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        DAN BOWER WINS the 2007 US     NATIONALS BOOMERANG TOURNAMENT

It seems so inevitable now but at the time no one knew what the result would be. Boomerang competitions are very demanding with 6 different events to master and one errant throw or dropped catch potentially knocking a contender out of the top spot. This was the 2007 US Nationals with competitors from all over the USA and Europe. Would it be Matt Golenor again, the past US Champion and president of the USBA. Would it be “Hole in the Head Gang” buddy Billy Brazelton who dominated on the first day by winning the first 2 events or constant rival and twin brother Richard Bower. “Local Dan” Johnson took second overall with a very strong Trick Catch and strong finish but at the end, no one was even close. 

Dan Bower has been rising fast in the Boomerang scene as the 2002 Junior National Champion with consistent dominance until the summer of 2004, when he finished 2nd to his brother Richard at the 18th annual Western Oregon Boomerang Roundup and the Seattle Fall Open. Daniel was a member of the 2004 US World Championships Boomerang Team and threw for US Squad #1 "Gel's Angels". He once again earned a spot on the US team for the 2006 World Championships in Japan, thanks to being undefeated in all 4 tournaments attended during the 2005 season.  With continued success in 2006 and 2007 including a 1st place tie with brother Richard in the prestigious SCORE beach tournament,  Dan finished off 2007 by blowing away the competition on the final day at the US Nationals.

How did this happen? How could one guy be so consistent and reach such a high level of performance in a difficult field where one dropped catch can cost the entire tournament. What does he have that others strive for? Could it be the physical attributes of 6’ 2” height with long arms and huge hands. Could it be the limber body for the contortionist catches necessary in the Trick Catch event, bane of many throwers on the tournament scene. Could it be the constant focus or the determination revealed only in crucial moments when that winning throw or catch is most necessary. Even a casual observer can see that Dan Bower has the attributes of a champion and that the future looks bright for the US boomerang scene for many years to come.

The 2007 US Nationals will be remembered for the quiet excellence and cerebral adjustments of Matt Golenor as time stopped with each throw. It will be remembered for the continued excellence and surprise victory of senior Stu Jones in the Fast Catch event.  It will be remembered for the 140 foot LD throw of Tom Wythes and his consistent dominance of that event throughout the day. It will be remembered for Billy Brazelton’s fast start putting the pressure on all competitors from the first event onward. It will be remembered for some great MTA throws and human highlight reel performances from Logan Broadbent but it will be remembered most as the year Dan Bower and the Young Dudes took over with a giant ambush at the Eau Claire corral. Dan Bower led the way but Dan Johnson put in a strong performance as did fellow dudes Billy Brazelton and Logan Broadbent with 2 time past champion Matt Golenor the only one hanging on to a podium position from his generation.  The baton has been passed and the future is now for the brash young dudes of 2008.  

Billed as a fun warm up to 2008 Team trials, the National Beach Boomerang Championships became an All Star event complete with magical comebacks, exciting new rookies and some solid throwing from US team contenders. Adam Ruhf broke Dan Bower’s run of winning 6 tournaments in a row with a solid comeback from a serious leg injury. After Finishing 2nd in the world in 1998, and being absent from the tour for several years with an injury, Mr. Ruhf proved consistent in every event against very tough competition. The current world record holder in Fast Catch with 5 catches in 14.6 seconds, Adam pulled a tough draw with a preliminary match against 2 time US champ Matt Golnor. Even with a 19.5 second Fast Catch Boomerang score he took a loss there to Matt who used excellent circle management to pull off a win. It was a continuing theme through the rest of the tournament with Golenor / Ruhf match ups in event after event with Adam taking the overall lead.

Brothers Dan and Richard Bower put in a consistent performance also with Dan Bower winning Trick Catch and Richard Bower winning Fast Catch and placing 2 and 3 in overall. This was the first tournament Dan Bower has lost in several years and the general feeling is that he doesn’t like to lose so watch out at the Austin Team Trials before the World Championships in Seattle!

Consistent Steve Kavanaugh reached the finals in the first 2 events and was looking good for a victory until a disastrous Aussie Round knocking him off the podium in the final event. Steve K, the only 3 time World Glorp champion, is known for solid performances in every tournament but the Head to Head tournament format made such upsets possible. Being matched Head to Head against the top throwers in the country provided provided a lot of suspense to the very end of the tournament.

The 2008 US Beach Boomerang Championships was unmatched in one very important category in comparison to other tournaments. There were something on the order of 500 bikini clad spectators, beach goers and passers by taking in the sun and fun with us at Hermosa Beach, CA. Special thanks to tournament director Morri Mohr for a spectacular, fun filled event for everyone involved.

The National Beach Boomerang Championships were held this year in Hermosa Beach, CA. on March 22 & 23. Shown above is Casey Larrance making an MTA ( Maximum Time Aloft ) boomerang catch. This year’s beach championships were won by Adam Ruhf with 2nd place to Dan Bower and 3rd to Richard Bower.