This past weekend, BATL Axe Throwing Toronto West location played host to the Summer Skillz Competition. This annual competition, in its 7th year, is a celebration of all things axe throwing. NATF league membersfrom all across North America gathered to participate in four specialized axe throwing games – Blackjack, Around the World, Doubles, and Yahtzee. Each game varies from the format of our league play and requires skill and precision to succeed at, which is why this annual competition brings out the best of the best. Congratulations to all champions from Summer Skillz in Toronto 2018, and thanks to everyone that came out and competed!
Following the events, everyone put down the axes and spent some quality time with their fellow throwers. Like most BATL venues, BATL Toronto West sports a full bar which kept the party going. In addition to a DJ providing tunes to keep the dance floor moving, our Summer Skills after-party also featured an outdoor patio sponsored by Beaus All Natural Brewing Co. that included a dunk tank and high striker game.
BATL Axe Throwing prides itself on the community that we build through the urban sport of axe throwing, and that was on full display this Sunday.
UPCOMING NATIONAL AXE THROWING FEDERATION COMPETITIONS
The next Skillz competition will take place this weekend in Baltimore hosted by NATF member Urban Axes, with the Summer Skillz Superslam and Urban Open, which is a double-elimination tournament. The next Skillz competition at BATL will be in February of 2019, which is in conjunction with the National Axe Throwing Championships (NATC) in Toronto.
Winter Skillz is part of our annual All-Star Weekend and will take place after the NATC – a day-long tournament that will be in its 9th year. The top four members in each league from all NATF qualify for the pre-tournament, which ends up as a top 128 double-elimination tournament. On top of a cash prize, the winner will also get to take home the Wilson Cup – named after BATL Axe Throwing founder Matt Wilson.
THE NATIONAL AXE THROWING FEDERATION LEAGUE COMMUNITY
If you’ve been trying to figure out what to do with your spare time and the idea of making new friendships and becoming part of a like-minded worldwide community, consider joining an axe throwing league. BATL Axe Throwing started 12 years as just that: a group of friends throwing axes for friendly competition in a backyard once a week. What started as a group of 8 friends quickly snowballed to a core of over 60 people – getting popular to the point that in 2011 we had to take our operations to an indoor warehouse. Since then, the scoring system has been refined and the National Axe Throwing Federation was formed (of which BATL is a founding member).
Since pioneering the sport of axe throwing, there are now more than 4000 league members across the world playing under rules founded by BATL Axe Throwing – the pioneers of urban axe throwing.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
Our axe throwing leagues run for 8 weeks, completely under the guidance of our resident axe gurus. Each season consists of round-robin style tournament play, where you’ll throw 28 games against other people in the league, culminating in a top 16 double elimination playoff on week 8. Our leagues are suitable for people of all skill levels, with staff on hand at all times ready to give you tips and tricks to make sure that you’re hitting the bullseye. With 18 locations across North America (including Toronto, Pickering, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Hamilton, London, Kitchener, and Calgary in Canada; and Chicago, Novi, and Nashville in the United States) it’s never been easier to get involved in our sport. Learn more about our axe throwing leagues here.
League play falls under the National Axe Throwing Federation umbrella, the worlds foremost governing body of the sport of axe throwing (of which BATL is a founding member). The NATF was established in 2016 to service the sport of axe throwing globally, with a vision to create broad and standardized competition amongst players, while providing member support through a mandate to promote universal safety, sportsmanship and competitive protocol. Being part of the NATF gives you access to the most advanced statistic tracking in the sport of urban axe throwing.
AXE THROWING AT BATL AXE THROWING
Though our weekly league play is what made us famous, each of our 13 locations across North America offers other ways to get involved with axe throwing. Our private event group bookings are offered for groups of 2 and up and are perfectly suited for any occasion – adult birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, corporate team building, or just a summer outing with friends.
Private event bookings include one on one coaching from our expert staff, followed by a round-robin tournament and playoff. If you’re looking to get involved in our sport with less commitment, BATL Axe Throwing also offers weekly public walk-in sessions with no advance booking required; just show up and hone your skill!
Most BATL locations offer a fully licensed bar and food menu, meaning all you have to do is worry about aiming for the bullseye and leave the rest to us.
2019 ALL-STAR WEEKEND
Stay tuned for more information on the All-Star Weekend including Winter Skills and the National Axe Throwing Championships, and stop by a BATL location soon to experience the unique thrill of axe throwing if you haven’t already!