The World Stone Skimming Championships were started in 1983 by Albert Baker, and then lay fallow until they were resurrected in 1997 by the Eilean Eisdeal (The Easdale Island Community Development Group) as a fundraising event.
Easdale Island is the smallest permanently inhabited island of the Inner Hebrides. It was once the centre of a thriving Scottish slate mining industry, and one of the disused quarries forms a perfect arena for the World Stone Skimming 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.
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.
Features of previous Championships have included:
craft and bric-a-brac stalls
films for kids
stilt walker
exclusive World Stone Skiming Championship design T-shirts and hats - featuring logo design and slogan from Easdale Primary School
barbeque
pre-skim party
The World Stone Skimming Cup is presented to the over-all winner, and the Sea-fari Salver for the best women's skim. There are also slate medals going to the best junior skim and 2nd and 3rd runner-up in each category. 2002 saw the launch of a new award, 'the Bertie', named after the event's founder, presented to the Easdale Islander who skims the furthest.
Old Tosser category. This category is 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.
