Get your plaid on at Axxe

Posted on 16 January, 2019

Vikings and lumberjacks have something in common. They sure can wield an axe!

And now, thanks to the people behind the ever-popular Riddle Room, you can wield one too. Axxe (and it’s sister room Breakr) has officially opened up in Fyshwick and is giving Canberrans the chance to get involved in the trendy sport of axe throwing.

Speaking to HerCanberra back in November, Axxe owners Chris Krajacic and Jesse Mount dished on why axe throwing is popping up all over the place.

“Urban Axe Throwing has been taking the world by storm, with many dedicated locations popping up all over the US and Canada,” explained Chris and Jessie. “Urban Axe Throwing is a fun activity where you will get the unique experience of throwing solid steel axes at wooden targets and playing fun axe throwing games.”

Axxe is also the first Australian venue to be affiliated with the World Axe Throwing League, with Chris and Jesse looking to start league sessions on Tuesday nights. The idea is proving popular, with 80 people already expressing interest in throwing axes competitively.

I can definitely see why. In an attempt to be more like my idol Lara Croft, I decided to give Axxe a go and gathered my plaid-clad pals for a private lane.

Axxe’s Lyell Street space is an open warehouse with several different lanes complete with wooden targets. To start, we were brought to our lane and Axxe’s knowledgable staff gave us a comprehensive rundown on how to throw our axes.

We learnt that throwing axes is generally a both-hand situation and that the dominant one should be on top. Bringing the axe up above your head, you take a step forward and fling your axe at the target.

After some practice sessions, you realise that not landing the axe into the board every single time is not at all a problem. For our group, we got the axe in about half the time (unless you’re my friend Kate, who apparently was a lumberjack in her past life!) and while many of us got the axe in the bullseye at least once during the session, it doesn’t feel like the end of the world if you’re a little off-centre.

There are a few tips and tricks though, which Axxe’s staff are more than willing to teach you. For example, if you keep hitting the target with the handle of the axe you should throw from further away, and if you keep hitting it with its blunt end you need to throw it from closer to the target.

For those who might be concerned, Axxe’s safety regulations are their number one priority, so you can just focus on having fun.

After getting a few practice rounds in, we were then lead through an axe-throwing tournament, where each person got five rounds on each board and the chance to go for a special ten point system. The tournament whittled down the winners until we had our champion, and we then played several rounds of ‘Around the World’ which is a quick-fire axe throwing game.

All up, the whole session took around two hours including the basics of throwing and the safety demonstrations. It was a very relaxed timeframe and the staff were more than happy to answer our questions, joke around, and let us be ourselves. There was no feeling of strictness when it came to throwing the axes (aside from keeping things safe) and the competitions gave the evening a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Billed as being a perfect venue for group outings, corporate team building, special occasions, bucks and hens parties and Christmas functions, Axxe really is a unique experience. And, if you feel throwing axes isn’t enough, Axxe’s premises also hosts Breakr – Canberra’s first ‘Break Room’.

Quickly rising in popularity and taking the world by storm, break rooms are a great way to let out your frustrations. No matter what the motivation, Breakr lets you work out your emotions by smashing a room full of stuff. No, really. You can get yourself a tray of cups, plates, crockery, glassware, and other assorted items and smash them into smithereens using a baseball bat, a crowbar, golf club or hammer. Protected by a jumpsuit and glasses, you’ll find a completely new and novel way to let out stress.

The best part? You can go in with a friend and tag team breaking fragile items together! What a bonding experience!

the essentials 

What: Axxe axe throwing and Breakr ‘break room’
Where: Unit 4/1 Lyell Street, Fyshwick
Website: axxe.com.au and breakr.com.au
Cost: $50 per person for Axxe and $40 for one person (or $70 for a double) in Breakr

Photography: Courtney Carr