BoomerangExpo.com

Throwers who caught their boom in "Ben Ruhe Has a Posse":
Stu, Billy, Bruce, Richard, Eric, Don, Harald, James, Tom, Stevie, Joe, Morri, Randy, Nick.  Will, Betsylew and Juice did not throw.

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Will, Betsylew, Juice;

Tom, Richard, Stephanie, Zoe, Carly, Bruce;

Stu, Harald, Dan, James, Nick, Don;

Joe, Bob, Pat, Morri, Dan;

David, Eric, Stevie, Billy, Randy, Tibor

We had dozens of gorgeous boomerangs entered into the aesthetics competition. Thanks to all who entered, and an extra thanks to all those who donated their entries to the USBA auction. These are the top 3 boomerangs from each category:

We apologize for the low quality of some of the photos. For some of these we had to crop them from the larger group shot.

To see previous years' winners, click here.

Here are some of the coolest things I saw (or heard about) during the tournament. Feel free to add your own by clicking "Add new comment".

• Carly Parkins from the Intermediate division beating everyone in Accuracy.
• David Hirsch throwing an old-school 70-meter hook to take first place in Intermediate Aussie Round. He was also 9th over all with that performance.
• Daniel Bower having an MTA fly all the way over I-30 wasn't very cool, but him driving over there later and actually finding it lying in a soft grassy area sure was.
• Me getting a personal-best 42 second flight with an MTA that the Bower brothers made in my garage just a couple of nights earlier. In interest of full disclosure: I didn't make the catch, but MAN it was cool to see something I threw fly for that long!
• Ace Armstrong doing a flying/sliding foot-catch that is already the stuff of legend. More people than could possibly have seen it made sure to tell me about it. Sure wish I'd seen it in person!
• David Fantone nearly sweeping the aesthetics awards. He made the awesome trophies and almost got all three of them shipped back to himself. David Hirsch and I won one of those trophies each by the narrowest of margins -- Hirsch: Design, Armstrong: Craftsmanship. David Fantone did win the Decoration category, and got 2nd and/or 3rd in the other categories.
• Pat Steigman's live workshop. When it was realized we didn't have many lefties for demo purposes, he quickly whipped up a couple. Another note: I was actually working on some Texas Longhorn boomerangs for the prize table and the USBA auction only hours before they needed to be done.
• Tom Wythes guessing that the silhouette in the t-shirt design was actually Stu Jones. Tom said he recognized Stu's calves.
• Tuscon Don playing his theramin at the awards banquet.
• Finally, all the help we got during pre-tourney setup (caution tape, painting circles) and setup and cleanup each day. Thanks, Pat, Bob, Stu, Joe, Don, Richard, Daniel, Juice, and anyone else I'm leaving out. We literally couldn't have done it without you.

2008 USBA Nationals combined with Texas LD Shoot-Out

LD Finish order with best score:

1. Joe Rader 124m
2. Tibor Horvath 123m
3. Tom Wythes 120m
4. Richard Bower 119m
5. Randy Kirk 110m
6. Daniel Bower 109m
7. David Hirsch 104m
8. Bruce Armstrong 102m
9. Pat Steigman 100m
10. Morri Mohr 98m
11. Don Monroe 95m (Tie)
11. Rob Stewart 95m (Tie)
12. Roy Dempsey 93m
13. Bob Rudy 85m
14. Stuart Jones 82m (Tie)
14. Dennis Joyce 82m (Tie)
15. Dan Heflinger 67m

Just a reminder to bring something boomerang related for the prize
table. We want good booms to get into the hands that need them.
Besides, it's just another way that we in our sport help our
competitors, especially the up-and-coming. Truly surprising to those
outside of the boomerang community.

Also, after the prize table, don't forget the auction... something
boomerang related to raise money for the USBA. I'll have one thing
particularly fun for this...

For anyone arriving early, you don’t need permission to get on the field and throw.  For LD, be sure you’re in the LD area.  See map on the site.  For other events, the Individuals area is fine, just watch for people.

As far as Texas and Dallas, let me just say that I’m a Native... a true native.  Born in one of the old line hospitals, raised here, went to school here and lived here all my life.  So I know the place pretty well.

Detailed driving directions from the field to the hotel and back.  (See attached map, “Marriott area”)

When I searched for the hotel to use for the Nationals, I wanted something that was close to the field and easy in, easy out.  The Marriott fits the bill, but there are a few things to know.

If you would like to order a Subway boxed lunch for Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, please do the following: