Axe throwing: Health and Safety FAQs
Urban axe-throwing is really taking off as one of the most popular leisure activities in the UK, but some people still feel nervous about booking a game that involves real axes. At Game of Throwing we take the safety of our staff and customers very seriously. We all just want to have a great, fun time! Here are some of the things customers have asked us about the safety of axe throwing and what we are doing to make sure everyone at our venues is safe.
How do you train your staff?
We have fully trained Axe Throwing Instructors at every venue to make sure everyone involved in handling axes does so in a safe and reliable manner. Each staff member is taken through extensive training to ensure they are proficient in handling axes safely and delivering a safety briefing to our customers.
We also train our staff on lane and axe integrity, so that axes are checked for handle splits and head wobbles after every team and maintained regularly. Our lanes are also continuously examined to ensure the safety of the axe-throwing space.
What do we need to know before we arrive?
Axe throwing is available to everyone over ten, but there are some things you should probably be aware of before you arrive. We ask that everyone who is throwing axes wears fully enclosed shoes (in other words, no flip-flops or sandals) and that any clothing you wear doesn’t restrict movement or eye sight too much. We also don’t recommend drinking before playing, and if we believe anybody poses a risk to themselves or others, we will ask them to leave.
What happens when we arrive?
When you get to the site, you will have a dedicated Axe throwing instructor who will take you through all the most important Dos and Don’ts of axe throwing. You’ll be shown how to hold an axe (always by the handle), throw an axe (overhead, using one or two hands) and collect thrown axes (always collect the ones in the bullseye before picking up the ones on the ground). You’ll also be told not to pass axes between yourselves, but to keep them in the lanes at all times and store them in their holder when they’re not being used and between team members’ throws. The instructor will be on hand for questions throughout. They’ll help remind you of any safety rules and give you pointers on how to throw more accurately.
What is the set-up on site like?
Each team has a lane fully to themselves and only one person is allowed onto the lane at any time. Other team members can stand and watch from outside the lane when it’s not their turn. Our axe-throwing lanes are fully enclosed in thick wood and wire, meaning that no axes can go rogue and fly out. Throwers should stand behind the line unless collecting axes. The ground beyond the line is filled with specialist woodchips to dampen axe bounce-back, meaning we’ve done the research on how best to keep you safe… so you should follow the rules!
How safe is it really?
It’s extremely safe! We are continuously monitoring the integrity of the equipment, making sure our staff are fully trained in how to handle axes safely and our customers are monitored throughout to ensure everybody has the best experience!
So don’t worry about it - axe throwing is extremely fun and pretty addictive… bring a group of friends along and we’ll show you just how much fun you can have.