The History, Legends & Enduring Appeal of Stone Skimming’s Premier Event
Welcome to the official media archive of the World Stone Skimming Championships, the most comprehensive resource of this unique sporting phenomenon. Held annually on Scotland’s picturesque Easdale Island, the event blends competitive skill, tradition, and community spirit in a way that captivates participants and spectators from around the world.
From its humble beginnings in 1983 to its status as a globally recognised competition, this archive captures the essence of stone skimming—its champions, and the quirky charm that makes it truly unforgettable.
Easdale Island: The Spiritual Home of Stone Skimming
Easdale Island, once the heart of Scotland’s slate mining industry, has transformed its abandoned quarries into the perfect natural arena for the World Stone Skimming Championships. The island’s rich geological history plays a crucial role with competitors using natural Easdale slate stones, tying every throw to the island’s heritage.
More Than Competition: A Community Celebration
What began as a local fundraiser by Eilean Eisdeal (the Easdale Island Community Development Group) has grown into a global spectacle. Proceeds support vital island assets like the Community Hall, Folk Museum, and Harbour, ensuring the event benefits the island as much as the sport.
A Festival of Fun & Friendly Competition
The championships are famous for their lighthearted atmosphere, some competitors even skim in costume! It’s a family-friendly event with live music, food stalls, and a pre-skim bash the night before.
From the Pub to the World Stage: The Evolution of the Championships
The Early Years (1983–1997)
The championships were born from a pub debate in 1983, when founder Albert Baker challenged friends to see who could skim stones the farthest. After a brief hiatus, the event was revived in 1997 as a community fundraiser—and the rest is history.
Key Milestones
- 2002: Introduction of “The Bertie” award (honouring the best Easdale Island skimmer).
- 2008: Launch of the “Old Tosser” category for competitors 60+.
- 2010s: Rise of elite skimmers like Dougie Isaacs, who dominated with eight world titles.
- 2020–2022: Event paused due to COVID-19, but we made a triumphant return in 2023.
The 63-Meter Back Wall: Stone Skimming’s Ultimate Challenge
The back wall of Easdale’s slate quarry stands 63 meters from the throwing platform—a distance that has become the gold standard of competitive stone skimming. Hitting the back wall isn’t just a victory; it’s a rite of passage, a moment that etches a skimmer’s name into the sport’s history.
In the early years of the championships, reaching the wall was a rare feat, achieved only by the most skilled competitors. But today, as techniques improve and elite skimmers push the limits, more throwers than ever are conquering the 63-meter mark—proof of the sport’s growing mastery and competitive spirit.
Legends of the Sport: Record-Breakers & Iconic Moments
Multi-Time Champions
- Dougie Isaacs (Scotland) – 8-time champion & Guinness World Record holder (121.8m).
- Peter Szep (Hungary) – Back-to-back wins in 2018 & 2019.
Unforgettable Throws & Dramatic Finishes
World Stone Skimming Overall Champions (1997-Present)
| Year | Champion’s Name | Nationality | Winning Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Simon Power | Ireland | Back Wall/155m cumulative |
| 2023 | Finn Dower | Belgium and Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2019 | Peter Szep | Hungary | Back Wall |
| 2018 | Peter Szep | Hungary | Back Wall |
| 2017 | Keisuke Hashimoto | Japan | Back Wall/169m cumulative |
| 2016 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall/158m cumulative |
| 2015 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2014 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2013 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2012 | Ron Long | Wales | Back Wall |
| 2011 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2010 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2009 | David Gee | England | 54m |
| 2008 | Eric Robertson | Scotland | 54m |
| 2007 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2006 | Tony Kynn | Australia | Back Wall |
| 2005 | Dougie Isaacs | Scotland | Back Wall |
| 2004 | Andrew McKinna | Scotland | 47m |
| 2003 | Ian Brown | Scotland | 55m |
| 2002 | Alastair Judkins | New Zealand (& Easdale) | Back Wall |
| 2001 | Iain MacGregor | Australia | 65m |
| 2000 | Scott Finnie | Scotland | 54m |
| 1999 | Ian Shellcock | England | 50m |
| 1998 | Ian Shellcock | England | 53m |
| 1997 | Ian Sherriff | New Zealand | 55m |
Global Media Spotlight
Print & Digital Press Archive
Press Highlights
| Publication | Title | Year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Guardian | Experience: I’m a world champion stone skimmer | 2022 | Read |
| The Guardian | ‘It seems so simple’: can I cut it at the World Stone Skimming Championships? | 2019 | Read |
| Sky News | World Stone Skimming Championships will return to Scotland this autumn | 2023 | Read |
| The Independent | Stone skimmers of the world unite at World Championships on Scottish island | 2013 | Read |
| The Scotsman | Unique World Stone Skimming Championships on tiny Argyll island cancelled due to Covid-19 | 2022 | Read |
| The Herald | Skim it over: the world championship which leaves no turn unstoned | 2017 | Read |
| The Sunday Post | Get your rocks off: The unique story of the World Stone Skimming Championships | 2018 | Read |
| Daily Record | World stone skimming championships (Gallery) | 2013 | View |
| Daily Record | In pictures: World Stone Skimming Championships attracts 1000 visitors to tiny Scots island | 2013 | Read |
| West Coast Today | Ready, steady, throw – Stone skimmers of the world unite | 2025 | Read |
| West Coast Today | Easdale primed as stone skimming championships sell out | 2024 | Read |
| West Coast Today | Sinking feeling as stone skimming event is cancelled | 2022 | Read |
| Northern Life Magazine | The World Stone Skimming Championships are just a stones throw away | 2016 | Read |
| Atlas Obscura | Stone Skimming Is a World Champion Sport—And a Model for Spaceships | 2023 | Read |
| Intrepid Travel | Visit the site of the World Stone Skimming Championships in Scotland | 2023 | Read |
TV & Film Highlights
| Broadcaster | Title | Year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| DW | Stone skimming championship in Scotland (Video) | 2023 | Watch |
| BBC | Our Lives: Sink or Skim (Documentary) | 2019 | Watch |
| BBC The One Show | Ryan Hand – World Stone Skimming Championships – BBC The One Show | 2024 | Watch |
| Channel 5 | Secret Scotland with Susan Calman, Season 3, Episode 9 | 2019 | Watch |
Radio & Podcast Highlights
| Show | Title | Year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| The World from PRX | World’s stone skimming championship | 2024 | Listen |
| Freakonomics Podcast | Kurt Steiner – Stone Skipping – Freakonomics Podcast | 2016 | Listen |
Video Highlights
| Platform | Title | Year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube | World Stone Skimming Championships, 2023 Alex Lewis Qualification Throws | 2023 | Watch |
| YouTube | 2024 World Stone Skimming Championships Event Start | 2024 | Watch |
| YouTube (RockSkipPanda) | 100 Days to Easdale – 2025 | The Journey to the World Stone Skimming Championships | 2025 | Watch |
| YouTube | 2024 Three Stone Toss-Off and sudden death death-toss. | 2024 | Watch |
| YouTube (Stone Skipper) | Kurt Mountain-Man Steiner / Stone Skipping (Playlist) | 2023 | Watch |
| YouTube (Roddy Macleod’s Blog) | World Stone Skimming Championships | 2019 | Watch |
The World Stone Skimming Championships are more than a sport—they’re a celebration of community, tradition, and the simple joy of watching your stone fly towards the back-wall. Whether you’re a future competitor, a fan, or a curious traveller, this event offers something truly special.
Will you be our next champion?
Easdale Island
Near Oban, Scotland, PA34 4TB
6th September
11am – 11pm
@worldstoneskimmingchampionship
