Reviewed · VANCOUVER ISLAND TOURS
Axe Throwing in Victoria
The most useful thing about this Victoria activity is that you do not need to arrive knowing how to throw. A coach meets you at Forged Axe Throwing, explains the safety rules, and gets your group practicing before moving into scoring, team games, and trick throws. No experience is required, and the one-hour format keeps the outing easy to fit into a day of sightseeing.
I like the hands-on coaching and the weatherproof setting. I also like the low price of $23.73 per person, which makes this a practical choice for friends, families, or a date. The main drawback is the short session. One hour is enough for an introduction, but serious throwers may want more time.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you book
- A one-hour introduction to axe throwing in Victoria
- Starting with safety and the basic throw
- From practice throws to scoring games
- Trick throws add variety to the hour
- What the $23.73 price gets you
- Location, timing, and getting there
- Who should book this activity
- Practical details that can make or break the visit
- How the experience compares with other Victoria plans
- Should you book Forged Axe Throwing?
- FAQ
- How long does the axe-throwing session last?
- Where does axe throwing take place in Victoria?
- Do I need previous axe-throwing experience?
- What should I wear?
- What is the minimum age?
- What does the $23.73 price include?
Key points to know before you book

- You learn the basics first: A host explains throwing technique, scoring, safety, and game rules before the competitive part begins.
- The session lasts about one hour: Sessions start at the top of the hour, from 12 p.m. through 8 p.m. daily.
- The downtown address is convenient: Forged Axe Throwing is at 586 Johnson St. in Victoria, near public transportation.
- Closed-toe shoes are required: Running shoes, boots, and clogs work, but sandals and flip-flops do not.
- The activity suits beginners and regulars: Coaches teach first-timers while giving experienced throwers a chance to practice.
- The price is modest: At $23.73 per person, the session costs less than many longer guided activities, though food and drinks are extra.
A one-hour introduction to axe throwing in Victoria

Axe throwing sounds like a contest of strength. In practice, the early part is about control, distance, and a repeatable motion. That makes this activity more approachable than you might expect.
You arrive at Forged Axe Throwing and meet your host at the front desk. After signing in and completing the required waivers, you receive safety instructions. Arrive about 10 minutes early so this paperwork does not eat into your throwing time.
The activity is held indoors, which matters in Victoria. Rain will not spoil your plans, and the venue also gives you a way to stay active on a cold day, during smoky conditions, or when outdoor sightseeing loses its appeal. I would treat it as a useful backup for poor weather, not just as a novelty.
The session is hosted rather than self-guided. That is important for a first visit. You are not simply handed an axe and left to guess what to do. The coach takes your group through the basic throw, watches the early attempts, and then introduces the scoring and games.
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Starting with safety and the basic throw
The first stage is practice. Your host explains how to handle the axe and how to aim at the target. The supplied information does not name individual coaches, but the instructors are described as friendly and effective at teaching several different throws.
That guidance is the part I value most. Beginners often worry that they will be the one person who cannot get the axe to stick. The coaching is designed to move you past that awkward first attempt and toward a reliable throw. The experience also includes a guarantee that you will hit the target, which gives nervous beginners a clear sense of the session’s goal.
The exact feel of the throw will vary from person to person. Some people may find the motion natural at once, while others need several attempts to judge the distance. The short practice period lets you work through that learning curve without making the session feel like a formal sports lesson.
You should wear comfortable clothing that lets you move freely. Closed-toe footwear is mandatory. Running shoes, boots, and clogs are accepted, but sandals and flip-flops are not suitable.
From practice throws to scoring games

Once your group has the basics, the coach explains how to score a match. This turns the activity from target practice into a simple contest. You can focus on improving your own accuracy, or you can add a little friendly pressure by playing against the people in your group.
The host also introduces team games. These are a good fit for a mixed group because they give everyone a reason to stay involved, even if one person is throwing more accurately than the others. You do not need to arrive as a competitive athlete. The structure lets you learn, laugh at the occasional miss, and then try again.
The session can also include tournament-style games. That phrase may sound serious, but the format is useful because it gives experienced throwers something beyond the introductory lesson. Forged also welcomes people who already throw regularly or compete in a league.
I would set your expectations correctly. This is not a long tournament and the one-hour booking does not leave much room for a full competitive program. It is an introduction with a game element, suitable for a casual outing and a first taste of the sport.
Trick throws add variety to the hour
After the basics and team games, coaches teach trick throws. This gives the session a change of pace and keeps it from feeling like repeated practice at the same target.
The trick shots are also a useful sign that the coaches are trying to make the hour entertaining, not merely instructional. You can work on your normal throw first, then try something less familiar once you have a feel for the venue and equipment.
For a beginner, the trick-throw section is best viewed as an optional challenge rather than a test. Your main goal is to throw safely and hit the target. If your group is more interested in competition, you can put more attention on scoring and tournament-style play.
The coaching has earned especially strong praise for the way the instructors teach different throws. That makes this a better choice than an unhosted session for someone who wants to learn a real skill instead of simply taking a few photos with an axe.
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What the $23.73 price gets you

The listed price is $23.73 per person. It includes the axes, targets, taxes, fees, and handling charges. You do not need to rent equipment separately or pay an extra facility charge once you book.
For an hour of coached indoor activity, I consider that fair value. The price sits in the range of an easy add-on to a Victoria day, especially if you are splitting a larger entertainment budget among friends. It also gives families and couples a more active option than another café stop.
The value is strongest for first-timers. You are paying not only for access to a target, but also for an introduction to the sport, safety guidance, scoring instruction, team games, and trick throws. A regular thrower may judge the price differently because the session is brief, but the coaching still makes it useful practice time.
Food and drinks are not included. Plan to eat before or after the activity rather than expecting refreshments as part of the booking.
Location, timing, and getting there
Forged Axe Throwing is located at 586 Johnson St., Victoria, British Columbia, V8W 1Z2. The venue is near public transportation, and the activity ends at the same place where it begins.
Sessions start on the hour from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily. That schedule gives you several ways to fit the activity around museums, meals, shopping, or other plans. Since the session is only about an hour, you can book it as a stand-alone outing or place it between other stops.
I would still reserve ahead. The experience is booked an average of 22 days in advance, and the venue recommends booking or calling before you arrive to confirm space in the next session. A walk-in may work, but it is not the plan I would use for a fixed vacation schedule.
Arrive 10 minutes early. You need that time for sign-in, waivers, and the safety briefing. If you arrive right at the start time, you may miss part of the practice period.
One detail in the supplied practical information refers to being a short distance from Whistler Village. That does not match the Victoria address, so I would ignore that line when planning transportation. Use the Johnson Street address and Victoria transit information instead.
Who should book this activity
I would recommend this session to friends who want a shared activity with a little competition. It gives you something to do together, and the team games help keep the mood social rather than overly serious.
It also suits families, with some limits. The minimum age is 10, and anyone under 19 must be accompanied by an adult. That means a younger participant cannot attend alone, and an adult should plan to stay involved throughout the visit.
For a date, axe throwing offers an easy way to avoid a long stretch of formal conversation. You have a clear activity in front of you, coaching to follow, and plenty of chances to celebrate a good throw. The one-hour length also keeps the commitment manageable if the match is part of a first meeting.
I would also consider it for a rainy-day plan, a cold-weather outing, or a group looking for something indoors and active. It is not a quiet cultural stop, and it may not suit someone who dislikes competitive games or handling sports equipment.
Experienced throwers can use the session to practice and try tournament-style games. Still, I would ask about the format if you are looking for serious league training, since the advertised booking is an introductory one-hour session rather than a long practice block.
Practical details that can make or break the visit
The mobile ticket makes entry simple once you reach the front desk. Confirmation is provided at booking, so keep the ticket available on your phone.
Service animals are allowed, and the venue is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the activity involves standing, throwing, and following safety instructions. The minimum age is 10.
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. This is not the place for sandals, flip-flops, or restrictive clothing. You do not need to bring an axe or a target. Both are supplied, as are the taxes and fees included in the price.
The maximum group size is listed as 100 people. That is a large possible capacity, though your own experience will be shaped by the session arrangement and the size of your booking. If you want a particular time, reserve ahead rather than assuming the next hour will have room.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Cancellations and booking changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local Victoria time.
How the experience compares with other Victoria plans
Many Victoria activities depend on clear weather or a particular season. This one does not. You can schedule it during rain, cold, or smoky conditions and still have a structured activity waiting indoors.
It also has a different pace from sightseeing. You are not listening to a long explanation or moving from one display to another. You learn a physical skill, repeat it, and then use it in games. That makes the experience a good change after a morning spent walking or touring.
The trade-off is that you should not expect a major Victoria landmark or a long local history lesson. The value comes from the activity itself and from the coach’s instruction. If your priority is scenery, architecture, or cultural context, this will not replace those plans.
I like the fact that the session has a clear beginning and end. You sign in, practice, learn to score, play games, and try trick throws. The format is simple enough for a visitor to understand without a large time commitment.
Should you book Forged Axe Throwing?
Book it if you want a reasonably priced indoor activity with friendly coaching, simple rules, and a social edge. It is especially well suited to first-timers, families with older children, couples, and groups looking for a break from standard sightseeing.
The strongest reason to choose it is the instruction. You receive help with the basics and different throws, rather than being expected to know what you are doing. The second is flexibility: daily sessions from noon to 8 p.m. make it easy to fit into a Victoria schedule.
Skip it if you want a long sports session, a major sightseeing attraction, or a quiet experience. The hour goes quickly, and serious throwers may want more time than this format provides.
At $23.73 per person, I see it as a good-value one-hour introduction. Reserve ahead, arrive 10 minutes early, wear closed-toe shoes, and treat it as a lively change of pace rather than a full afternoon event.
FAQ
How long does the axe-throwing session last?
The session lasts about one hour. Sessions begin at the top of each hour from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Where does axe throwing take place in Victoria?
The activity begins and ends at Forged Axe Throwing, 586 Johnson St., Victoria, BC V8W 1Z2, Canada.
Do I need previous axe-throwing experience?
No. The host teaches you the basics of throwing, scoring, team games, trick throws, and tournament-style games. Experienced throwers can also use the session to practice.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. Running shoes, boots, and clogs are accepted, but sandals and flip-flops are not.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 10. Anyone under 19 must be accompanied by an adult.
What does the $23.73 price include?
The price includes all targets and axes, taxes, fees, and handling charges. Food and drinks are not included.
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