Not very many people can say they played darts with heavy axes. Ogden’s Social Axe throwing has been a popular place for locals and Weber State students.
Social Axe’s owner Brayden Floyd got the idea after watching a YouTube video of “Game of Thrones” actor Jason Momoa.
In the video, Momoa drinks a beer, throws a tomahawk and hits a bullseye.
After watching the video, Floyd said he needed to see no more. He found out that indoor ax-throwing was a thing and was rapidly growing in Canada.
Floyd opened his first location right across the street from The Junction in April 2017, being one of the first fifteen ax-throwing clubs to open in the United States with most of them being established in major cities.
“Throwing axes is awesome,” Floyd said. “It’s like darts but on steroids. Throwing a footlong axe and hitting bullseye is an incredible thrill.”
Since casual axe-throwing’s introduction to the United States, Social Axe has quickly grown and has hosted corporate outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties and even date nights.
Because of this growth, Floyd added two more facilities in Orem and Salt Lake City, and most recently, a mobile unit, which brings the excitement of ax-throwing to your backyard party.
The Ogden location serves food and soda to its guests, but since it’s across the street from the Ogden temple, Floyd decided it was best to not apply for a liquor and beer license.
“It makes you liberated,” Floyd said. “We have 30 people in our Ogden league and (they) leave with new friendships.”
Because people are playing with potentially dangerous equipment, Social Axe takes every precaution to avoid accidents. Each person will learn how to properly carry the axe and how to throw it to avoid any injury.
“Nobody has been injured at our locations,” Floyd said. “We take safety very seriously. We have yet to lose any blood, and I hope we never do.”
Just like darts, players are scored by how close they get to bullseye. Floyd said that play does get intense, but it is a great stress reliever for its participants.
During the Halloween season, Social Axe puts printed-out zombie characters on the wood targets.
Social Axe now has leagues every Tuesday night at each location. It’s a nine-week league, and on week nine, they’ll take their top 12 throwers to compete for the Utah State Champion belt.
For individuals who want to sign up for the league, you must be 18 years or older, and there is a fee of $120.
