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.

害羞草研究所淵ou 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,害羞草研究所� said Kolomyja, 45.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 crazy because I always look back on it a little bit and think axe throwing probably just saved my life.害羞草研究所�

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害羞草研究所檛 found any ancient axe heads.

害羞草研究所淚 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.害羞草研究所�

The couple first started throwing axes and knives at a friend害羞草研究所檚 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害羞草研究所檚 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.

害羞草研究所淵ou get that release out of it. If you害羞草研究所檝e been having a bad day, and you think, 害羞草研究所楪od, I just want to throw something at a wall,害羞草研究所� there it is,害羞草研究所� 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害羞草研究所檚 getting the axe to stick, or sinking the blade into the target.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 actually not as tough as people might think,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淪ticking it is just so satisfying and cathartic 害羞草研究所� it害羞草研究所檚 a Zen thing, where you kind of get into that repetition, over and over. It害羞草研究所檚 amazing.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 an interesting industry where it害羞草研究所檚 exploding in the last few years,害羞草研究所� said Kendra Kolomyja.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 sort of the new bowling at the moment, where people are just discovering that everybody wants to throw an axe 害羞草研究所� you maybe just didn害羞草研究所檛 know that you did.害羞草研究所�