From a Father’s Lesson to a Family Business of Wooden Boomerangs
I am Nemunas Pakalnis, a boomerang maker based in Lithuania (EU). My journey began over 20 years ago, watching my father, Dr. Saulius Pakalnis, perfect the craft of wooden boomerangs.
I still remember the childhood magic of testing my father’s new creations in open fields. It amazed me that a simple wooden stick, without any modern technology, could cut through the air, circle around, and return right to my hand. That sense of wonder never left me.
In 2012, I began crafting my own returning boomerangs. I clearly remember the first time I made one that actually returned—it remains one of my proudest memories. Since that day, I have handcrafted more than 3,000 boomerangs.
Making a high-quality wooden boomerang is a precise science. It requires a perfect balance of weight, aerodynamic airflow, and rotational speed. This is why I treat every piece with care: I know that precision is the only way to guarantee the boomerang will return to the thrower.
As interest in my work grew globally, so did the need for unique designs. This is where my wife, Goda, stepped in. While I handle the aerodynamics, she and other local artists provide the soul of the boomerang through hand-painted art.
What started as a lesson from my father has now become a true family business.
As seen in The Crafty Gentleman (UK): https://www.thecraftygentleman.net/2016/02/14/man-crafts-handmade-boomerangs/
