Hub City Ax Throwing is hosting its first sanctioned tournament

ABERDEEN, SD (Dakota News Now) – An Aberdeen couple has turned a hobby into a business, and less than three years after opening Hub City Ax Throwing, they’re gearing up to host their first sanctioned competition.

Ryan and Amanda Perrion first started throwing axes out of boredom during the pandemic.

“We actually set up a goal in our backyard during Covid. We were just kind of bored and looking for something to do, and this was something different and cool, and no one had done it before in the area,” said Ryan Perrion.

In November 2020 Perrions opened Hub City Ax Throwing at Uptown Aberdeen Mall. Last October, they expanded their business and moved to Main Street.

“We had never actually been to a venue before we opened. Everything was closed because of Covid. So we were spending a lot of time on YouTube and just going to websites and trying to learn as much as we could and then to come here and take everything we learned and do what we wanted to do,” Ryan said.

Ryan is now competing at the professional level. He has become a household name in the professional ax throwing community and wanted to bring a sanctioned competition to the Hub City.

With four children under the age of 11 and a full-time job, it’s no easy feat. Fortunately, the Perrions’ passion for ax throwing helped them along.

“When you’re working full-time, on top of running a business, on top of that, I’m a thrower, so you know, my travel schedule, babysitting, kids’ schedule… I don’t think anyone can relate to that.” prepared to put themselves in this situation without a bit of passion,” Ryan said.

Over the weekend, more than 50 competitors have registered for the Hub City Open, which features women’s, hatchet, big ax and two-way events. The competition is sanctioned by the World Axe Throwing League.

For Perrion, it’s a chance to show their peers in the professional ax world what they’ve created in their hometown.

“It just came down to passion, we wanted to show our friends in the ax community what we’ve built and bring them to Aberdeen. I think they’re going to have a great time this weekend,” Ryan said.

Even the young Perrions will participate.

“All of our kids throw. Even my four-year-old got a few axes to stick with. My daughter is going to compete in the women’s event tonight,” Ryan said.

For Ryan, his love of ax throwing stems not from bulls or trophies, but from the openness of the community.

“I think any ax thrower, especially those who travel a bit, will tell you that the community is what makes the sport what it is. Traveling to tournaments is not very profitable now. We are a small sport. There is not a ton of money here. So to go to these things, there has to be more than just dropping by and getting a trophy,” Ryan said.

This acceptance may be the main reason for the rapid growth of the sport.

“It’s a fun and open sport that anyone can play. Our steam wall can show how many people have entered and even hit the balls. So anyone can go through the league, regardless of age. It doesn’t matter what year you are in. Because of how fun and open it is, I think it shows the potential for the sport to grow in the long term,” Ryan said.

The Hub City Open Race is open to the public and a direct stream of the contest will be available all weekend.

Ryan said that while he’s just making sure the weekend runs smoothly now, he hopes the race becomes an annual event.

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