FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BOOMERANGS
[You can download a .PDF file of
our brochure, an attractive
six page introduction to the USBA and the sport of boomerangs.]
How do you compete
in boomerangs?
There are individual and team
tournaments. Players compete in advanced, intermediate or novice
divisions. Boomerang skills are tested in four main ways: accuracy,
distance, speed, and trick catching. More information about boomerang competition.
Why does a boomerang
come back?
Although stone age people invented
the boomerang, its aerodynamics are still not completely understood
by today's scientists. Boomerangs return as a result of the combined
principles of aerodynamic lift and gyroscopic precession. Want to
know more? More information.
Were boomerangs
used for hunting?
No. Returning boomerangs aren't
heavy enough to kill anything bigger than a large insect. In Australia,
where the returning boomerang probably originated, boomerangs may
have been used as decoys to mimic birds of prey, tricking a flock
of ducks into the waiting nets of the hunters. More
information on
boomerang history.
Where can I buy
a good boomerang?
Boomerangs that really work
are hard to find. This is changing due to the growing number of
national distributors. But try a specialty kite store. Before you
buy any boomerang, be sure to check if the manufacturer is a USBA member. That's a sure sign
that you are buying a real boomerang that really comes back.
How can I make
a good boomerang?
First, learn how to throw
a boomerang that you know works. Then, copy it. Still got the crafting
bug? Good. Go here or tips on techniques, materials &
plans.