Meet Yannick Claerman | Boomerang maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yannick Claerman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yannick, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As a nature fanatic and social geographer I’ve always had a profound interest in artifacts made with natural materials. It wasn’t until 2020, during lockdown, that boomerangs rather randomly crossed my path. While forced into social distancing, Youtube suggested a video on “how to make your own boomerang”. Perfect timing, I remember thinking.

Boomerangs are special in many ways. They are universally known, yet few people have actually seen them fly. They are in essence very simple tools, yet they perform an amazing feat, they return back to us, thanks to an interplay of physical laws. They are perfect for solitary people, but also used for competitive group sport. Many solo throwers around the world enjoy spending time with their trusted boomerang alone in nature, while others travel the world in teams for international competitions.

After 4 years of diving deep into the history, culture, science, sport, and art of boomerang making, I decided to start the “Loyal” project as a way to share my handcrafted flying pieces with the world. I intentionally chose not to mass produce boomerangs but instead focus on creating unique pieces of returning art, custom made for one owner, tailored to their preferences. Every thrower is different, and my goal is to make the perfect boomerang for that person. One that fits the person’s style of throwing, but also matches their energy and creativity.

When I discovered the magic of boomerangs I knew very quickly I wanted to share this with others. It’s always my dream that each new owner develops a unique and powerful relationship with their Loyal, just like I have developed with mine. No matter how many times you throw it away, how much energy, love, excitement, frustration, anger, despair you put into your throws, it will always come back to you. It’s loyal to you. It’s there for you when you need it. When you need to clear your head, get a workout, breathe in fresh air, find some joy, be amazed, make other people smile, have a chat with a stranger. The boomerang responds to the thrower’s commands and will return whatever the thrower needs. This symbolic connection is as powerful as the physical one but takes time to develop. It starts the first time my customers hold the boomerang in their hands and it grows each time it lands back into them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Loyal boomerangs are San Diego made flying tools, or artful toys, handcrafted with local natural materials. Like a bird of prey it is meant to soar high, dive fast and return loyally to the hand of the thrower.
Unfortunately, most people who have thrown a boomerang in their lives, have thrown a sh*tty one. Most of the mass produced boomerangs either don’t work or are not pretty to look at. Loyal fills that void between form and function. Just like the trees where they came from, Loyal boomerangs are one of a kind pieces, custom made for the new owner.
In a complex world struggling with the burden of humankind, I find it peaceful to focus deeply on creating a simple, yet beautiful object, that sparks joy and amazement, without causing harm. Everybody who owns a Loyal boomerang can hopefully relate to that last statement. Historically returning boomerangs were used during ceremonies and for play, not for hunting or warfare, unlike the closely related hunting stick. Boomerangs are made for fun, and the world desperately needs more of that these days.
Learning how to throw and catch a boomerang takes time and practice. Lots of it. And the further they go, the more skill is involved. Besides the biomechanical aspects of throwing and catching you also need to learn how to read the wind and its relation to the topography. Wind is as important to boomerangers as waves are for surfers. That connection to nature through the wood in your hand, and the wind in your hair, is a key component for me personally.
Two major personal highlights I will cherish forever are first place in the US Boomerang Craftsman Championship 2023 with Loyal #23 and second place in the World Boomerang Championship 2024 with Loyal #42. With Loyal as a brand however, my goals or aspirations are less personal and more communal. I want to inspire other people to get out there, throw and have fun. We only have a limited time on this planet. Let’s embrace beauty, community, and playfulness. If I can help more people get outdoors, forget their daily struggles, slow down and find joy, that would make me proud.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would bike through Coronado, hop on the ferry to downtown, and finish in Balboa with a drink at Panama 66. We would walk from North Park to South Park and get delicious food at Kindred. We would play beach volleyball at Mission Beach, watch the sunset at Torrey Pines and make a campfire at Fiesta Island. We would catch a show at Rady Shell, see the tidepools at Cabrillo, and visit a free museum in Balboa on a Tuesday. And to finish it off, I would take them paddleboarding in La Jolla, hiking in Palomar Mountain and camping in Anza Borrego. And that’s just day one. There is just too much to see and do.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The World of Boomerang facebook page is a global network of boomerang enthusiasts. Through this page I met some of the best boomerang makers in the world and was able to learn from them. Collin De Graag from The Netherlands in particular has helped me tremendously. He is a world champion boomerang maker, has written a book about boomerangs, and is always pushing the boundaries of boomerang design. Without his guidance and mentorship “Loyal” probably wouldn’t exist. Thank you Collin for all that you do for the craft!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loyalboomerang/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yannick-claerman-51b360106/