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Bringing out your inner lumberjack is now easier for West Volusians. Wise Axe, an axe-throwing facility, is now open on the DeLand Municipal Airport.
It’s the first and, so far, only axe-throwing facility in the area, said owner Amy Neiman.
Axe-throwing is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, she said, getting its start roughly 11 years ago in Canada as a lumberjack sport. It has spread across the United States and worldwide, with now roughly 1,500 facilities in operation.
Neiman was visiting her son in Virginia earlier this year when she learned an axe-throwing facility had opened near his home. Being somewhat adventurous, she decided to give it a try.
“As soon as we walked in the door, I loved it,” Neiman said. “It’s great exercise and very fun. I told my husband this would be a great fit for DeLand.”
So the couple opened their own axe-throwing facility in late September. The result is a place with eight throwing lanes, a viewing area, and a lounge where snacks and drinks are for sale. Beer and wine will soon be offered, Neiman said.
The throwing lanes are guarded by chain-link fencing on either side, with plywood targets at the far end. The targets feature a 4-inch-in-diameter bull’s-eye surrounded by four concentric rings, each 4 inches wide. A bull’s-eye is worth 5 points, and each ring outward is worth 1 point less than the one before.
Above each throwing lane, colored lights are positioned to shine on the targets. At night, the overhead lights are turned off to give the facility more of a party atmosphere, Neiman said.
Despite the seeming danger of sharp-bladed instruments flying through the air, axe-throwing is a very safe sport, Neiman insists. When you come in to throw, a Wise Axe coach will explain safety rules and how to throw properly. It usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to get the hang of it, Neiman said, and no experience is necessary.
Once you get the feel for hitting the target, your coach will show you how to play some axe-throwing games. Wise Axe offers several games for beginners and others for those with a bit more experience.
Neiman is hoping to get an axe-throwing league started soon. Wise Axe has just recently been accepted as a certified facility in the World Axe Throwing League.
Wise Axe will sponsor a fundraiser for ME STRONG on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020.
“We are hoping to get 30 four-person teams to sign up,” Neiman said.
The cost is $200 per team, according to a press release. There will be four rounds, and the winners of each round will compete against each other to determine an overall winner. The winning team will receive a golden axe on the wall and, of course, bragging rights.
Wise Axe is at 1220 Biscayne Blvd., Suite G, across from a Boulevard Tire plant. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Wise Axe is closed Monday and Tuesday.
For more information or to learn about specials, go to www.WiseAxeDeLand.com or call 386-873-4791.
