Axe Thrower Interview: Nessa

Nessa and I have tried to sit down/stand up/walk around for an axe thrower interview for the past year and a half. Each time, something stopped us from actually doing the thing – but we finally found the time at Countess this year. We talked about the Countess Cup, the value of women/femme/minority engagement in the sport of axe throwing, and the qualifications for someone to be looked up to.

What do you think makes Countess Cup special?

I mean, this room of women, the communities, the women’s leagues that are really started … They really started investing time and energy in women’s leagues. I think that’s what’s building this community and that’s what fuels this. I mean, all of us in here are going to have a good time regardless of how we throw and that’s what.

And why do you think that’s important?

Because it grows the sport and it grows the sport in an area that I really feel like we do need to grow the sport, which is investing in women and investing in marginalized communities.

What do you think makes you special?

I can nag like a champ and get them to show up on time.

Okay but truly: I think you are directly responsible for the growth of women in this sport, especially, maybe not in the world, obviously, but especially in the region that you’re in and the Northeast. The more people I talk to about this, the more your name comes up all the time.

Are you trying to make me cry?

Maybe, but it’s true. I knew you by reputation before I knew you. And the way that I knew you was that you were incredibly supportive of women in the sport, marginalized people in the sport, femme people in the sport and how much work you put in to if not manage, co-manage making those things happen. And I think that’s true and I think you should give yourself credit.

I mean, do I work hard at that? Yes. But I wouldn’t be able to do it if I didn’t have the support of the women, and the support of venues as well. Choppers has been great about, if I say I want to do a Pride event, I do a Pride event and there’s no questions asked.

Do you think the women of this sport, the community of women, I think is unique in how strong it is.

I would agree.

Do you think that the community of axe throwing is as strong as it is because of what women bring to it, and the community they built within themselves and with each other? Or do you think the strength of community femme throwers have is a reflection of the overall strength of the community of axe throwing?

I think it’s both and I think it has to be both because one fuels and protects the other. And if you didn’t have one, you wouldn’t have the other and it goes both ways.

Who do you look up to in the sport?

I look up to Heather, Lady Ham. She’s hands down — she should be a community ambassador. When I started throwing at Choppers, she was the first person who adopted me. Kevin Bradley, I would not be the thrower I am if it wasn’t for him deciding to randomly give me an axe because I was like, “Oh, this is pretty, but I can’t afford it.”

What is it that you think makes for somebody you look up to in the sport?

Kindness. Welcoming, helping somebody out. This sport is full of introverts, myself included and to watch somebody go over to them and know how to not expect them to be extrovert, just sit down with them and talk to them and make them feel more welcome, which makes them feel more comfortable, which makes them throw better. That’s what I gravitate towards. So I would say kindness.

Would you change anything in axe throwing? Try to limit your answer.

I would have better communication.

Between who?

I think we all know who I’m referring to.

What’s something you would absolutely not change in axe throwing?

How leagues are run, I think. Everybody I talk to, this is what they look forward to during the week. If you have a crappy day, everybody’s like, “Well, I’m going to go to accelerant because that’s going to make me feel better.” So I would leave leagues as they are.

Big thanks to Nessa for taking time out of her day to chat with me, and for everything she does in the sport.