Nova Scotians are sharpening their axes and heading to Europe.
More than 35 competitors from the Maritimes are headed to Bolnas, Sweden, for the World Double Bit Axe-Throwing Championships.
The event is being held from July 31 to Aug. 2, and is being hosted by the Global Axe-Throwing Commission. The group was founded in 2020 and acts as a representative body for the sport of double-bit axe throwing.
In an interview with Acadia News, the owner of Wild Axe Lumberjack AXEperience in Barrington, Darren Hudson, said Canada and the Maritimes are well represented on the international stage.
“Canada has one of the highest numbers as far as representing nations go, it’s the love of axe throwing and these competitions that we host around the Maritimes,” said Hudson. “We’re looking good, we’re shaking things up around the globe. I think we’re going to see some top 10 finishes… I think we could see a world champion come out of Nova Scotia.”
Earlier in July, many of the same competitors heading to Sweden travelled to Thirsk, England, for the U.K Axe-Throwing Championships.
In the international men’s division, Nova Scotians Bradley Goodsell and Eugene Donaldson took home gold and silver.
On the international women’s side, Tusket’s Sandy Cranton won silver, and Jessica Goodland of Halifax came in third.
Cranton said she’s glad to see more women involved in the sport.
“Some people hear axe-throwing and they picture ‘big burly bearded guys,’” said Cranton.
Cranton and Goodland are both among those competing in Sweden, and will look to bring home gold to Nova Scotia.
