Ax Throwing

By Christy Spangler, Social Chair

Organized by Rick Veingrad

In a truly unique setting, and most likely a first-time event for everyone, GCR PCA took up a new sport at GAME OF AXES in Boca Raton. A total of thirty members of Gold Coast met in late July on the far western end of Palmetto Road to take aim and fling axes at wood targets.

We arrived shortly before 11:00 am for our two-hour throwing party. Quickly signing liability waivers (required with good reason) and receiving demonstrations on safety and technique from two coaches, we split into three groups of ten. Each group was stationed in an axe throwing lane. The jocularity and axe tossing began forthwith. The coaches remained with the groups for some time to provide throwing tips and scorekeeping rules. While tossing axes may seem similar to darts—tossing a sharp object at a target—the similarity ends there.

Throwing a short-handle axe requires refined technique and concentration. These axes are a bit heavier than a little bitty dart after all. Having some arm strength is helpful, but not required. Listening to the coach, the drill is: relax, look at the target, and follow through – easy? Not! Concurrently with active axe heaving, we enjoyed sandwiches and snacks brought from Publix. For liquids, soft drinks, beer, wine, and even mead were available. It was a singular kind of event. Some of the GCR participants did quite well—natural axe chuckers perhaps—while others not so much.

The axes we generally threw were small, more hatchet-like. Later, the coaches allowed us to throw a longhandled axe just for fun. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Thank you to Rick V. for organizing this unique event.