Max Hoeben is considered by many to be the father of organized boomerang competition in Europe. Max grew up in Amsterdam, Holland in the years prior to World War II. Max was a close friend of Anne Frank who is well known for her diary, a literary masterpiece. At the beginning of World War II, Max was taken to Germany and forced to work in German factories. He escaped with a friend and made his way back to Holland, only to be recaptured and returned to another labor camp. Max escaped a second time. He returned to Holland where he hid out until the end of the war. Max worked many odd jobs after the war. He is a well known Dutch author of mystery novels. One of his jobs took him to Australia where he was introduced to boomerang throwing. Max met many of the legendary boomerangers in the 1960s and early 1970s. After returning to Holland, Max, and his partner Tonny Van der Gyp, formed the Holland Boomerang Association and invited throwers from all over Europe to participate in the first European tournaments. This happened at the same time that Ben Ruhe was introducing boomerangs to the American public. Max continued to host tournaments thourghout the 1970s and 1980s. He also promoted boomerangs on TV and in publications. Max died on 5 December 2001. He is missed by everyone in the boomerang community.

This is a large art shape boomerang with a bulbous dingle arm tip and elbow. Made in the1970s out of plywood. It is painted red and yellow to look like a bird head with the beak as the lift arm. There is also a Max Hoeben sticker on the elbow and a small collection tag that reads "silly bird".. The under surface is also painted red and yellow. This is a returner and the flight range is only 30-35 metres. Because of it's size and design, this boomerang takes a medium hard throw with layover and a slight incline for best results. It is a decent flyer if thrown correctly and impressive to watch in flight because of it's size. Very good condition.