How to Skip Stones Like a World Record Holder

Stone_skimming_-Patagonia-9Mar2010

Skipping stones is one of the most relaxing — and simplest — activities you can do on an outing. There’s no better feeling that selecting that perfect stone, and watching it skim across the top of the water a few times.

But imagine how you would feel if your stone skipped 88 times. That’s the world record for stone skipping, set by Kurt Steiner back back in 2013 at Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. Take a look:

 

Here’s the best method we could find for successful stone skipping:

Step 1: Select a skipping stone.

The stone should be mostly flat, about the size of the palm of your hand and about the weight of a tennis ball.

Triangular stones tend to skip best.

Avoid circular stones. They’re less stable.

Step 2: Grip the stone.

Hold it with your thumb and middle finger, then firmly hook your index finger along the edge.

Your thumb goes on the top of the stone, not around the edge.

Step 3: Throw the stone.

Stand up straight, facing at a slight angle to the water.

Try to maintain this position during your entire windup and release.

The lower your hand is at the release, the better.

Throw out and down at the same time. A skipping stone is bouncing off the water, so give it plenty of downward force. Try throwing faster instead of harder — strength is not the key, quickness is.

Step 4: Release the stone.

The faster the stone is spinning, the better it will skip.

Spin it as hard as you can with a quick snap of your wrist.

The stone should hit the water parallel to the surface.

2 Comments

  1. Pish Posh my record was 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000-And Forever

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