The World Stone Skimming Championships has been competed nearly every September since 1997. Not all rock stars play guitars: every September, the Hebridean island of Easdale plays host to the world’s most fanatical stone skimmers. The mood was electric, like a rock concert, with the gathered crowd heckling support. A show-off demonstration of almost superhuman wrist skills, competitive stone skimming is a sport so unusual it can give spectators tingly fingers just watching. Lynsay McGeachy was crowned overall adult female champion in 2023 with a 42m throw. “I’m struggling to find stones to train with this year because I’ve thrown so many away,” said McGeachy. A show-off demonstration of almost superhuman wrist skills, competitive stone skimming is a sport so unusual it can give spectators tingly fingers just watching. A show-off demonstration of almost superhuman wrist skills, competitive stone skimming is a sport so unusual it can give spectators tingly fingers just watching. The 2024 contest will see challengers from five continents and 27 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. Taking place at one of Easdale’s amphitheatre-shaped flooded quarries, the championship is a low-key if unorthodox get-together organised by some of the island’s 60 residents. The 2024 contest will see challengers from five continents and 27 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. The 2024 contest will see challengers from five continents and 27 countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. “There’s so much pride and positivity on Easdale because of stone skimming,” said community doctor Kyle Mathews. Those of a more skeptical nature might suggest the idea should never have left the pub. Once prosperous due to its reputation for slate cut from its seven quarries for the global housing industry, Easdale’s primary trade fell into abrupt decline in the 1850s after a historic storm flooded the pits. “Most days, I train to make sure I don’t get injured when competing,” explained the Stirling-based economics student. “Most days, I train to make sure I don’t get injured when competing,” explained the Stirling-based economics student. “It might be the perfect stone and perfect throw, but then a rogue swell spins your attempt off-course,” said Lewis.