boomerang above clouds
German version

How to use them

boomerang catch
Throwing instructions
- advice for beginner
- tips for the competitor
- how to throw distance
- how to boom in winds
- how to throw Fast Catch
- how to tune MTA
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More >

Collector's Items

Here's where you find some rare boomerangs by other famous makers (Al Gerhards, Herb Smith, Didier Bonin, Eric Darnell, yours truly, and more) along with some prototypes of my own designs, peak-performers and keepers out of my own throwing kit, one-off's, the first and record-setting Challenger 3-model and exquisite airbrush rangs that might make the perfect gift for your boomerang buddy (or yourself..). More

WELCOME TO BLUE STAR RANGS-THE HOME OF BOOMERANG TECHNOLOGY
Celebrating 25 YEARS of making competition boomerangs!

For over 25 years it's been my goal: to make the world a better boomerang place

SHOP CLOSING NOTICE - no more orders!..

Blue Star shop is now closed . Ted Bailey is still and will be will carrying what is left of my current production line plus my boom collection.

THANKS to each one of you for supporting my business over the years!!

Herb Smith- Volker Behrens Commemorative Set Limited Smith/ Behrens G12 Set
For this very special occasion I am releasing a set of 3 of the best boomerangs I have ever made : 26 years after meeting "the man" Herb A. Smith - my friend, mentor and biggest inspiration- in person for the very first time, and never forgetting that day- I have decided to offer a set of 2 of his best and one of mine: the Sussexd Hook in G 12, the Mini Marathon in G12 and the Windeater in G 12. Each set will be in matching colours, signed and numbered - and, if you're early, you get the opportunity to choose your special colours for these too!
These are exactly the 3 rangs I would give to a dear friend on a special occasion- they are probably the best performers and yet the most enjoyable rangs I have made.
Each one of these is hand signed and numbered, and the edition is limited to 5 sets only! MORE >

What you find on this site:
- the best boomerangs for throwers of any level
- Instructions for all kinds of boomerangs and sports events
- Instructions for tuning your boomerangs for better performance

throwing boomerangs

Hardware - the catalogue
Beginner boomerangs: light and accurate boomerangs, easy to throw and catch, for learning the sport at any age - More
advanced boomerangs:composite boomerangs, for more range, wind stability and FUN - More
competition boomerangs:composite boomerangs,high tech materials and air foils for top level performance - More

fast catch boomerangs
tuning boomerangs

Software
- throwing instructions:basic throwing and safety instrucrtions, to get you started- More

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tuning instructions : tipps and techniques to increase performance of your rangs and adjust them to your throwing style- More
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instructions for competitions boomerangs and events: Fast Catch, MTA,long distance or wind throwing- here is where you find it all you need for the sport of boomeranging- More

I have three groups of throwers in mind when I make and design boomerangs:
1. the competitor - get you better scores
2. the ambitious new guy who has tasted blood - double the fun
3. the beginner - get you started right

volker catching boomerang

For each of these groups I offer a wide variety of boomerang models made from plywood, hardwoods, technical composites- in hopes to make you a happy thrower- whichever level you are on. If you browse through my catalogue you feel you may need some advice, don't hesitate to mail me - that's what I'm here for.

Which boomerang should I buy? A guide to using the catalogue
When you're through browsing the catalogue, you'll probably ask yourself: which is the right boomerang for you? And which type of Windeaters etc. And there is more to this than just numbers. Each boomerang model is different, either in its airfoil, material thickness or wing ratio. For example, taking one of the many Windeater variations: the properties of the boomerang do not only depend on the shape, but also the shaping (airfoil/ profile) and material . The Windeater 2 in 3mm paxolin may have a similar aerofoil, weight, and an almost identical shape (outline) as the Windeater 2 from G12, BUT the latter is 30% thinner - which makes it spin faster (i.e. it cuts through wind better while offering less airfoil thickness to get caught on) - and travel appr. 20-30% further WITHOUT extra weights on it(see the tuning section for more information on this).

As a general guide - and to help you find your way through this boomerang maze I have put together a table indicating the main qualities for each boomerang ( 1 -5 star scores per category), such as:

- throwing skill - what does it take to master this model?
- pleasure index -
how much fun does it give me?
- competition potential -
how much potential in tournament?
- wind tolerance -
how much wind can it handle?
- accuracy -
how accurate is the return?
- forgivness to throwing mistakes
- how much do I get away with while learning?

throwing skill pleasure index competition wind tolerance accuracy forgiving factor
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  volker throwing boomerang  

Paxolin vs. G12- technical information

You may get a little overwhelmed by the varieties of model variations you find here, probably not knowing what "Paxolin" and "G12" are in the first place.

Paxolin- or phenolioc resin- is the material Herb Smith first introduced to boomeranging as far back as 1986. Specific weight and density seemed superior to plywood at the time, toughness being an extra benefit. Pax' is material of choice for winds and for longer range boomeranngs. It is not too expensive, easy to flex-tune. The sole downside being that it tends to get brittle in low temperatures and consequently break more easily- so when you throw or tune a pax boomerang in Winter- be very careful!

G 12 epoxy laminate is an epoxy composite based on fiber glass. It is appr. 30% heavier than Paxolin, a lot more expensive, very hard on tools - and much harder on the lungs. The upside being that is is virtually unbreakable, hard to beat in wind- and never to pass in longer distance. Being thinner at the same size a G12 rang will cut through wind better, spin much better (so your throw gets a lot easier), go further (due to less lift)- BUT: it will need more wind for a complete return. There is not a G 12 model in my catalogue that works in calm conditions.

Bottom line for all boomerangs in this section:
advantages: G 12 variations have 25-50% more range than Paxolin versions of the same model, they are easier to get to spin, they fight the wind better and they are unbreakable.
disadvantages: G 12 models need more wind for a full return, the throwing window (tolerance) is smaller than for Paxolin, and they are more expensive.

I hope this helps find your way to the boomerang that will best suit your needs!

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I have just put together a BOOMERANG BUYING GUIDE FOR YOU in order to help you find your way throw the maze of all these pages...

Another common question: "I have never thrown long distance before, and I want a Challenger 3, because I heard it's great." Well, this may be true- but the throwing technique required for this boomerang doesn't have much in common with the way you throw a "normal" boomerang. This boomerang needs to be tilted much further out, to make it come back at all - not to mention the extra wrist and arm power required to put sufficient spin on it (see also Power throwing)So, in this case, I'd recommend a Straight Shooter, for example, it's much more forgiving and easier to handle.

A new and complete throwing instruction sheet for the beginner thrower can be found here- generously provided my World class thrower and boom artist Michael Girvin from California.

So, any questions concerning my range of boomerangs -
- what to get
- how to throw
- tuning -
- don't hesitate to email me. I'll be glad to help you out best as I can.

Ultimate Throwing
(Tune, twist, add weight)

stroboscope boomerang throw Find detailed instructions on how to throw specific competition boomerangs, like long distance and MTA, and also how to prepare them properly before throwing. Also, there's a good section on optimising your boomerang to suit your throwing style - and for achieving peak performance.

History and boomerang Gods- Herb Smith special!

Herb Smith special
I have made scans of the special Boomerang News issue #12, which was written and published by Ted Bailey- the most valuable source for boom info in this World- in 1995, after my great inspiration, friend and teacher Herb A. Smith from Sussex, England passed on. People keep asking for information about the man who changed boomerangs forever - and this is a big piece of it, historical and personal too. More >

Zen and Boomerangs

Zen and boomerangs: is there a connection?
What do boomerangs have in common with Zen philosophy? How can you get more fun out of your hobby? What's the major connection between your breakfast eggs and the bacon? Have a browse and find the answers to these and other important questions ...


Boomerang Links
Links to other boomerang related sites: get essential info on anything and everything boomeranging.

copyright 2007 BlueStarRangs - last updated: Nov 29, 2011