Frances always seems to find it funny when I skim stones, but it’s always been a mandatory part of visiting a beach for me. I was intrigued to discover that the world stone skimming championships are taking place today in Easdale. Sorry, but “skiting” just doesn’t work for me: It’s skimming.
The fun of skimming stones is manifold. First, there’s the thrill of finding the perfect skimming stone. Something flat, rounded, and the right sort of size is a joy to find. The challenge is harder on beaches with large pebbles, pure sand, or odd shaped rocks. Then there’s the the throw itself, with height above the water level, angle of incident to the water, and how hard to throw it. Too hard and it’ll either bounce once and whoosh off, or gloop straight in. Too soft and it won’t get far enough.
My brother, father and I always tried to get the maximum number of skims possible. Of course, counting the skims is more a matter of estimation than pure fact. But combining a great number of skims with a long distance was very rewarding.
One of my biggest regrets from childhood comes about through this. My brother and I were playing in the garden, and I came across an absolutely beautiful skimming stone. White, just the right size and beautifully rounded. Of course, we were nowhere near a suitable expanse of water, so I saved it up for the next visit to my grandparents on the Isle of Wight. Of course, I forgot it a few times, but eventually took it along somewhere – I don’t recall where, because what happened next is so galling. Despite practising with other stones, when I finally threw this gem of a stone, it glooped on the first bounce. A massive disappointment, I can assure you. Well, for a minute or two anyway.
That’s the great thing about skimming stones – you can just keep going on and on in the quest for the perfect skimming stone, and absolutely anybody can take part.
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September 27th, 2005 at 11:08 am
I followed a lead from Roger’s site and lo and behold:
“But it’s those fun-loving people in the Netherlands who should have the last word – the phrase for skimming stones is as light-hearted as the action: plimpplampplettere.”
I have ’skimmed’ for years and can say ’skimmed’ but ‘plimpplampplettere’!!
January 8th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
I couldn’t agree more with the above sentiments.Stone skimming is one of life’s great & most simple pleasures.This weekend i visited Loch Lomen with a bunch of friends & was delighted to find what could only be described as a skimmer’s paradise,calm & still water stretched out all around us.This,along with some very suitable stones lining the shore made for the most delightful afternoon i’ve had in a long time & has inspired me to embark on a pilgrimage to next year’s championships at Easdale…