THUNDER BAY -- Wielding axes to cut down trees is rooted in the history of northwestern Ontario, but now it's transformed into a lounge activity.
A Sudbury entrepreneur who already owns axe-throwing lounges in three northern communities, will officially open her Thunder Bay operation next month, in the same building that houses a bar.
Kelsey Cutinello, owner of Northern Axperts, says axe-throwing caters to anyone looking for a different "fun" experience.
"If you've ever gone and played pool or golf or darts or any kind of sport, basically...if you're looking for a new activity, something to get out of the house, there's definitely a competitive level with it," Cutinello said in an interview with tbnewswatch.com
Participants play in groups, each member paying a fee to play for two hours at a time.
"You come in and you throw a hatchet at a target, and there's a point system, and that's pretty much the gist of it," Cutinello said.
Players can join leagues and even compete against axe-throwers in lounges all over the globe.
Cutinello said the sport has been around for perhaps a decade in some larger cities, but has just recently started to expand to smaller centres.
She's used to being questioned about the wisdom of allowing axes to be tossed around in proximity to where alcohol is consumed, but insists that there are safeguards in place to reduce the risk of accidents.
"When we first announce the lounge opening in another city, there's definitely people who ask 'What, you can drink and throw axes? How is that safe?' It's not a free-for-all by any means," Cutinello said.
She said in addition to ensuring that people are drinking responsibly, a coach stays with each group from the time the players arrive until they leave, and they are trained in Smart Serve, the provincial government's education program for alcohol-servers.
Players are encouraged to delay alcohol consumption until after the competition is finished, and anyone showing signs of intoxication is not allowed to compete at all, Cutinello said.
In cooperation with the bar owners, she added, bartending staff at all Northern Axperts locations are also trained. "They understand that when somebody's coming to do the axe-throwing, they're not going to be serving shots and getting the group obviously intoxicated."
Cutinello said experience has shown that players who pay a fee to compete are unlikely to "sabotage themselves" by having too many drinks and risking disqualification.
In addition, as a member of the sport's governing body, the National Axe Throwing Federation, she said her company sets up the play areas with multiple mandatory safety features.
The Thunder Bay site is being set up in the Royalton Hotel on Bay Street.
Cutinello expects that many of her Thunder Bay clientele will find the sport addictive.
"It's also just great for stress relief. Throwing an axe at a target, there's something about it that people love. Once you try it you just want to come back."
