Introduction;
Every September, the Hebridean island of Easdale transforms into the global epicenter for an unusual yet thrilling event—the World Stone Skimming Championship. This quirky competition attracts fanatical stone skimmers from across the globe, where the goal is not to play instruments but to master the art of stone skimming.
The Event: A Rainy Day for Champions
Despite the pouring rain and strong winds, the atmosphere at the championship is nothing short of electric. Lynsay McGeachy, an accomplished golfer, mountain biker, and head distiller, takes center stage, ready to compete in her favorite sport: stone skimming. McGeachy’s concentration is unwavering as she clutches a smooth slate pebble, preparing to launch it across a water-filled quarry. With precision, she throws the stone in a waist-high baseball-style pitch, sending it soaring 42 meters. The stone skips across the water 15 times, and McGeachy’s response is nothing short of exhilaration—an “absolute belter” as she calls it.
McGeachy, who has been stone skimming since childhood, takes her practice sessions seriously. She estimates that she skims around 160 stones per week, honing her skills on Torrisdale Beach in Kintyre. “The secret,” she explains, “is finding smooth, flat pebbles with a balanced underside. They spin much faster.”
The Art and Sport of Stone Skimming
Competitive stone skimming is a spectacle that demands not only skill but also precision. The excitement of watching skilled participants hurl stones into the water can be infectious. Last year, McGeachy’s throw earned her the title of overall adult female champion at the World Stone Skimming Championship. Since its inception in 1997, this annual event has grown into a beloved tradition, drawing competitors from around the world to the small island of Easdale near Oban in Argyll.
2024 World Stone Skimming Championship
The 2024 championship promises to be bigger than ever, with participants from five continents and 27 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. One competitor is even traveling from Bolivia to take part. Over the years, previous champions have hailed from countries like Hungary and Japan, showcasing the truly international appeal of this unique sport.
Set in one of Easdale’s flooded, amphitheater-like quarries, the championship is an unorthodox gathering organized by local islanders. From the pub landlord to the ferryman, and even the island’s sole doctor, the event brings the community together. Anyone can participate for a £10 entry fee, adding to the event’s casual yet competitive vibe. Easdale may be a small island with only one pub, one community hall, and one museum, but its stunning natural beauty makes it a prime location for stone skimming enthusiasts.
Easdale Island: A Remote Beauty
Easdale Island is not just known for its quirky competition but also for its remote, rugged beauty. Located in the Slate Islands in the Firth of Lorn, the island’s inaccessibility only adds to its charm. Visitors to the island are often struck by how man and nature seem to coexist in harmony, with the island’s rich history of slate quarrying still palpable in the air.
Slate holds a special significance for the islanders, as the interaction between the stone and the island’s residents runs deep. “There’s a strong sense of pride and positivity on Easdale because of stone skimming,” says Kyle Mathews, the island’s community doctor and one of the championship’s main organizers. According to Mathews, the quarry is accessible year-round, bringing visitors to the island beyond just the championship weekend.
A Global Attraction with Limited Capacity
The championship weekend, set for September 7, 2024, faces a unique challenge due to the limited infrastructure on the island. With only basic accommodation and facilities, the island expects to host up to 1,000 spectators. The event itself is capped at 350 skimmers, a restriction that reflects the event’s popularity. This year’s entry slots sold out within 29 minutes, and the event website even crashed under the demand from over 700 hopeful participants.
Mathews oversees the competition from the “Skim of Destiny,” a platform from which competitors launch their stones. Strict rules ensure fairness: all stones must be naturally formed Easdale slate, and each stone can be no more than 7.6 cm in diameter. The stones are measured with a special gauge to prevent any skimmer from gaining an unfair advantage.
Thrilling Performances and Records
The competition is nothing short of thrilling. In 2023, eight-time champion and Scottish favorite Dougie Isaacs hit the back wall of the quarry with such force that the crowd erupted into bedlam. Air horns blared, and the cheering was so loud that it could be heard on the neighboring island of Seil.
The story of the championship’s origin is as quirky as the event itself. Legend has it that 40 years ago, an Englishman, Scotsman, and Irishman walked into The Puffer, Easdale’s only pub. After far too many drinks, they decided to hold a stone-skimming competition that lasted until sunrise. Since then, the championship has grown into a celebrated tradition, supported by Eilean Eisdeal, a community development group that uses the event as a fundraiser. Last year’s championship raised £9,000, helping to fund the island’s school and community hall.
Easdale’s Rich History
Once a thriving hub for slate production, Easdale’s primary industry suffered a major setback in the 1850s when a historic storm flooded its quarries. Today, the remaining smooth stones are used exclusively for stone skimming, with the last slate being cut in 1950. Visitors can learn more about the island’s history at the Easdale Island Folk Museum, which provides a poignant backdrop to the vibrant stone-skimming culture.
Training for the Competition
For competitors like Alex Lewis, a six-time participant and previous winner of multiple skimming championships, including the British, Welsh, and Swiss events, stone skimming is a serious sport. “Most days, I train to prevent injuries during competition,” says Lewis, a former javelin thrower and current economics student. Lewis incorporates wrist, shoulder, and flexibility exercises into his routine, ensuring he can consistently throw stones over 100 meters without injury.
Lewis is particularly proud of his performance at last year’s Welsh Open, where he unofficially set a world record with a 147.7-meter throw. While waiting for confirmation from Guinness World Records, Lewis reflects on the therapeutic nature of stone skimming and the close-knit community that thrives on the interaction between rocks and water.
The Challenge of Stone Skimming
Achieving the longest throw in stone skimming is no easy feat, particularly in Easdale’s unpredictable weather. Wind and waves can drastically alter the course of a stone, even when conditions seem perfect. “It might be the perfect stone and the perfect throw, but a rogue wave can throw everything off,” Lewis explains. “A lot of it comes down to luck. Anyone can win.”
The beauty of the World Stone Skimming Championship lies in its inclusivity—anyone, regardless of age or experience, can take part. And with Easdale’s stunning landscapes as the backdrop, the competition offers a unique and thrilling experience for participants and spectators alike.
