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Couple finds 㽶ƵֱZen㽶Ƶֱ through axe throwing, chasing a world title

Tossing a harp, heavy blade into a circle of wood is bringing satisfaction to many people
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Nick and Kendra Kolomyja, a husband and wife team who run an axe and knife throwing business, lean on a target at their venue in Calgary, Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Nick Kolomyja reckons axe throwing may have saved his life.

After 30 years as a welder working long hours in heavy construction, he opened an axe and knife-throwing venue in Calgary with his wife last year.

㽶ƵֱYou work 21 days straight. I never got to see my kids. I was burnt out, worked hard, found this, found a new passion in life and just went for it,㽶Ƶֱ said Kolomyja, 45.

㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs crazy because I always look back on it a little bit and think axe throwing probably just saved my life.㽶Ƶֱ

Kendra Kolomyja, 42, took archeology at the University of Calgary then did her graduate work in the Netherlands before moving back to teach at Mount Royal University and work in cultural resource management.

So far, she hasn㽶Ƶֱt found any ancient axe heads.

㽶ƵֱI have found a lot of bison bones, arrowheads around here. It would be super cool if I found, like, a fur trade axe. That would be amazing.㽶Ƶֱ

The couple first started throwing axes and knives at a friend㽶Ƶֱs birthday party and liked it so much they signed up for a league.

They have both qualified, for the sixth time, to compete at the world championships. Next year it㽶Ƶֱs in Appleton, Wis.

Live Edge Axe Throwing, which the couple opened in November, offers instruction to beginners as well as a spot for more advanced throwers whocompete in weekly leagues with the goal of making it to the worlds.

There are two large targets painted on plywood in each of the five lanes, separated by chain-link fence.

The Kolomyjas each get their own kind of satisfaction from throwing.

㽶ƵֱYou get that release out of it. If you㽶Ƶֱve been having a bad day, and you think, 㽶ƵֱGod, I just want to throw something at a wall,㽶Ƶֱ there it is,㽶Ƶֱ said Nick Kolomyja.

However, putting a picture of a politician or an ex on the target is a no-no to keep things positive.

For Kendra Kolomyja, it㽶Ƶֱs getting the axe to stick, or sinking the blade into the target.

㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs actually not as tough as people might think,㽶Ƶֱ she said.

㽶ƵֱSticking it is just so satisfying and cathartic 㽶Ƶֱ it㽶Ƶֱs a Zen thing, where you kind of get into that repetition, over and over. It㽶Ƶֱs amazing.㽶Ƶֱ

The sport flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic with online and Zoom tournaments. People built targets in their backyards and basements. The Kolomyjas set one up in their garage.

With their new business, the couple said the bills are being paid and the lights are still on.

㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs an interesting industry where it㽶Ƶֱs exploding in the last few years,㽶Ƶֱ said Kendra Kolomyja.

㽶ƵֱIt㽶Ƶֱs sort of the new bowling at the moment, where people are just discovering that everybody wants to throw an axe 㽶Ƶֱ you maybe just didn㽶Ƶֱt know that you did.㽶Ƶֱ





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