Nils:
Favourite events in 2025 (April)
I have been practicing FC and Endurance a lot, with as goal to break 70+ this year and sub 15 in FC. I transitioned to a full hand grip style.
For MTA I have been tuning most of my best MTA’s for an overly negative throw, however I don’t practice it a lot since it is already my strongest event.
A lot practice in TC with as aim to get closer to 90 in comp this year.
Aussie round got more practice.
- FC
- MTA
- LD
- END
- TC
- AR
- ACC
Competition goals 2025
FC: Sub 17 (PB in comp: 20.18)
END: 60+ (PB in comp: 38)
MTA: 53+sec or (75+ in unlimited) (PB in Comp 48:04, 70:64)
TC: 90 (PB in comp 72)
AR: 80 (PB in comp 65)
ACC: 85 (PB in comp 80)
LD: 170 (if participating in an LD event) (PB in comp 100)
—- older —-
What are your favourite boomerang events?
Up to halfway 2023:
I have a great passion for MTA (Maximum Time Aloft) and LD (Long Distance) events. Although I don’t frequently practise them due to limited space, the exhilaration they offer can only be truly understood by experiencing them first-hand. Both MTA and LD events reward a well-executed throw, which is something I truly appreciate. Aussie round (AR) is something I really like as well, it is a nice combination of multiple events I would say. Additionally, I have developed a strong affinity for TC. Lately, I have dedicated a lot of time to practicing FC (Fast Catch) and END (endurance), and they are growing on me. While accuracy isn’t my primary focus, I usually engage in it after warming up.
1. LD
2. MTA
3. AR
4. TC
5. END
6. FC
7. ACC
After halfway 2023:
1. MTA
2. FC
3. TC
4. END
5. LD (huge drop, because I can’t throw it often)
6. AR
7. ACC
Start of 2024:
1. FC
2. TC
3. MTA
4. LD
5. END
6. AR
7. ACC
Halfway 2024:
1. MTA (more throwing!)
2. FC
3. END
4. TC
5. AR
6. LD (drop: a bit demotivating getting a rubbish score at the world cup, while it was one of my good events)
7. ACC
Do you have any competition goals for 2023?
Yes and no. Due to the tendon injury (partially ruptured shoulder tendon) I have to accept my performance will be sub-optimal. Now, my main goal is to have fun and meet some friends.
Before I was aware of the injury I set roughly the following goals:
FC: 2C 29 seconds → 25 Seconds
END: 35C 38C → 45C
ACC: 53P 57P → 70P
TC: 35P 65P 72P → 70P. Goal accomplished!
AR: 58P → 75P
MTA100: 47.59 Seconds → 53 Seconds (Dutch record I think), but real goal is 60+ Seconds. And, I want to end on podium for MTA.
LD: …. → 121m (Dutch Record), but real goal is 170m+
Do you have any non-competition goals for 2023?
Yes!
– Start moulding and carbon fiber lay ups.
– Working towards being ambidextrous. I am a righty thrower, but I want to be able to throw lefty booms using my left arm as well.
– Make boomerangs more known to the public and attract more people to this sport. I consider contacting universities in the Netherlands to provide (free) workshops.
– Besides getting rid of the ruptured shoulder tendon injury, I would like to improve hip and torso mobility and train those body parts more. I am confident that I can get a better throw when improve on those elements.
– Complete my transition to full-hand grip.
Do you have any goals to work towards until your next tournament, i.e. in 2024?
Yes!
– I want to get a 60+ round in Endurance in practise before the end of 2023.
– I want to get a 100+ score in Trick catch in practise.
– I want to cut my fast catch transitions from average of 1.4 to 0.9 to get a low 15 second round in practise.
– Continue transitioning to full hand grip.
Competition goals for 2024:
FC: 29 25 20.18 seconds → 22 seconds, but real goal is 17 seconds. Goal accomplished!
END: 38C → 50C
ACC: 57P 68P 80p → 70P. Goal accomplished!
TC: 72P → 90P.
AR: 58P 65P → 75P
MTA100: 47.59 48.04 Seconds → 53 Seconds (Dutch record I think), but real goal is 60+ Seconds. And, I want to end on podium for MTA. = accomplished. 2nd at world cup with 70.64 seconds. 3rd German Nationals
LD: N/A 100m → 121m (Dutch Record), but real goal is 170m+
Who do you look up to?
There are multiple people who are really inspiring to me. I will have to split them in groups!
Throwing: I look up to Manuel Schütz, his throw has a lot of details worth analysing, he for sure knows how to utilize muscles well.
Consistency: Alex Opri and Fridolin Frost are incredibly consistent.
Knowledge: Bill Hirst and Michael Siems have really good knowledge about boomerangs and have a specific way of reasoning towards their conclusion which I like.
Craftmanship: Adam McLaughlin and Christian Müller make amazing carbon fiber boomerangs.
Mentoring: Bill Hirst and Adam McLaughlin have been guiding me a lot.
Note that there are different people who would also fit in the categories above, however I only listed the people who helped me personally in some way.
Do you do other sports besides boomerang throwing?
I do. I used to do bouldering even more than throwing, however as my supraspinatus tendon in the shoulder is easily overloaded I decided to quit climbing for the 2024 World cup. To stay fit I do kettlebell exercises at home, do a lot of mobility and flexibility, and I am currently running with as a year-goal to do an ironman and/or ultramarathon.