Practice really can make perfect, even if you start from scratch.

For José Drummond, Professor of environmental policy and environmental history at the University of Brasília in Brazil, a 1991 chance sighting of an Aerobie Orbiter Boomerang in a Wisconsin sporting-goods store sparked that practice.  His fascination with throwing it took him from newbie to record-setter status in a matter of a year or so.

The Aerobie Orbiter was Professor Drummond’s first boomerang. He learned to throw and catch it “without any instruction or help, and after months of trials and effort,” he says. Steady dedication to perfecting his skill led to an impressive record of 260 consecutive throws and catches on May 14th in 1992. Over the next 15 years, that number grew to an astonishing 720 - his most recent record set on June 5, 2007.

From Madison, Wisconsin to the University of Brasília’s Olympic Center soccer field, Professor Drummond has looped his boomerangs through the skies. Weather has not always been ideal and he has had past difficulties in the form of territorial birds and even an aggressive, Orbiter-chasing bat. His most recent feat was accomplished in a light wind under a heavily clouded sky.

Professor Drummond recalls that the throwing was easy in such wind conditions, with the boomerang returning neatly and smoothly to him after flight. “Most catches were made quite close to my home base,” he says. “I was not overly tired at the end of the series.”

Professor Drummond describes himself as “not much of an athlete,” though he has tried his hand at swimming, jogging, volleyball, and soccer. Despite the fact that his two daughters consider boomerang throwing to fall “somewhere between boring and embarrassing,” as he reports, we find
his efforts inspirational. Keep up the good throws, Professor Drummond!

The record of 720 was one that Professor Drummond chose himself—he never dropped the boomerang. He simply stopped at that number when nighttime darkness descended.

Jose Drummond
Brazil

Good morning Superflight,

Just thought you might like to know that the Z-Boaz (Ft. Worth, TX) ace pot was hit today for $2768.00 with an Aerobie Arrow Golf Disc that I had just bought before the round. SWEET DISC!

At Z-Boaz as well as many other disc golf courses around the country we have a mini tournament every Sunday. The entry fee per player includes two extra dollars for the Ace Pot which accumulates until it is hit. This particular ace pot had not been hit in 6 months. People were starting to come in from other states to play the mini just for the chance to hit our ace pot. There was even an entire thread on the PDGA [Professional Disc Golf Association] website discussion board about the Z-Boaz Ace Pot. The final payout was $2768.00 and was the highest course ace pot ever paid out in the history of our sport.

Here's what happened! After arriving at the course and paying my entry fee I asked Brian Mace of Mace Man Disc Golf Gear if he had any of those new Aerobie discs I had been reading about on the web and in the Disc Golf World News. He said yes and as I looked I decided I just had to have one of each (the Aerobie Epic Driver & the Aerobie Arrow Approach / Putter). I took the Arrow disc over to the practice basket and it was love at first throw. I missed the first two (straight but low) but then made about 10 in a row and knew I had found my new putter/upshot disc. I even bragged on it quite a bit that it looked funny but it was the straightest putter I had ever thrown. I can say that I have thrown every putter out there and this one has the best feel, the smoothest release, and the straightest flight I have ever seen in a putter. I also love how it sticks when it hits the chains.

Anyway, we were finishing the 10th hole of an otherwise disappointing round and as we walked up the hill to the 11th tee I told my group "you know I've got half a mind to throw this Arrow here." It was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Hole 11 is an approximately 160 foot tunnel shot through the trees with a sharp turn to the right at the end to get to the basket. It was a blind shot, I knew where the basket was but could not see it. I knew it was gonna be close and right before it hit one of the guys on my card said "it's in." Then I heard the chains. Then he said "and it stayed." The rest is disc golf history, but I went absolutely nuts, I could not stop yelling, screaming, jumping up & down, etc. I did however pull myself together enough to finish the round.

As far as what I did with the money, some bills were paid, $100 went back to the Ace Pot so it would not be empty, each of the guys on my card got a $100 bill, and I bought six cases of beer for the course and a boat.

Thanks again for making such an awesome product and once again, "SWEET DISC."

Matt Weinberg (aka. Mighty-Matt #19859)
Ft. Worth, Texas, USA

Hi Superflight,

I was just throwing an Aerobie Orbiter boomerang at the ballfield down the street, and had a large bat chase it almost all the way into my hand. It made three passes within inches, and stayed within a couple of feet making fast circles. With such flying abilities, I'm surprised bats don't prey on birds.

Bill Gosper
Los Altos, California, USA

Hello Everyone at Superflight, and THANK YOU ALL!

At risk of sounding a little obsessed, I'd like to tell you how grateful myself and my friends are, and how MUCH WE LOVE the Aerobie products. Or as my friend Marcus and I call them, 'Tools of Freedom.'

A few months ago I suggested to my mate... 'How 'bout we go throw the Frizz?' and we went to the park with a dodgy little Frisbee and had a great time. Then I remembered that when I was young I had 'one of those Ring Things that go a footy field' and I wanted another one! The first time we got out there with the Aerobie Pro ring I was knackered. After a lazy Winter, chasing that thing took it out of me. Months later Marcus and I are bloody pros! And I ache to finish work early, grab the ring, head to the field and..... and now this is where I'm lost for words.

Nothing can describe the enjoyment and Peace I get from those days. Maybe I just love running barefoot in the grass with the Spring sun setting, but there's more to it than that. With the Pro ring I get so much exercise, then there's agility, prediction, coordination and so much laughter when all you and passers by can say is 'That's Bloody Amazing.' And so many people come and join in... kids, then their parents. Now they have their own rings. People drop their kites to come have a go. Now even my dear 'ol Dad comes down with us and brings the dog - thank you, he needs the exercise.

Just recently I bought the Orbiter boomerang, Fantastic! God Bless you all and keep up the good work!

We played with the Aerobie today--me, Joe, and Shlib-- that sacred ring-- the pertiest and very best toy in the land--in a field full of pretty purple (poppies?) or something, and also full of deadly yellowjackets. Every step was taken with care, until there was a wild throw, then it was--hesitation--and...screaming and shouting, running for your life. Joe stayed downhill always in a nice patch of green lawn, away from the danger. I screamed as I leapt and ran amongst the angry bees, waving the ring like a cudgel, "Getcha on out here boy! Walk ye on into the fields of the lord!"