Jack Axe has an axe-cellent way of adding some more axe-citement to the Sports Days weekend.
Jack Axe has an axe-cellent way of adding some more axe-citement to the Sports Days weekend.
The Edmonton-based company will be back in town for the weekend to set up their booth — a unique destination for locals who want to experience the thrill of competitive axe-throwing.
For those who have never tried it before, one must be very cautious of their surroundings before giving it a go, a spokesperson from Jack Axe told the POST, as they list safety as their number one priority in their 'Jack Axe 101 short course for beginners'.
"The main things to learn when throwing an axe is #1 safety. We want to make sure everyone is safe when throwing axes, and as the axe-citement builds up in a lot of people, sometimes our surroundings are forgotten," They said, "The basic 101 course is all about distance, rotation and how you throw. Everyone throw's differently, but from our "throwing line" only one rotation is needed to hit the target."
Once the amateur thrower knows what they are doing, has a good idea of the different factors involved, and know how many rotations of the axe in flight fit their style, that's where the fun part begins. The Jack Axe spokesperson calls it the "sweet spot".
"Trying to figure out someone's "sweet spot" is the main goal, once that is achieved axe throwing is easy and fun. The number one thing we suggest to everyone is to not flick your wrists, as this adds to the rotations. Theoretically the axe should do all the work for you, your just helping it by guiding it to the right direction," they said.
The unique axe-throwing competition has been brought to Lac La Biche a couple of times before this for different events including the Winter Festival of Speed, however being here for Sports Days will be their first. Speaking from their previous Lac La Biche experience, and the feedback that they received from the locals, officials from Jack Axe are excited to come back for the weekend, and can't wait to set up.
"We have been in Lac La Biche before for a few different events and we always love coming back. We love to see familiar faces as well as new ones. Honestly, not too sure what to expect from this year's event, as we haven't taken part in an event like this before. But, I expect, we will see some of our loyal Certified Jack Axe customers, and as always provide everyone with the thrill of axe throwing," they said.
The Lac La Biche Sports Days events runs through the weekend with a number of events designed to get community members outside and active. From an outdoor bingo game where the dabbers can blur with speed to the ups and downs of the Average Joe's Obstacle Course, a golf chipping contest, three-on-three basketball challenges and a beach volleyball tournament for those who like to participate, to baseball games where the teams do the work and the spectators enjoy their efforts. There's also water sports — weather and water conditions permitting — ready to make a splash through the weekend with 'how-to' classes as well as demonstrations from Alberta's finest waterski athletes.
