Austrailian Beach Boomerang

Each of these authentic boomerangs is hand painted and depicts a beautiful Austrailian beach scene. Since each boomerang is hand painted the boomerang you order will look slightly different from the one shown.

This is a classic returning boomerang, which means it travels in an elliptical path and returns to its point of origin when thrown correctly.

Throwing Technique

A right-handed boomerang is thrown with an counter-clockwise spin causing a counter-clockwise flight (as seen from above). Conversely, a left-handed boomerang is constructed as a mirror image with the aerofoils' leading edges on the left side of the wings, as seen from above, causing it to produce lift when circling clockwise. Although appearing symmetrical from a plan view, the leading edges are on opposite edges of the wings (leading and trailing) so as to present the leading edges of the aerofoil to the wind when spinning.

Most sport boomerangs are in the range of about 2.5 to 4 ounces . The range on most is between 25 and 40 yards/metres. To throw, use treeless, large open spaces that are twice as large as the range of the boomerang. A right- or left-handed boomerang can be thrown with either hand, but the flight direction will depend upon the boomerang, not the thrower. Throwing a boomerang with the wrong hand requires a throwing motion that many throwers may find awkward.

For right-handed boomerangs, first establish the wind and launch direction by first facing into the wind, slowly turning your head left to right. When your temples feel equally cool on both sides of your head then you will be facing directly into the wind. Now, for the launch direction, turn between thirty to seventy degrees clockwise to your right, depending on wind speed (turn further for stronger winds).

Stand sideways with feet-apart, left foot forward, so as to point in the direction of flight. Hold the right (or left) wing tip, flat side down, using the thumb on top and one to three fingers below. Tilt the boomerang upright at a ten to thirty degree angle from vertical. Cock the boomerang back so that the central bend touches your forearm to allow adequate spin. Aim, by pointing with your left arm, at, or just above, the horizon.

Sharply step forward with the left foot, following through with your right arm and leg as you launch the boomerang in a similar way to throwing a spear or ball. Launch crisply using a whip-like flick with your index finger, at the end of the throw, so as to cause counter-clockwise spin (seen from above). The strength of throw and spin must be varied according to the speed of the wind ??” the stronger the wind, the less power is required to provide lift enough to make the return journey. In other words, the stronger the wind, the softer you throw.

The boomerang initially should curve around to the left, climb gently, level out in mid-flight, arc around and descend slowly, and then finish by popping up slightly, hovering, then stalling near the thrower. Ideally, it should hover momentarily, to allow the catcher to clamp their hands shut decisively and firmly on the horizontal boomerang from above and below, sandwiching the centre between the catcher's hands. In other words, avoid painful wing strikes to the hand by not sticking fingers directly into the edge of the fast-spinning wing rotor.

Boomerangs shouldn't be thrown level like a flying disc, as it will turn upwards abruptly in the direction of the top of its aerofoils, so if that direction happens to be up rather than to the side it may soar up so high and quickly down again so that the subsequent landing may cause damage to the boomerang and/or whatever it might land on!

Always stay safe by ensuring that your throwing space is empty of people and other obstructions to avoid injury and damage.

Wind speed and direction are very important for a successful throw. A right-handed boomerang is thrown with the wind on one's left cheek. The angle to the wind depends on the boomerang, but starting with a 45 degree angle is recommended. Depending on where the boomerang lands, this angle can be modified so that a closer return is achieved. For example, if the boomerang lands too far on the left, turn to throw more to the right of the wind the next time. If the return goes over one's head, then throw softer. If it falls short, then throw harder. As for the wind speed, a light wind of three to five miles an hour is ideal. If the wind is strong enough to fly a kite, then that's usually too strong for boomerangs.

Throwers can modify various actions to achieve a closer return according to the conditions; the throw angle to the wind, the tilt, the power, the spin, and the inclination can be adjusted to vary the return point so the catch point can be perfected. Facing into the wind, then turning the head slightly to either side to check for the cooling effect, allows one to assess the wind direction, and thus the throwing direction, more accurately. For consistency, return to the same throw point and then use a background target object on the horizon to throw in the same direction relative to the wind each time.