The bearded man, dressed in red flannel, slides his right hand down to the bottom of the handle. As he steadies his grip on the axe, he raises it beside his ear. In one smooth motion, he lunges toward the target and lets slip the weighted blade. The axe rotates before slicing into the target. Cheers ring out from onlookers.

Bull’s-eye!

This scene could’ve been taken from the Middle Ages, starring foot soldiers and knights, but here, it is merely an evening competition between friends in the Bend Axe Throwing mobile unit.

“There is something very primal about throwing an axe,” said Bend Axe Throwing co-owner Andrew Vijarro. “When you get your first one to stick in the wood, it is a feeling unlike any other!”

The Bend Axe Throwing mobile unit is a repurposed trailer, 18 feet long by eight feet wide, allowing for two throwing lanes and simultaneous throws. The axes, weighing less than two pounds, measure up to 16 inches long from the butt of the handle to the top of the three-inch axe head.

Each throwing session comes with instruction from the axe throwing coach on proper grip and throwing techniques, as well as a review of some competitive games so you can challenge your friends. You must be over 10 years old to throw an axe and have a legal guardian accompanying you if you’re under 18. There’s even a Velcro alternative for children.

Bend Axe Throwing made its triumphant debut in April and has been the talk of the town ever since. Already popular in the Midwest and Canada, axe throwing is slowly gaining a foothold in the Pacific Northwest.

So far, Bend Axe Throwing has set up at various food cart lots, breweries, the 4 Peaks Music Festival, and private parties throughout Central Oregon. Look for them at the Jefferson County, Crook County, and Deschutes County Fairs this summer. In addition, wannabe lumberjacks can check the Bend Axe Throwing Instagram page for their current whereabouts.

“The reception we have received has blown our expectations out of the water,” said Vijarro. “We have had so many private party and event requests that we are over the moon with excitement and can’t wait to see how the business evolves in the future.”

Vijarro and co-owner Zach Ayers both grew up in Bend and proudly call Central Oregon home. They each have growing families and are happy to bring another locally owned business to town.

“Zach had been following a few different axe throwing companies in Canada and the Midwest, and we thought it would be a great idea and fun activity to bring to Bend,” explained Vijarro.

Considering Bend’s reputation as an outdoors town with a history rooted in logging, it was only a matter of time before axe throwing made its way here. Now, instead of just wielding an axe around the campsite, locals and tourists can safely throw them under the watchful eye of an axe throwing coach in a contained area.

“The sport of axe throwing is definitely catching on,” said Vijarro. “Not many people have ever thrown an axe, but once they learn the correct technique, it is something almost anyone can do and become good at quickly.”

By this year’s immediate successful reception, axe throwing seems poised to overtake darts and corn-hole as the new favorite game in town.

“We have high hopes for the fair with the amount of people that the fair draws in,” said Vijarro. “We are really looking forward to teaching people how to throw axes and see the excitement on their face when they hit their first bull’s-eye.” ❦