Boomerang is a model of roller coaster manufactured and designed by Vekoma, a Dutch manufacturer. The roller coaster model name is from the hunting implement based on the traditions of the Indigenous Australians. As of January 2023 there are 55 Boomerangs operating.

Quick Facts Status, First manufactured ...
Boomerang
Thumb
Boomerang at Wild Adventures
StatusIn production
First manufactured1984
No. of installations55
ManufacturerVekoma
Height35.51 m (116.5 ft)
Length285 m (935 ft)
Speed47 mph (76 km/h)
G force5.2
Capacity760 riders per hour
DurationAbout 1 min 48 sec
Restraint StyleOver-the-shoulder
Inversions6 [3 on track, but each run traverses the track twice]
Boomerang at RCDB
Close

The roller coaster model was created in the early 1980s and was first introduced at four different parks around the world in 1984.

Design and ride experience

Thumb
Boomerang's layout design

The Boomerang consists of a single train with seven cars, capable of carrying 28 passengers. The ride begins when the train is pulled backwards from the station and up the first lift hill by a catchcar. After being released, the train passes through the station, enters a Cobra roll element (referred to as a boomerang by the designers) and then travels through a vertical loop. After being pulled up a second lift hill, the train is released to head backwards through each inversion once more, making the total number of inversions per ride six. The train slows down as it passes through the station backwards and then comes to a complete stop in the station. This coaster model is popular among many amusement parks in the United States, but it has appeared at amusement parks around the world.

Boomerang coasters have occasionally stalled, often in the Cobra Roll element. As a precaution, many Boomerang coasters are built with an access platform just under the Cobra Roll/Boomerang element.

During the reverse cycle, riders experience a g force of up to 5.2 when the train re-enters the vertical loop at 47 miles per hour (76 km/h). In back row of the train  the first to enter the loop  this represents one of the most forceful moments seen in steel rollercoaster design.

Variant designs

There are three main design variants based on the Boomerang layout, all of which are produced by Vekoma.

Thumb
Stinger when it was known as Invertigo at California's Great America

Invertigo

The first variant of the Boomerang is the Invertigo. While retaining the same layout as the Boomerang, the Invertigo has inverted track, turning it into an inverted roller coaster. Each car has two rows of seats that are back-to-back, so the riders in the back row of each car would be facing those in the front of the trailing car. The first Invertigo, HangOver at Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden was supposed to open in 1996 with a new linear induction motor (LIM) or LSM lift. However, development problems delayed the ride's opening to 1997, and the design was remade to include a traditional chain lift like the original Boomerang. Only four Invertigo models were ever built.

Giant Inverted Boomerang

Thumb
Stunt Fall at Parque Warner Madrid is one of five Giant Inverted Boomerangs built

The second design is known as both the Giant Inverted Boomerang and the Super Invertigo. While maintaining a similar layout to the Boomerang, the track is again inverted and the size of the ride is increased. The track is 270 feet (82 m) longer, the two lift hills are almost 80 feet (24 m) taller and both hills are vertical. As of 2022, four Giant Inverted Boomerangs operate and one was under construction.

Family Boomerang

In late 2010, Vekoma announced that they would be manufacturing a family-friendly model of the Boomerang. The prototype opened at Drayton Manor Theme Park, as "Ben 10  Ultimate Mission", in April 2011; it was later renamed to Accelerator.[1] Another model debuted on 17 May 2016 as “Velociraptor”, in the ‘Lost Kingdom’ themed area of Paultons Park.[2] Unlike the other Boomerang roller coasters, a Family Boomerang does not feature inversions, but it still retains a similar shuttle design. The ride features the two signature end-spikes on (more or less) a figure-8 track layout. Phantasialand added the world's largest family boomerang, “Raik”, in 2016. This debuted in the new themed area of ‘Klugheim’, accompanying the adjacent Taron (an Intamin Blitz coaster).[3]

Super Boomerang

In 2023, a new variant of the Boomerang model opened in Fantawild Wonderland in China.[4] This version uses a launch system rather than a catch car lift hill and has a longer layout and fewer inversions than the normal boomerang and is more similar to rides such as Mr. Freeze and the now defunct Batman & Robin: The Chiller, though it has a swing launch rather then a stationary launch.[5]

Layouts

Layouts of the different variations
Thumb
Boomerang
Thumb
Invertigo
Thumb
Giant Inverted Boomerang

Ride locations

More information Coaster name, Amusement park ...
Coaster nameAmusement parkVariantOriginal openingStatus
Accelerator
Formerly Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission
Drayton Manor Theme ParkFamily Boomerang 185 m (607 ft)2011Operating[6]
Aftershock
Formerly Déjà Vu
Silverwood Theme Park
Six Flags Great America
Giant Inverted Boomerang2008
2001
Operating
Closed 2007
[7]
[8]
AnacondaLuna Park, Tel AvivBoomerang2000Operating[9]
The BatCanada's WonderlandBoomerang1987Operating[10]
BoomerangBellewaerdeBoomerang1984Operating[11]
BoomerangElitch Gardens Theme ParkBoomerang1999Operating[12]
BoomerangEnergylandiaFamily Boomerang Rebound2017Operating[13]
BoomerangE-WorldBoomerang1995Operating[14]
BoomerangFreizeit-Land GeiselwindBoomerang2000Operating[15]
BoomerangFantasilandiaBoomerang1996Operating[16]
BoomerangGero LandBoomerang1997Operating[17]
BoomerangLa RondeBoomerang1984Operating[18]
BoomerangParc des CombesFamily Boomerang 185 m (607 ft)2011Operating[19]
BúmeranParque Diversiones Costa RicaBoomerang2012Operating[20]
BoomerangParque de la CostaBoomerang1998Operating[21]
BoomerangSiam Park City
Jerudong Park Playground
Boomerang2007
1996
Operating
Closed 2006
[22]
[23]
BoomerangSix Flags Fiesta TexasBoomerang1999Operating[24]
BoomerangSix Flags Mexico
Rafaela Padilla
Boomerang1987
1984
Operating
Closed 1986
[25]
[26]
Boomerang
Formerly Flashback
Six Flags St. Louis
Six Flags Over Texas
Boomerang2013
1989
Operating
Closed 2012
[27]
[28]
BoomerangTrans Studio Bali, Indonesia
Pleasure Island Family Theme Park
Boomerang2019
1993
Operating
Closed 2016
[29]
[30]
BoomerangWalygator Sud-Ouest
Zygo Park
Boomerang1992
1987
Operating[31]
[32]
BoomerangWiener PraterBoomerang1992Operating[33]
BoomerangWild AdventuresBoomerang1998Operating[34]
BoomerangWorlds of FunBoomerang2000Operating[35]
BoomerangFamily Fun
Tivoli Karolinelund
Boomerang2015
2005
Operating
Closed 2010
[36]
[37]
Boomerang (飞旋过山车)Wuhan Zhongshan ParkBoomerang2017Operating[38]
BoomerangYerevan ParkFamily Boomerang Rebound2021Operating[39]
Boomerang: Coast to CoasterSix Flags Darien LakeBoomerang1998Operating[40]
Boomerang: Coast to CoasterSix Flags Discovery KingdomBoomerang1998Operating[41]
Boomerang Hyper Coaster
Formerly Boomerang
Trans Studio Cibubur, Indonesia
Knott's Berry Farm
Boomerang2019
1990
Operating
Closed 2017[42]
[43]
Boomerang Roller CoasterAmrapali FunlandFamily Boomerang 185 m (607 ft)2014Operating[44]
Boomerang-Roller CoasterAl-Shallal Theme ParkBoomerang2004Operating[45]
Búmeran
Formerly Boomerang
Parque Diversiones
Playcenter São Paulo
Boomerang2012
1997
Operating
Closed 2012
[46]
[47]
BumerangTashkentlandBoomerang1995Operating[48]
CobraPowerParkBoomerang2005Operating[49]
CobraWalibi BelgiumBoomerang2001Operating[50]
Cloud ShuttleFantawild Wonderland TongshanSuper Boomerang2023Operating[51]
Diabolik
Formerly Two-Face: The Flip Side
Movieland Park
Six Flags America
Invertigo2015
1999
Operating
Closed 2007
[52]
Family Coaster (合家欢过山车)Happy ValleyFamily Boomerang2017Operating[53]
FamilyBoomerang RollerCoasterHappy ValleyBoomerang2020Operating[54]
FireballFuruvikFamily Boomerang2017Operating[55][56]
Flashback
Formerly Vampire
Formerly Boomerang
Six Flags New England
Kentucky Kingdom
Nanhu Amusement Park
Boomerang2000
1990
1985
Operating
Closed 1999
Closed late 1980s–early 1990s
[57]
[58]
[59]
Flashback
Formerly Boomerang: Coast to Coaster
Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane HarborBoomerang1997Operating[60]
The Flying Cobras
Formerly Carolina Cobra
Formerly Head Spin/Mind Eraser
Carowinds
Geauga Lake
Boomerang2009
1996
Operating
Closed 2007
[61]
[62]
Frontline Charge (火线 追击)Fanta Park Glorious Orient NingboFamily Boomerang Rebound2021Operating[63]
Frontline Charge (火线 追击)Fanta Park Glorious Orient GanzhouFamily Boomerang Rebound2021Operating[64]
GeneratorWalibi Rhône-Alpes Boomerang1988Operating[65]
Giant Inverted Boomerang (巅峰一号)Jin Jiang Action ParkGiant Inverted Boomerang2011Operating[66]
Goliath
Formerly Déjà Vu
Six Flags New England
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Giant Inverted Boomerang2012
2001
Demolished
Closed 2011
[67]
[68][69]
High Speed Round TripBao Son Paradise ParkFamily Boomerang Rebound2019Operating[70]
Invertigo
Formerly Face/Off)
Kings IslandInvertigo1999Operating[71]
Jolly Rancher Remix
Formerly Sidewinder
HersheyparkBoomerang1991Operating[72]
Light ExplorersEnergylandiaFamily Boomerang Spirit2021Operating[73]
London LoopGlobal VillageFamily Boomerang2017Operating[74]
LunaLisebergFamily Boomerang2023Operating[75]
Pine Tree Rocket (飞跃狗熊岭)Oriental Heritage, ShanxiFamily Boomerang Rebound2021Operating[76]
Pine Tree Rocket (飞跃狗熊岭)Fantawild LandFamily Boomerang Rebound2021Operating[77]
Quantum LeapSochi ParkGiant Inverted Boomerang2014Operating[78]
Ragin' Cajun
Formerly Boomerang
Dixie Landing'
Hafan y Môr Holiday Park
Boomerang2001
1987
Operating
Closed 1998
[79]
RaikPhantasialandFamily Boomerang2016Operating[80][81]
Recoil
Formerly Thunderbolt
Wonderla Amusement Park Bangalore
Aladdin's Kingdom
Boomerang2016
1994
Operating
Closed 2009
[82]
[83]
Recoil
Formerly Zoomerang
Formerly Demon

Formerly Titan
Wonderla Amusement Park Hyderabad
Alabama Adventure & Splash Adventure
Wonderland Sydney
World Expo Park
Boomerang2016
2005
1992
1988
Operating
Closed 2011
Closed 2004
Closed 1988
[84]
[85]
[86]
[87]
Recoil
Formerly Colossus
Wonderla Amusement Park Kochi
Habtoorland
Boomerang2017
2004
Operating
Closed 2011
[88]
[89]
SavenFårup SommerlandFamily Boomerang Spirit2020Operating[90]
Sea SerpentMorey's PiersBoomerang1984Operating[91]
Snow SlopeLusail Winter WonderlandFamily Boomerang Rebound2022Operating[92]
Space Shuttle Max
Formerly Cobra
Enchanted Kingdom
West Midland Safari Park
Boomerang1995
1985
Operating
Closed 1991
[93]
[94]
Spartan Race (Chúa tể đấu trường)
Formerly Flying Dolphin Coaster
VinWonders Phú QuốcFamily Boomerang 185 m (607 ft)2015Operating[95]
[96]
Speed of Sound
Formerly La Via Volta
Walibi HollandBoomerang2000Operating[97]
Stinger
Formerly Invertigo
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
California's Great America
Invertigo2012
1998
Demolished
Closed 2010
[98][99][100]
Stress ExpressFantawild Dreamland, FujianBoomerang2013Operating[101]
Stress ExpressFantawild AdventureBoomerang2012Operating[102]
Stress ExpressOriental Heritage JinanBoomerang2015Operating[103]
Stress Express Fantawild Dreamland, HunanBoomerang2016Operating[104]
Stress Express Oriental Heritage JiujiangBoomerang2015Operating[105]
Stress ExpressOriental Heritage CixiBoomerang2016Operating[106]
Stress ExpressFantawild Asian LegendBoomerang2018Operating[107]
Stress ExpressSilk Road DreamlandBoomerang2019Operating[108]
Stunt FallParque Warner MadridGiant Inverted Boomerang2002Operating[109]
Tidal WaveTrimper's RidesBoomerang1986Operating[110]
Triops
Formerly Tornado
Formerly Unknown
Formerly HangOver
Bagatelle
Sommerland Syd
Allou Fun Park
Liseberg
Invertigo2012
2005
Never opened>
1997
Operating
Closed 2011
Never opened
Closed 2002
[111]
[112]
[113]
[114]
Turbo Dino (角龙战车)Zigong Fantawild Dinosaur KingdomFamily Boomerang Rebound2022Operating[115]
TweestrydWildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen(Double) Family Boomerang2018Operating[116]
VelociraptorPaulton's ParkFamily Boomerang2016Operating[117]
VolldampfErlebnispark TripsdrillFamily Boomerang2020Operating[118]
Whirly Roller Coaster
Formerly Boomerang
Floraland Continent Park
Qingdao International Beer City
Boomerang2015
1995
Operating
Closed 2010
[119]
[120]
Wipeout
Formerly Missile
Formerly Coca-Cola Roller
Pleasurewood Hills
The American Adventure Theme Park
Glasgow Garden Festival
Boomerang2007
1989
1988
Operating
Closed 2004
Closed 1988
[121]
[122]
[123]
ZoomerangLake CompounceBoomerang1997Operating[15]
The QuestEmerald ParkFamily Boomerang Spirit2024Operating[124]
Zydeco Scream
Formerly Boomerang
Six Flags New Orleans
Parc de Montjuic
Boomerang2000
1990
SBNO Since 2005
Closed 1998
[125]
UnknownFantawild, MudanFamily Boomerang Rebound2023Under Construction[126]
UnknownFantawild, RenchengFamily Boomerang Rebound2023Under Construction[127]
UnknownFantawild, LiangyuanFamily Boomerang Rebound2023Under Construction[128]
UnknownOriental Heritage, HenanFamily Boomerang Rebound2024Under Construction[129]
UnknownOriental Heritage, JiangxiFamily Boomerang Rebound2024Under Construction[130]
UnknownFantawild, YunnanFamily Boomerang Rebound2024Under Construction[131]
UnknownFantawild, JiangsuFamily Boomerang Rebound2024Under Construction[132]
UnknownWarner Bros. Movie World(Double) Family Boomerang2024Under Construction[133]
Unknown
Formerly Déjà Vu
Mirabilandia
Six Flags Over Georgia
Giant Inverted BoomerangTBD
2001
In Storage
Closed 2007
[134][135]
THE FLASH: Vertical VelocitySix Flags Great AdventureSuper Boomerang2024Under Construction[136]
Close

See also

References

Wikiwand in your browser!

Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.

Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.

Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.