Distance Measured Event

Best: Farthest Distance

Circles:

§         2m circle. 

§         40m baseline centered in 2m circle.  The baseline is a movable straight line (rope, chain, etc.) that has its middle on the center point.  The 2m circle is cut in half by the baseline.  The end of the baseline is marked on each end with a post.  The baseline should be approximately perpendicular to the wind.  The baseline may be adjusted at the request of the thrower prior to each throw.  The baseline must remain straight at all times during the throw.

Required for score:

§         50m flight range.

§         Legal throw at least one foot touching or within the 2m circle at point of release.

§         Thrower may not cross the baseline at any time while the boomerang is in the air unless permitted to do so by the head line judge.

§         Boomerang must cross the baseline upon return either directly or indirectly (from behind) without being touched or hitting anyone or anything.

§         No catch required.

Scoring:

§         Official score is the thrower’s longest scoring throw.

§         Distance is measured in integer meters only (no centimeters) from the center of the 2m circle to the point in its flight farthest from the center point.

§         Distance may be measured with either a steel measuring tape or laser range finder.  If using laser range finders, one or two may be used.  If using 1 laser range finder, it is to be operated by the head line judge.  If using 2 laser range finders, one laser range finder will be with the head line judge and the other with the head spotter.  If the distances measured are within 1 meter of each other, the distance scored is the distance measured by the head line judge. If the distances measured differ by 2 meters, the average of the 2 measurements will be recorded.  If the distances measured differ by more than 2 meters, the distance will be remeasured until they are within 2 meters of one another or remeasured using a steel measuring tape.

Round:

§         The event includes 1 round of up to 5 throws by each thrower.

§         Throwers may adjust the orientation of the 40 meter baseline and spotters in the field once immediately prior to each of their throws (excluding warm up).  The baseline may not be adjusted while the boomerang is in flight.  The baseline orientation should be approximately perpendicular to the wind direction and should normally not exceed 45 degrees off wind as judged by the head line judge unless approved by a majority of competitors.

§         When the thrower and head line judge are satisfied with the orientation of the 40 meter baseline, and the position of all other officials and spectators (for safety), the head line judge will declare the circle clear and it becomes the next thrower’s turn.  The thrower must throw within a predetermined time limit (not less than 15 seconds) set prior to tournament or forfeit their throw.

§         Each turn is completed by all throwers in the group in rotation before the next turn is started.

§         Throwers in each group make 1 throw per turn – in rotation with other throwers in the group – until all throwers in the group have completed their round.  The next group begins its round.

§         Multiple rounds may be contested. 

Warm Up

§         General warm up may take place prior to each round.  No time limit.

§         Up to 3 practice throws may be made immediately prior to each group’s[ round.

§         No practice throws for a thrower after their group’s round has begun.

Re-throws

§         Re-throws are made at the end of the event for the thrower’s group.

Officials:

§         May be competitors.

§         1 head line judge.

§         1 head spotter.

§         2 pole judges.

§         6 range stewards.

Notes:

 Safety

§         Ensure all spectators are at a sufficiently safe distance.

§         All spotters are watching when the boomerang is thrown and warn others if necessary.

§         All spotters are standing while the boomerang is in flight.

§         Only one long distance boomerang in the air at a time.

§         No throwing when a thrower is retrieving a boomerang.

Range Spotter Placement

There are a number of range spotters on the field to determine the point of return (furthest point of the boomerang's flight path). You have to be aware that if the boomerang is more or less flying over you, it is difficult for you to judge where the projected path on the ground actually is. Only by spotting from a distance off to the side are you able to determine the apex of the flight path accurately. Therefore, we suggest placing a row of range spotters to the left and right of the expected throwing corridor with a 20-meter distance between the range spotters within one row. You can also align the 2 rows in a staggered manner to get a better coverage. The range spotters should be spread such that all throws, including the shortest and furthest ones, can be precisely spotted. Send the furthest range spotter sufficiently far out, as there may always be "lucky" throws. One of the head spotter’s duties is to ensure that the range spotters are distributed correctly.

Don't use more range spotters than necessary to do the task, because with too many range spotters on the field they tend to walk about and have chats! 6 range spotters plus 1 head spotter is the minimum. 12 should be enough in all cases.

Range Spotter Duties

Follow the boomerang on its way out with your extended arm and stop when you think it reached its furthest point. Then project that point down onto the ground by lowering your arm vertically. Fix the point on the ground with your eyes and direct the head spotter to that point. At least 1 other range spotter will do the same, so the head spotter will have to position himself such that the closest 2 - 4 range spotters are happy with the result. Often, there is a little conversation about the furthest point, but that's the interesting part of spotting: talk until there is an agreement! The range spotters that could not see the apex of the flight path perfectly should not interfere! The maximum distance of the boomerang is now defined as the distance from the head spotter to the center of the throwing circle. If you have a Laser Rangefinder (for example, a Bushnell) you can measure the distance immediately, otherwise you have to place a marker in the ground and measure the distance at the end of the round with a steel tape. 

Estimated accuracy of the measurement with this spotting method:

2m in the best case, 5m average, and worse if the range spotters are not placed very well or if they are not paying attention. Helpful idea: distribute thin wooden sticks (about 2m long) to the range spotters, with the help of which it is much easier to follow the flying boomerang to its furthest point and then drop them to the ground.