World stone skimming championship held
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
400 challengers from 30 countries competed on Easdale Island for the World Stone Skimming Championship.
The event's strict rules and elite competitors may surprise casual skimmers.
Background
The World Stone Skimming Championship is held annually on Easdale Island in Scotland, one of the Slate Islands. It began in 1983 after a pub conversation and has been held every year since 1997 except during Covid. Stones must come from Easdale and be less than three inches in diameter, tested by passing through the Ring of Truth. This year, an official tournament geologist was appointed after a cheating scandal was exposed by the Mail.
How it unfolded
- 1983The contest was first held, inspired by an alcohol-fuelled conversation in a pub.
- 1997The championship has been held every year since, apart from an interlude during Covid.
- 2018Dougie Isaacs set the current world distance record of nearly 400ft (122m) in Wales.
- recentlyThe 2026 championship took place on Easdale Island with 400 competitors from over 30 countries. Jonny Jennings was seen clutching the trophy, and Toss Master Kyle Mathews noted an official tournament geologist was appointed this year.
Who’s saying what
- Organizer
- Toss Master Kyle Mathews cautioned that many people are in for a shock when they see how good the real competitors are.
- Participant
- Andy Reynolds, who survived a stroke on a Teams call, is competing to raise funds and awareness.
- Public
- Jonny Jennings, clutching the trophy, engaged in mind games by asking 'Want to touch it?'
Still unverified
The specific details of the cheating scandal are not fully described in the material; it is only mentioned that the Mail exposed competition cheats.