Things I want: Axe Throwing Camp

Our sport is a paradox. It's HUUUUGE in community building and friendship/camaraderie, but it's a very isolated experience - you're throwing against yourself, if in most cases, and you kinda work out your best axe/technique on your own (or with a few other people who take the time to teach you). And while that's worked pretty well so far--and I sincerely hope the idea of helping out fellow axe throwers (and even competitors) never goes away, I do often wish there was something more.

Back when I played bike polo--and I'm sure it's still the case now--we had something called polo camp. At least I think it was called that. It was a multi-day event where players got together and taught each other. Polo players who were really, really good at the sport would hold intensives on particular elements of the game, and at the end there would be a bunch of polo matches for people to try out what they learned and have a fun time.

I wonder if such a thing has ever happened for axe throwing, and what it would look like.

AXE THROWING CAMP PROGRAM

In my mind, Axe Throwing Camp would gather up a bunch of accomplished throwers who would teach things like:

• Throwing stance

• Throwing style and practice

• Choosing your handle type, and why

• Throwing clutch/premier/premier clutch

• Different throwing techniques

• Big axe (just...all of it)

• Ways to practice on your own/drills to run for getting stronger at specific throws

• Adjusting your axe (sharpening/shaping the handle/axe care/how to talk pretty to it at night)

and more things that I'm not thinking of right now. Over the course of a weekend (or whatever), players could sign up for specific "classes" and learn everything there is to know about an element of our sport. After the clinical side of things is complete, maybe we throw a tourney just for the sake of throwing a tourney and to see how much of an impact the lessons/training/clinicals had on attendees.

LEARNING TOGETHER = FUN TOGETHER

The way I see it (and I could be wrong--I know, unbelievable, right?!) we currently only really meet up with throwers from other venues via tourneys and travel. I mean, yeah, duh. What an insightful bit of writing, right. But what I'm getting at is how a "skills camp" for axe throwing would allow a different kind of get together - one that wasn't necessarily high pressure, nor put a heavy demand on any one individual to travel A LOT to see as many people in one spot.

Imagine a day or two where you could chit chat with other throwers, learn a thing or two, have a cute little lunch and then get the chance to throw a bunch of axes while sharing what you know or want to know. A dream - at least for me.

So anyway, not necessarily an educational nor entertaining post, but I thought I'd put the idea out into the world. Fly high, little idea. Fly far.