend’s birthday party and it was one of those things I picked up. It was really fun to do and it was something it was something I enjoyed.”
When True North Axe Throwing opened last May, the duo signed up.
“I heard we’re getting a new axe throwing place and it was all over Facebook,” said Boras. “So within the first week I was here and they said they were offering a league. I joined up and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
After opening up in May, True North Axe Throwing held its first league night last July with 26 members.
That started Lawson and Boras’ road to Nationals in Toronto.
“The way it works is every member of the National Axe Throwing Federation hosts a league and earns so many spots for their players to compete at nationals,” said Matt Derricott, owner/operator of True North along with wife, Nicole. “So we had our top-four players who had earned points by competing in our league and winning in the playoffs compete to see which two would go on to represent us in Toronto.
“Colin and Colton played against a couple of the top members and won in Round 1.”
The top 128 throwers from the various member organizations across the world — but mostly from Canada and the U.S. — will take aim for a purse of $7,500.
“A lot of very experienced throwers are going to be throwing there,” said Derricott. “They’ve been throwing for over a decade out east, but these guys will go and give them a run for their money, for sure. But these guys have definitely come a long way and they’re on top of their game at this point. There have been some really strong players out in Ontario for a while. They had a skills competition a few months ago where somebody hit (roughly) 220 consecutive bullseyes in a row. We’re talking about people who have really honed that skill over a number of years. But you never know what could happen at a competition like this. I would be thrilled to have one of us place in the top100 players worldwide. This is the biggest axe-throwing competition in the world. So even to be going is a great honour and to place in the top 100 in any sport on a world basis would be a tremendous accomplishment for our throwers.”
An axe throwing match is 15 throws, but each game is five throws each.
The outer ring of the board is one point, the inside red ring is three points and inside the centre with the bullseye is five points.
As well, there are green dots in the corner, known as “clutch,” and must be called in advance during the final throw of a match and are worth seven points. Point designation is based on where the majority of the blade lands and sticks.
The duo is getting ready to perform at the national level, but the sport remains unique, said Boras.
“You never really hear (about) anybody that does axe throwing. It’s something you have to explain to people. It’s not like an Olympic sport, by any means. But we’re trying to get it there. It’s just one of those things you have to actually try to be able to understand. Throwing an axe over your head might not sound like much, but when you actually get it to stick in that board and be able to aim properly, it’s a good feeling. It’s fun.”
Like any sport involving accuracy, repetition is the key, said Lawson.
“It really comes down to consistency. You throw a few axes and then you kind of find your spot on the floor. For me, I find the little landmark and make sure my foot is always there at that point and then it just comes down to muscle memory and doing the same thing.”
With their first trip to Nationals a little over two weeks away, Boras and Lawson this go-round will simply be about experiencing the event.
“I’m going to go there and enjoy it,” said Boras. “But once I get there the competitiveness will come out. So I really want to do well. I’m not hoping for the topthree spots, not this year because I’m so new to it that I can’t expect that much out of it. But if this becomes a yearly thing I absolutely want to set goals. This time, for the qualification rounds I was ranked 106th out of (approximately) 128 people. So if I bump that up to the top100 then I’m improving. That would be the goal for this team.”
“I’d like to do well, but it’s one of those things that’s kind of intimidating,” added Lawson. “There are a lot of people that have been throwing for a while. For my first time, I’m just going for the experience and just get a feel for wherever everybody else is at.”
Follow @DWoodardHerald on Twitter