Boomerang

The Boomerang is one of the most widely built roller coaster models in history, manufactured by Vekoma. The layout includes a vertical loop flanked by two sidewinder elements, traversed first forward, then in reverse after the train is pulled up a second inclined lift section and released backward through the same elements. This back-and-forth design delivers six inversions (three in each direction) in a very compact footprint, making it ideal for parks with limited space or budget.

Over 50 Boomerang coasters were built worldwide; the model is found at parks on every inhabited continent and became synonymous with the budget end of the thrill coaster market. The older Boomerang models have a well-known rough ride quality owing to their Arrow Dynamics-derived inversion geometry, which produces sharp G-force transitions. Vekoma's new-generation designs have addressed the smoothness issue, but the original Boomerang remains operational at dozens of mid-sized parks around the world and is often a visitor's first inversion-equipped roller coaster.