- The Game of Skipping Stones
- Russell 'Rock Bottom' Byars - Record 51 hops
- The World Stone Skimming Championships
- The Science of Skimming Stones
- Origin of the phrase 'Ducks and Drakes'
- Funny Stones
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∇The
Game of Skipping Stones
Here is a game that anyone can play - skimming stones. Will and Guy love throwing flat stones which bounce across a pond. Actually, a calm sea is better because most beaches have an endless supply of
suitable pebbles. One of the unexpected benefits of everyone having a video camera is that they can settle arguments over the number of bounces or skips that a pebble makes. I always believed that
fifteen was good and twenty skips exceptional. Then I read about the exploits of Russell Byars.Russell 'Rock Bottom' Byars - Record 51 hops
Russell 'Rock Bottom' Byars threw a pebble that skipped an amazing 51 times. The Guinness Book of Records has a category for stone skimming, and Russell sent them a video with not one, but two throws of 50+ skips. He also had three more attempts with over 40 skips. Russell's record attempts took place on the river Allegheny, near Pittsburgh.The Science of Skimming Stones
Oval, smooth and uniform stones are best. Your stone should be flat and fill most of the distance between thumb and forefinger. The knack is to simultaneously generate spin and forward velocity. The final piece of the equation is the angle that the stone hits the water, about 15 degrees is the best pitch for the strike.
Skimming Stones Video
The World Stone Skimming
Championships
The World Stone Skimming Championships 2010 takes place on
Sunday 26th September on Easdale Island, near Oban, Argyll, Scotland. The World Stone Skimming Championships were started in 1983 by Albert
Baker, and then stopped for a while until they were resurrected in 1997.
Contestants hail from around the world and the championships now attract
over 200 participants and many spectators. Anyone of any age and any level
of skill can enter the championships. The championships are held every year. Anyone of any age and any level of
skill can enter. Each competitor is allowed 3 skims using specially selected
Easdale slate skimming stones. For a skim to qualify the stone must bounce
at least three times - it is then judged on the distance achieved before it
sinks. Official Rules of the World Stone Skimming Championships are: 1) Skimming stones must be no more than 3" in diameter and formed
naturally of Easdale slate. 2) To qualify, the stone must bounce no less
than 3 times and stay within the designated lane as marked by the buoys. 3) Skims are judged on the distance thrown rather than the number of bounces. 4) The judges' decision is final (Even if they are wrong) This year Will and Guy wish they were entering the competition because an
'Old Tosser' category has been introduced by popular request. This new
category is for those entrants who have reached the experienced and veteran
heights of no longer being in their 50s! We would also like to point out that in Wales the championship Stone
Skimming takes place in Pembroke each August with over 200 entrants. Here we can see the beautiful backdrop of Pembroke Castle. Will remembers very clearly how Guy, Will and our friends regularly
played competitive games for the pure fun of it all. See more
about The World Stone
Skimming Championships....(vidFL2)