Boomerangs aren’t just for Australia anymore.
Snohomish County, Washington is set to host the 2018 U.S. Boomerang National Championships at Lake Stevens Community Park in Lake Stevens, Washington. It’s the first time in 10 years a major tournament will be held in the Evergreen State. It will be held June 22-24.
“Believe it or not, Washington is one of the most popular places in the country for boomerangs,” said United States Boomerang Team marketing manager Jami Kinton. “Some of our best throwers hail from Seattle and any opportunity we have to visit is really special.”
In the past, Seattle has welcomed two U.S. Championships (1992, 2002) and even the 2008 World Boomerang Cup.
“Boomerang tournaments are something you really have to see to believe,” Kinton said. “These guys just aren’t standing in one spot throwing and catching. They’re running, leaping, diving, and catching booms behind the back, under their legs, with their feet. It’s really exciting to watch.”
Three-time national champion Richard Bower, a Seattle native, said for locals interested in the sport, this year’s tournament would be great to attend.
“With a large part of our thrower base being from Seattle, we really want to encourage people to come out to watch and learn how to throw from the best,” he said. “In the summer, we’re out throwing once or twice a week, and we definitely hope that they’ll then follow up with us after the tournament and hopefully get more involved in the sport.”
The annual tournament features six events: Maximum Time Aloft, Trick Catch, Australian Round, Fast Catch, Endurance and Accuracy. The tournament is free and open to the public.
In addition to the U.S. Boomerang Nationals, the community is invited to learn to throw a boomerang and watch the U.S. Team practice.
“This year’s nationals will be neat to see,” said five-time nationals winner Dan Bower, twin brother and teammate of Richard Bower. “We expect a great turnout of experienced and novice boomerang throwers. The U.S. team will likely all be in attendance to get in on the action just a month before the 2018 World Boomerang Cup, which will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We welcome any to come ask questions and watch the different competition events. We can’t wait to see you there.”
