The Boomerang roller coaster by Vekoma is an amazing ride that is probably underappreciated due to its commercial success. Boomerang installations are numerous with over 50 operating locations worldwide with most using Boomerang in its name. However, just because something is common doesn’t mean it isn’t good and with a Boomerang you’ll experience some of the most intense forces possible on a steel roller coaster. One of the best and most well kept is the Boomerang at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA. It even received some upgrades making it even better for the 2026 season.

A Vekoma Boomerang occupies a unique space in the roller coaster spectrum in that it offers good intensity in a cost effective small footprint. A Boomerang packs 6 total inversions in just under a 1 minute 45 second experience. The ride begins as the train is pulled backwards from the station and up the first hill and is released. The train passes through the station reaching speeds of 47 mph and enters a Cobra roll element (two inversions in one element and referred to as a “boomerang” by Vekoma) followed by a traditional vertical loop. The car then proceeds up a second hill where it is caught and pulled up. The train is then released and traverses the whole course backwards for six total inversions. Riders pass through the station backwards while slowing before returning and coming to a complete stop. The Boomerang has the 2nd strongest G-forces you can experience on a roller coaster today just behind ShockWave at Six Flags Over Texas.

	G Force
Flip Flap Railway at Coney Island (defunct)	12
Moonsault Scramble Fuji-Q Highland (defunct)	6.5
Tower of Terror at Gold Reef City (before refurb)	6.3
ShockWave at Six Flags Over Texas	5.5
Boomerang at Wild Adventures	5.2
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney Studios	5
Tower of Terror at Gold Reef City	4

The Boomerang at Wild Adventures Theme Park opened in 1998 and dominates the park’s skyline at 116 feet tall. Even though Boomerang is approaching 30 years old, it’s still silky smooth. Older Vekoma rides are sometimes criticized for having a rough ride often called “headbanging”, but you get zero of this with the Boomerang at Wild Adventures. I can’t claim to have ridden every Boomerang out there, but it’s hard to imagine one running better. Wild Adventures is actually home to four Vekoma coasters in including an SLC, a family invert and a kiddie coaster and they all still give a great ride. The Boomerang at Wild Adventures also looks great having gotten a new paint job back in 2024. For the 2026 season Boomerang features an all-new control system and new magnetic brakes from Vekoma. The magnetic brakes provide smooth, non-contact deceleration of a train while a new control system can reduce downtime and maintenance calls.

The Boomerang roller coaster is marvel of engineering as well. Watching the catchcar, pulley system on the first hill and chain catching/releasing the train on the second hill is fascinating. Ryan the Ride mechanic did a fascinating over an hour deep dive into the engineering of a boomerang coaster. The simplistic and effective systems that Vekoma developed for the humble boomerang were the forerunners to those used on their newest tilt coasters today. You may not have a Siren’s Curse at Cedar Point without the engineering developed and perfected for the Boomerang.

The Vekoma Boomerang probably has the most excitement and forces you can experience on under 1,000 feet of track. The Boomerang debuted in 1984 and was ahead of its time and was a precursor to some of today’s most talked about coasters. If you’re at your local theme park and it has a Boomerang give it a ride, perhaps for the first time in and while. If you get near Wild Adventures in Valdosta, GA give their Boomerang a ride as it may be the best one out there. The video below is courtesy of Wild Adventures and will give you a preview of their Boomerang with some awesome POV moments too!