John Cryderman (from Chatham, Canada) is well known for making high quality strip laminated and Birch plywood boomerangs. Many of his creations are John's original designs. However, he occasionally makes replicas of boomerangs designed by other famous boom makers, such as strip laminated hooks and omegas by Al Gerhards of Downington, Pennsylvania. John usually makes his strip laminated boomerangs out of native Canadian hardwoods, but he sometimes uses exotic woods, such as Mahogany and Ebony. Some of the plywood and strip laminated boomerangs are decorated with inlaid plugs of exotic woods arranged in pseudo-floral patterns. The vast majority of John's boomerangs are large in size and they require a strong throw for a full return.

This copy of a Gerhards style omega was made out of strips of Red Oak in 2006. This is an unweighted smaller boomerang with very nice airfoiling and a smooth satin finish. I tested this one and found it to be a good flyer with a low circular flight and a range of 50 metres. It does require a hard straight out throw with 20-30 degrees of layover for best results. Certainly not a good boomerang for a child or a thrower who cannot put some power into his/her throw. If you add a little dihedral, it will bring the flight up higher and make it easier to throw. You can also add a coin with tape to the upper surface of the dingle arm and that will make it easier to throw while you get used to it. Then you can remove the coin (training wheels). It is signed and dated and it has John Cryderman's hot poker stamp on underside. It is in new condition.