I’d been looking forward to this event for weeks. So, when the Meetup host cancelled the event the day before, I didn’t miss a beat. I called the venue. Turns out, I didn’t need a reservation and the price was the same, regardless of whether I was part of a group or solo.
I showed up at the same time I was planning to meet the group. The GM had just opened the place and I was the only one there, which suited me just fine.
After welcoming me and showing me the Rage Room, full of broken things, he asked me to scan a QR code and fill out the waiver. After selling me a Gatorade (he said the “flavors” were “red, orange and blue”), he then escorted me to the A section.
Although he stated that I could throw with one or two hands, I found both hands to be the most comfortable while taking a step with my non dominant foot. I could have also stood behind the red line and thrown an axe without walking into it, a type of granny shot. That felt unnatural.
After a few misses, he coached me to throw a bit harder and the very next throw landed on the target.
For some odd reason, he asked me if I wanted to keep track of my points. I laughed and told him no. Some people compete against themselves for the highest score. Perhaps one day, that’ll be a goal of mine if I take to the game.
I threw at the other target whenever the main one I was using became littered with fallen axes.
Despite becoming more comfortable with the throwing motion, including the grip, I was inconsistent. I could land three axes in a row and bounce the next four. One axe would land close to the bullseye, then nowhere near the painted target.
One thing I knew for sure, I wasn’t leaving until I’d hit the bullseye. Or until he tapped me on the shoulder, telling me that my time was up. I never quite figured out how to aim, but I felt when the axe flew out of my hands incorrectly.
I surprised myself when the axe finally landed on the bullseye. I rang the bell near my lane, strutted to the check-in counter/bar and told him I was done. He told me that I had 13 minutes remaining. Again, I laughed, telling him that I had gotten my money’s worth.
Before I left, I took a picture of the GM’s jeep and my car. Only one of them looked like it was meant to be in the parking lot of such an establishment.
Here’s a clip of the GM coaching me how to throw an axe: