The boomerang is probably one of Australia's most well-known symbols. Today, boomerang throwing is mainly a fun outdoor sport that combines technique, movement, and enjoyment. At Australian Treasures, you'll find an extensive collection of boomerangs: from beautifully painted wooden models to sporty boomerangs specifically designed for a good return.
But which boomerang should you choose? And perhaps even more importantly: how do you throw a boomerang so that it comes back? In this article, we'll tell you more about our collection and provide practical tips for learning to throw a boomerang yourself.
Wooden Boomerangs from Australian Treasures
A significant part of our collection consists of our own Australian Treasures boomerangs. These are made from various types of wood, including albassia, teak, and mahogany.
They are available in different sizes, including:
- 30 cm – a compact and light model
- 40 cm – a nice medium size
- 50 cm – a larger and striking boomerang
Many of our wooden boomerangs are hand-painted. You'll find colorful patterns, dot-painting-like decorations, and typical Australian-inspired images.
This makes these boomerangs not only fun to throw. They can also be excellently used as a decorative ornament on the wall or in the home. Especially the larger hand-painted models are real eye-catchers.
Small Boomerangs of 30 cm
The smaller boomerangs of about 30 cm are often an attractive choice for children due to their compact size. They are easier to hold and less large and heavy than the 40 or 50 cm models.
However, boomerang throwing remains a throwing sport. Therefore, always use a boomerang outdoors in a spacious, open area and, for children, under adult supervision.
For adults and those with more experience, the larger wooden models of 40 and 50 cm may be interesting.
How to Throw a Boomerang?
Making a boomerang fly well and return takes practice. So, don't expect every boomerang to return neatly to your feet on the first throw.
With the right technique, however, it becomes progressively easier.
1. Pay attention to the wind
The wind plays an important role in a boomerang's flight. Don't just throw straight with the wind. First, find out where the wind is coming from and adjust your throwing direction accordingly.
A light wind is ideal for practice. In strong or gusty winds, it's better to wait for a calmer moment.
2. Hold the boomerang between thumb and forefinger
Grip the boomerang at one of its ends, usually between your thumb and forefinger. Make sure you have sufficient grip, but don't squeeze unnecessarily hard.
With a traditional two-bladed wooden boomerang, the position is also important. Hold the boomerang largely upright, with a slight tilt.
3. Keep the ends facing forward
With our traditional wooden boomerangs, it is important that the two ends are pointed as much forward as possible during the throw.
So, do not throw the boomerang horizontally as you would a frisbee. A boomerang is thrown much more upright.
4. Release the boomerang on time
A common mistake is releasing the boomerang too late. This can cause it to fly too low or even towards the ground.
Try to release the boomerang in time during the forward motion, while its ends are still pointing well forward.
5. Give the boomerang enough spin
Not only the power of the throw is important. A boomerang mainly needs rotation.
A good wrist movement upon release ensures that the boomerang spins rapidly around its axis. It is precisely this spin that helps the boomerang make its characteristic curved flight.
Practice, practice, and more practice
Boomerang throwing sometimes looks easier than it is. The first throws will probably not be perfect. The boomerang might fly too low, too far, or land somewhere else than you expected.
That's part of it.
Try to make small adjustments in:
- the angle at which you throw;
- the moment you release;
- the amount of rotation;
- the power of the throw;
- your position relative to the wind.
Over time, you'll develop a better feel for the boomerang's flight. And when your boomerang makes a beautiful round flight for the first time and returns to you, you'll know why boomerang throwing can be so much fun.
Three and four-bladed boomerangs
In addition to traditional two-bladed wooden boomerangs, there are also three-bladed and four-bladed boomerangs.
These models are often easier for many beginners to control. Due to their shape, they can make a stable, relatively compact flight and return more easily. Depending on the model, wind, and throw, the flight can even make a peculiar loop or a kind of figure-8 shape.
Therefore, a three or four-bladed boomerang can be a good choice if you primarily want to learn how to make a boomerang return.
BoomerangFan Boomerangs
In addition to our own Australian Treasures boomerangs, we also have boomerangs from BoomerangFan in our assortment.
These models are more focused on the actual practice of the throwing sport. They come with throwing instructions, so you can see how the specific model can best be held and thrown.
Some BoomerangFan boomerangs are made of wood and other models are made of plastic. They are generally somewhat more expensive than our own Australian Treasures boomerangs but can be interesting for people who want to delve deeper into boomerang throwing.
Boomerang as Decoration
Of course, you don't necessarily have to throw a boomerang.
Especially our hand-painted wooden boomerangs are also beautiful as decoration. The combination of natural wood and colorful, Australian-inspired paintings allows you to hang them in a living room, study, children's room, or man cave, for example.
A large wooden boomerang of 40 or 50 cm can thus become a particularly decorative object.
Which boomerang suits you?
Do you primarily want a beautiful, affordable wooden boomerang or are you looking for an Australian-inspired gift? Then take a look at our own Australian Treasures boomerangs of 30, 40, and 50 cm.
Do you want to seriously practice boomerang throwing and is it especially important for you to learn how to make the boomerang return? Then also look at our sporty models and the boomerangs from BoomerangFan.
Whichever boomerang you choose: give yourself some time to master the technique. Find a large open field, choose a day with not too much wind, and keep practicing.
View the complete boomerang collection of Australian Treasures and choose the model that suits you.