Bad Axe Throwing Comes to Surrey

Surrey residents will be able to sharpen their axe-throwing skills starting this May

Contrary to what the name suggests, the employees at Bad Axe Throwing are actually very knowledgeable and passionate about their jobs. The company title is only a pun on “bad ass,” used to illustrate how proud they are of what they do.

“I believe that I, myself, and all the other coaches at Bad Axe Throwing are incredible axe-throwing accolades,” says Melanie Williamson, proclaimed Axe-Throwing Vixen for Bad Axe Throwing. However, there are no skills required for average club members. For the regular, unprofessional axe-thrower, it’s just a fun way to take the edge off.

Williamson, who has worked at Bad Axe Toronto since October, is 2013’s Miss Canada winner. She, like many others who participate in axe throwing, found her passion in hurling steel as a source of stress relief and amusement. Her title as Axe Throwing Vixen was inspired by her “lumberjack glam” look and impressive throwing expertise.

“I’m pretty handy with an axe,” she says. “My infamous axe-throwing trick is to do a one-handed cartwheel, and then throw the axe right into a bullseye.”

Her experience as a Miss Canada winner taught her “the skill set to be well-spoken, to have great charisma, and run interesting events,” which has carried through to her role with Bad Axe Throwing. Aside from participating in the sport itself, she also works with the company’s expansion plan by transforming locations, hiring and training new employees, and talking to press.

The new Bad Axe location will be on 130th Street in Surrey. The company’s other locations are in Burlington, Edmonton, Halifax, Kitchener, Missisauga, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vaughan and Winnipeg. Surrey is the most recent location to open up, chosen as “the perfect area [with] the perfect population.”

“There’s something charming about Surrey. We looked at going right into Vancouver but there’s a lot going on there,” says Williamson. “I think it’s going to be a win-win situation for both sides.”

For anyone worried about losing an appendage to an axe, Williamson assures the public that the sport is very safe—so safe, in fact, that there is no protective gear required.

“There have been no serious injuries,” she says. “Areas are caged. When you’re not throwing you stand behind them, and the coaches take usually a half hour to an hour to train you properly on how to throw an axe and keep safe in the space. The axes are taped up [and] at a point where they’re not so extremely sharp that anyone could be seriously injured. Based on the distance from the target board, there’s not much of a chance for the axe to come back at you… It’s quite safe.”

The sport is open to people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Children are able to participate, though Williamson notes that “those that are a little bit older—preteens and up—are more capable of throwing an axe.” Some of the events that Bad Axe Throwing caters to include bachelor(ette) parties, birthdays, corporate events, or just friendly get-togethers. To set up an event, anyone interested can visit the company’s website for contact information.

The first day of Bad Axe Throwing’s Surrey open house is May 22, at 8132 130th Street. The facility will be open to the public for the entire weekend.

For anyone hoping to attend the open house, Williamson has one crucial piece of advice: “Remember to eat, drink, and be burly.”