Boomerang Fitness  

About two years ago I found a boomerang toy that I had bought for my kids called an Aerobie Orbiter.  This little plastic triangular device costs about $8.00 to buy and I spent at least twice that much on Motrin and pain creams learning to properly use it.  The strange thing is that the first time I threw it and it actually came back to me I was hooked.

Since then I've learned a lot more about the sport of throwing boomerangs and although I still have the little orbiter in my bag, my collection of boomerangs has grown to include various models for different distances and wind conditions.

This summer while teaching several clients as well as my daughters Dory and Mikaela how to throw I discovered what a great workout boomerang throwing can be.  A bad throw of course requires you to go and retrieve your device but on a good throw, once the boomerang leaves your hands the thrower is making constant adjustments to body position in order to achieve the catch.  If you've ever seen someone throwing a boomerang you would see that they look very similar to a volleyball player adjusting for an oncoming ball.

Every time I've taught someone how to throw my students are amazed at how much physical work is involved and once they get the hang of it, how much fun it can be.  Throwers use the term "Bull's Eye" for a throw so perfect that the boomerang can be caught without making a single adjustment.  They don't happen all the time, but like bowling a strike or surfing a tube, a bull's eye is what keeps us coming back again and again.

Now I take my boomerangs with me wherever I go and any open field or park with few trees becomes a place to get some exercise and fresh air.  When I pick the kids up at school they just have to look for the flying boomerangs to know where I'm parked.  I even have a foam tri-blade boomerang that I can throw indoors if I'm early to one of my classes.

A few suggestions are to start with a polymer boomerang.  These are inexpensive, very hard to break and are good to learn with.  In my opinion the easiest one to throw is the El Tigre.  It has a 30M range and a nice easy hover.  The proper way to throw is overhand and at about forty five degrees to the wind.   Basically if the wind is coming in at twelve O'clock, you should be facing three O'clock.  You can click HERE to download a one page throwing guide or go to Boomerang TV for more demos and information.

Lastly, I've found that it's a lot easier to learn to throw if you have someone to teach you.  Teaching myself required a lot of trial and error and it took weeks to get the boomerang to come back to me.  When I taught Dory and Kaela they each got a bulls eye on their first day.  So starting this spring I'll be conducting various half day seminars where participants will not only learn how to throw but will go home with a boomerang as well.  If you're interested just send me an e-mail and I'll keep you in the loop.

Until my next article, stay fit of body, mind and soul.