When most people think of summer sports in East Cobb, boomerang throwing probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But for Jason, Heidi, and Rachel Smucker, and their neighbor Siddhant Ajit Mahapatra, it’s far more than a backyard pastime. This summer, sisters Heidi Smucker, a sophomore at Covenant College, and Rachel Smucker, a rising junior at Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, will return to the world stage as part of the U.S. Youth Developmental Boomerang Team, competing at the World Boomerang Championship in Bandung, Indonesia. Joining them will be East Cobb teen Siddhant Mahapatra, competing internationally for the first time.
What started as simple neighborhood curiosity quickly became something much bigger.
“When I first saw them practicing, I thought it looked really cool and completely different from any other sport I’d seen,” Siddhant said. “I never imagined I’d eventually be representing the United States.”
Rachel, who has already competed at World Championships in France and Denver, says the sport constantly challenges both your mind and body.
“People think it’s just throwing a boomerang, but every throw is different,” Rachel explained. “You’re constantly adjusting for wind, angles, speed, and timing. It’s a mix of physics, strategy, and athleticism.”
Her older sister Heidi agrees.
“You have to stay patient,” Heidi said. “Some days the wind changes every few minutes, and you have to adapt quickly. That’s part of what makes the sport exciting.”
Their father, Jason Smucker, a 10 time member of Team USA who will compete this summer on USA Team 1 “Raditude,” has helped mentor not only his daughters, but also Siddhant as he learned the sport.
“One of the hardest things to teach is learning to feel the wind,” Jason said. “You can explain the science behind it, but eventually experience and instinct take over.”
For Siddhant, that learning process has been one of the most rewarding parts of training.
“There were definitely times I thought I had the perfect throw and watched the boomerang drift completely away from me,” he laughed. “But every mistake teaches you something.”
The athletes will travel to Indonesia this summer to compete against teams from around the world, but the trip comes with significant costs including airfare, lodging, tournament fees, and equipment.
“This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Rachel said. “We’re incredibly grateful for any support from the East Cobb community.”
Community members can support the U.S. Youth Developmental Team through a GoFundMe campaign creat ed by members of the U.S. Boomerang Association. Donations help cover travel expenses, uniforms, lodging, and competi tion fees for the young athletes representing the United States on the international stage. gofund.me/ae72a361f.
If interested in learning more email Jason at jesmucker@ yahoo.com or Sarita at Sarita.mohanty@gmail.com to find out about local practice opportunities and upcoming events. You can also search for the US Boomerang Association (usba. org/, facebook: unitedstatesboomerangassociation) or U.S. Boomerang Team (unitedstatesboomerangteam) on Facebook to follow along, ask questions, and see the sport in action.
