ABOUT The World Stone Skimming Championships
Contestants hail from around the world and the championships now attract over 300 participants and many spectators. Anyone of any age and any level of skill can enter the championships.
The competition is split into Ladies, Men, Junior Boys and Girls and Under 10s Boys and Girls categories. There is also the Old Tosser category for those entrants who have reached the experienced and veteran heights of no longer being in their 50s! Entrants to this section will throw at the same time as the other adults in the order in which they register. Be sure and mark your registration form if you wish to enter this category!
Team category. Team members register as individuals as normal but, in addition, name the team that they are taking part in. Teams must consist of four individuals, of either sex, but of the same age category. Their three throws count towards their individual entry AND the Team entry.
Team members will have the total length of their three throws added together, then each team member's individual total will be added together to form the team total. The winning team will be the team that throws the largest cumulative total metres thrown by all four entrants.
An individual can win in both the individual event and as part of a team from their one lot of three throws. Team members pay the same entry fee as an individual entrant, with no extra team charge.
Official Rules of the World Stone Skimming Championships are:
- Skimming stones must be no more than 3 inches in diameter and formed naturally of Easdale slate
- To qualify, the stone must bounce no less than 3 times and stay within the designated lane as marked by the buoys
- Skims are judged on the distance thrown rather than the number of bounces
- The judges' decision is final
Categories and entrance fees:
Adult Women and Men (16 and over) - entrance fee: £4
Old Tossers (60 and over) - entrance fee: £3
Junior Girls and Boys (age 10-15 years) - entrance fee: £2
Under 10s Girls and Boys - entrance fee: £1
There is no extra charge for an individual also taking part as a member of a team.
The World Stone Skimming Cup is presented to the over-all winner, and the Sea-fari Salver for the best women's skim and The Puffer Trophy for the winning team. There are also slate medals going to the best junior skim and 2nd and 3rd runner-up in each category. 'The Bertie', named after the event's founder, is presented to the Easdale Islander who skims the furthest. 2009 saw the launch of a new award, 'The Old Tosser Walking Stick', for contestants over 60 with the longest skim.
Press Coverage
Press interest in the the World Stone Skimming Championships is increasing every year, and the event has been covered by the following: Oban Times; The Independent; The Scotsman; The Times; The Sunday Times; The Glasgow Herald; The Daily Record; The Daily Mail; The Sun and The Drogheda Independent. Articles have also appeared in Coast Magazine as well as Scottish Islands Explorer.
Features have also appeared on BBC TV’s Coast and The One Show; STV’s The Hour; BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio Scotland, Radio 5 Live; Gaelic Television news; Scottish Television; BBC Scotland television; CBBC Newsround and Channel 4 Big Breakfast.
Scotland on TV produced a video about the 2007 World Stone Skimming Championships which you can view on our video gallery page.