Hatcher Boomerangs

Boomerangs... Oh Come On...Really?

Most people haven't had much luck with boomerangs. the market is polluted with novelty items that simply look like the stereotype boomerang but have no physics to back the thing up.

In the late 70s and 80's there was a movement of crafters and enthusiasts that fueled new technologies in boomerang design. These advances in design allowed for a forgiving, and performance oriented boomerang.

In 1984 in my early 20s, with the help of some of these pioneers, I learned to make and throw boomerangs.

After some initial failed attempts I was finally surprised when one came back and I was rewarded with my first catch. From then on I was obsessed with a new lifelong love & addiction. It was the kind of passion that makes you look crazy to everyone around you.

The majestic and entrancing flight of the boomerang is packed with more physics than a helicopter or a 747 in flight.

But I’ll spare you (for now) the scientific stuff.

And who really cares. Boomerangs are magical. Why spoil the fun with the facts.

They are a fun, mindful, meditative and challenging way to get your much needed exercise in your busy stressful life.

I welcome you to pick up a magic stick and begin your boomerang journey. I am here to help, and only a phone call away.

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Need to Know

If you watch closely:

A boomerang flight has three distinct elements to its movement.

· 1. The most obvious is its homeward turn

· 2. Most important to control, is its twist or lie down

· 3. Third is the slight spin decay or in some cases, spin retention.

The twist or lie down is the most important and difficult for the beginner to control and understand.

You control twist/ lie down by adjusting your overhand or side arm release. This adjusts the initial lean of the boomerang when it leaves the hand.

The overhand throw results in a vertical orientation and a level flight sometimes with a dip in the middle of the flight followed by a slight climb.

A side arm release and throw results in a horizontal orientation with an initial sometimes dramatic climb followed by a sometimes dangerous, diving trajectory towards the thrower. Dont do this.

The finesse in controlling proper layover is the most important element in your successful throw. Much like a frisbee being flown perfectly flat in order to make a straight flight.

Technique

Nice round level flight

Your looking for a round level flight with a slight climb two thirds around the flight.

Throwing the boomerang with an overhand throw with a vertically oriented release and a straight out trajectory will accomplish just that.

Throwing the boomerang side arm will result in a dramatic initial climb that I see so often in most people’s first few flights. Please avoid a side arm throw!!

Once you figure this part out you cross into the small fraternity or even smaller sorority (if that applies) of people who can throw and catch boomerangs.

I recommend throwing my indoor Roomerangs until you understand the flight and then go throw my sport boomerangs outdoors in wind less than 5 to 7 miles per hour.

If you can fly a kite, then fly a kite instead. They are fun too.

After you get the hang of it you can throw boomerangs in wind up to 10+ miles per hour with adjusted techniques and boomerang modifications (i.e. pennies, tape, rubber bands).

Welcome to Hatcher Boomerangs by Geoff