Turbo Javelin

The Turbo Javelin

To watch the video version, click above or here for the YouTube short. 

USATF requires the Turbo Javelin for 7 and 8 year olds in youth competition. It is a soft, lightweight foam implement designed to introduce young athletes to the overhead throwing motion safely, without any of the risk that comes with a pointed implement.

The First Flier

At ages 9 and 10, athletes move to the FirstFlier, a 250 gram youth javelin scaled to fit so that athletes can see the tip alongside their eye at the point of release, which is a critical part of learning proper javelin flight. It has a soft rubber tip and a safety button on the tail, and its flight characteristics are intentionally designed to mirror those of the FinnFlier and full sized javelins.

The Finn Flier

From age 11 onward, youth throwers move to the FinnFlier, the 450 gram Aerojav that meets USATF's official youth competition specifications. It is lightweight, flexible, and easy on young arms, allowing far more throws per session than a full weight javelin. The flight is honest and revealing, good throws fly well and poor ones make it obvious, which accelerates development quickly.