Best For Beginners? Too Much ‘Expert’ Instruction For Me

Review of the Yorkshire Activity Centre, near York, UK

To be candid, I didn’t really enjoy the Yorkshire Activity Centre axe throwing experience. The session was too rigid, too much a training session for the ‘inexperienced’ by the ‘expert’, for me. It might suit others who want that more instructor-led step-by-step approach though. But, even then, I’d say beginners to the sport would benefit from throwing more and having fun, rather than be lectured.

As the name suggests, the centre offers a range of activities, including archery, air rifles, clay pigeon shooting, crossbows and quad bikes. It is based out in the countryside about half an hour from York. The activities are hosted in a variety of wooden shacks/corrals next to a large dirt car park. If you’re looking for a multi-activity day out, including axe throwing, then it would be a good option I guess.

I guess their instructional style comes from delivering various activities, and they’ve just added axe throwing to the list. I’m not against a more instructor-led style. It suits some and I’ve seen it done well. But, on this occasion it felt more like a lecture on axe throwing interspersed with a bit of throwing, rather than a fun activity.

The session seemed to be a set script delivered by rote by the instructor (who was personable enough, and seemed to know what he was doing). It was 15 minutes before any axes were picked up, and, even then, that was to throw once right-handed and then again once left-handed, in order to discover our “preferred throwing arm”. To my mind, a fairly pointless waste of another few minutes. It would be rare for a right/left handed person to suddenly find they can throw with their weaker arm. All that happened was the weaker arm throws went wild for most people as you’d expect.

I don’t know how many throws each person had, but I’d guess less than a dozen in the whole hour. Even if you accept it was more of a training activity than a fin, social one, those few throws are not going to help beginners really get to grips with the sport (and just frustrate more experienced throwers).

On a more positive note, the setup was quite good. It was an outdoor range, so the row of targets were all out in the open, but there was a small porch throwing area, which was protected from the worst of the elements. The throwers stood here, under cover and then threw at the targets across the yard area. As is usual in outdoor ranges, there were no dividers between the targets, so everyone had to throw at the same time and then wait to all collect their axe at the same time. This was also, necessarily, closely regimented by the instructor.

The targets were also pretty good. Simple tree rounds mounted on a post, so nice, forgiving end-grain and in reasonable condition. The ‘axes’ were trail hawk style tomahawks. I like them for throwing, although they can be a bit light for some people.

The session was a public session, so we shared it with about 15 people, mostly from one group. I didn’t mind being in a group of strangers, but it did mean there was a bit of waiting for your turn, particularly as you have to wait for everyone to throw and collect their axes at the same time, before changing places.

I try not to be too critical in my reviews of axe throwing venues. There are always positive points to focus on and I’ve mentioned a few for the Yorkshire Activity Centre here, but it would be difficult to recommend the experience to others. However, if you happen to like a more dogmatic style of instruction and are totally axe throwing beginners then this might suit you (more than me). Also, I can see it being good for groups (eg Stag/Hen dos) who are just out for a good time and are not too bothered about what activity they are doing.

Disclaimer: “The Axe Inspector” receives no payment or benefit of any kind from either TheAxeThrower.com or from the venue, for this review. The review is the subjective opinion of one person (albeit as objective as possible) and we encourage throwers to try out the venue to make their own mind up.